Planetary defense forces were the military units directly governed by a local planetary government rather than under a galactic government control and were distinct from any centralized military.
Although the Galactic Republic lacked a standing military, its member worlds had their own defense forces, like the Coruscant Home Defense Fleet. Many planetary defense forces fought in the Clone Wars, including the Royal Onderon Militia, Mon Calamari Guard, and Umbaran Militia. Local flight acadamies trained planetary defense forces during the Republic Era. Prior to the Clone Wars, the planet Kerkoidia had its own Kerkoidian Defense Force that was led by General Whorm Loathsom.
The A280 blaster rifle was a common standard-issue weapon among some planetary defense forces during the Galactic Republic era, though many would use equipment unique to their homeworlds.
During the reign of the Galactic Empire, local flight academies that had been previously used to serve planetary defense forces were nationalized and produced cadets for the Imperial Navy. The planet Botajef utilized the Botajef Defense Force, while Corellia used both the Corellian Defense Force as well as the Corellian Security Forces. Another planetary defense force during this time was the Virujansi Rarified Air Cavalry, which served the planet Virujansi until it was dissolved by the Empire.
In the aftermath of the New Republic's victory over the remnants of the Galactic Empire, the Senate passed the Military Disarmament Act. While the act kept the New Republic Defense Fleet as the largest defense force in the galaxy, it greatly reduced its size and capabilities, as the New Republic preferred to bolster the training and funding for the local planetary defense forces.
In addition, the end of the Galactic Empire saw the local flight academies return to the service of planetary defense forces, having previously serviced the Imperial Navy.
The Mykapo system had its own planetary defense force that was led by Idrosen Gawat.
Some thirty years after the defeat of the Galactic Empire, its remnants had rebuilt themselves into the militarized First Order. Frustrated by the Senate's refusal to see the First Order as a threat and to take military action, General Leia Organa formed the Resistance, a private military force. She recruited from both the New Republic's military and the planetary defense forces, many whose worlds saw the worst of the Empire's oppression and were eager to fight against its resurgence.
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