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I mean the federation has no real ground forces, just starfleet.

I don't think many ground vehicles would be viable in the Star Trek universe. But it would be nice if they upped the ante on their security teams though. Like up their tactics and whatnot. For everyone. Granted, fight scenes weren't usually the backbone of the entertainment but it'd be nice if it was a little more "realistic".

" don't think many ground vehicles would be viable in the Star Trek universe."


Why?

I think technology is to the point where the amount of resources you'd require to keep such vehicles safe would leave you with pretty much a land shuttlecraft. So why not just heavy up some shuttlecrafts? Also, at that point, when one of these tanks do explode the explosion would wipe out a lot of people.

The dunebuggy thing was okay, though in the context it was pretty goofy, because it's fast and lightweight. You can get troops in quickly, maybe put a small forcefield on it. If transporting doesn't work that is.

Yeah but we still need groundfrce, Starfleet is just not enough.

Originally posted by Doctor-Alvis
I think technology is to the point where the amount of resources you'd require to keep such vehicles safe would leave you with pretty much a land shuttlecraft. So why not just heavy up some shuttlecrafts? Also, at that point, when one of these tanks do explode the explosion would wipe out a lot of people.^This. And I think the Runabouts, Delta Flyer, and other heavy support craft pretty much prove that simple shuttlecraft aren't Starfleets only air superiority ships.

Seriously, with the level of technology that we see in Trek (sensors able to target huge groups or individuals from orbit, or transporters for example) ground force simply aren't as important as space/air superiority. Besides that, the Dominion War states the existence of ground soldiers, we just aren't given the specifics of size how they operate. We know the technology they use, however, from previous episodes.

They canat station Starships above every planet, sometimes they have to occupy planets.

Originally posted by Shey Tapani
They canat station Starships above every planet, sometimes they have to occupy planets. Occupation really doesn't align with Starfleet or the Federations way of working. They don't conquer planets; they're a peacekeeping and defense force. However, as I stated above, the Federation has ground forces numbering in the millions, which have been referred to in several Ds9 episodes.

What if they have to occupy one until the new just government is set up?

The Federation does have elite forces like "Space Marines", they're just not abroad the exploration vessels. They're essentially just higher combat trained Federation personnel.

Unless the story involves a war, I don't see a need to bring this in. Besides, there's nothing Cpt. Kirk can't handle himself with a punch and/or kiss.

"Unless the story involves a war,"

There were many wars in Trek.