Movies

The Ultimate Ranking of 20 Iconic Imperial Star Wars Ships You Can’t Miss!

BBG News

The strength of a malevolent empire is directly tied to its navy, and this principle holds true for the Galactic Empire at the heart of the franchise. Ever since the debut of Star Wars: A New Hope in 1977, viewers have been captivated by the meticulous design and overwhelming might of the Empire’s battle fleets. The Imperial navy has delivered some of the most exhilarating moments and heart-stopping scenes throughout the entire movie saga, symbolizing the wickedness and advanced technology of the galaxy’s darkest alliance.

As a devoted cinema enthusiast, I can’t help but marvel at how iconic designs by artists such as Ralph McQuarrie and Colin Cantwell have transformed “Star Wars” from an ordinary sci-fi blockbuster into an immersive, enchanting cinematic universe that still thrives today. From the captivating animation to live-action series, fresh ships keep joining the ranks of the timeless classics. Ranging from the agile TIE Fighters to the awe-inspiring Star Destroyers, the “Star Wars” galaxy is teeming with an array of vessels that continue to enthrall audiences.

Originally posted on June 27, 2025 by Guillermo Kurten: It’s not surprising that the creators of Star Wars have meticulously designed the various spaceships in the galaxy far, far away. The Imperial era alone boasts a wide array of ships, each with essential roles. This article has been expanded to cover five additional notable vessels from the Empire’s fleet.

It’s an Overlooked But Crucial Cog in the Empire’s Machine

One often-used ship in the Empire’s armada, the Imperial Troop Transport, offers a glimpse into an aspect of the Empire seldom discussed: its reliance on the tireless efforts of countless stormtroopers. Consequently, vessels like the Imperial Transport play a crucial role in the Empire’s regular operations. They serve various purposes and even transport prisoners as part of their duties.

Starting at position 15 due to its limited functionalities, this IT is still worth considering for its raw, unrefined brutality. Its blocky design boasts heavy armor, minimizing windows and featuring a large gun installed on top. It serves as the Empire’s counterpart to armored helicopters, capable of deploying from larger naval vessels and delivering troops to critical locations. The presence of an IT on a planet is indicative of potential danger, and it embodies the iron-fisted rule the Empire maintains across the galaxy.

Multiple Star Wars Factions Made Use of This Model Ship

Much like the Imperial Transport, the Gozanti-class Cruiser played a crucial role in the Empire’s oppressive regime, despite lacking the aesthetic appeal to draw attention. The Imperials utilized this starship both as a freighter and a cruiser, transporting Stormtroopers and essential supplies. Despite its non-combative appearance, it was equipped with weapons and defenses for self-protection. The Gozanti-class Cruiser proved reliable in adhering to these functions and could be armed with laser cannons and turrets for offensive capabilities.

Additionally, it can carry up to four TIE Fighter starships among other types of cargo it’s tasked with transporting. The Gozanti-class Cruiser’s usefulness is underscored by its versatility, which has been evident both within the Empire and across various factions in the Star Wars universe. This ship has been used by several groups, such as the Black Sun – a crime syndicate that joined forces with the Shadow Collective – during the Clone Wars, the Confederacy, and the First Order and its supporters during the Star Wars sequel trilogy. Although it may lack style, it has proven to be an indispensable workhorse.

This Unique Star Wars Cruiser Was Versatile

Initially, observant viewers spotted the Cantwell Class-Arrestor Cruiser during the early scenes of ‘Solo: A Star Wars Story’. In an attempt to avoid Stormtroopers, Han Solo noticed a promotional material displaying a cruiser sandwiched between two Star Destroyers. However, it wasn’t until episode 11 of the first season of ‘Andor’ that viewers got to witness this ship in action, as it unsuccessfully pursued Luthen inside his Fondor Haulcraft.

Although it may seem otherwise, based on its appearance, the Arrestor Cruiser is a powerful vessel. Its design features a prolonged front section shaped like an upside-down arrowhead. The Arrestor Cruiser is equipped with ion and laser cannons, two docking bays for boarding craft, and two squadrons of TIE Fighters. However, its most distinctive features are the three massive repulsor-tractor beam emitters, resembling dishes. These weapons allow the Arrestor to draw in ships or keep them at bay if the captain wishes to maintain a distance while bombarding them with cannon fire.

This Variant of Star Wars’ TIE Leaned Harder on Firepower

Among Star Wars enthusiasts, it’s the iconic TIE Fighter, even Darth Vader’s personal ship, that stands out the most. But remember, the Empire didn’t just rely on one type; they utilized several variations. The TIE Heavy Starfighter, often referred to as the “TIE/rb” or the “TIE Brute,” was a significant departure from its standard counterparts. This heavier model was equipped with a life support system, reinforced windows for increased protection, and stronger laser cannons compared to typical versions.

In the film “Solo: A Star Wars Story,” we first saw this type of TIE fighter, with Han Solo flying one as a cadet at the Carida Academy and later being pursued by one in the Millennium Falcon. The TIE Heavy Starfighter stands out for its enhanced toughness and powerful weaponry, but this strength does come with a compromise: it’s not as swift or nimble as other models such as the standard TIE Fighter or the Striker variant.

The Outland Is the Non-Navy Model of the TIE Fighter

The design for this TIE fighter was initially created by Doug Chiang for The Force Awakens, but it wasn’t used in that movie. However, it eventually attracted Jon Favreau’s attention for The Mandalorian. This led to the first appearance of the Outland TIE in Moff Gideon’s personal TIE Fighter. In season two, Outland TIE fighters attacked Cara Dune and Greef Karga as they escaped the Remnant Outpost on Nevarro.

It seems that the Outland TIE fighter may have been created during a time when the Empire was experiencing territorial losses. Given its features like foldable wings and retractable landing gear, it’s plausible to assume that this design appealed to the Empire due to its ability to launch and land without requiring Imperial ships or large facilities. This allows for deployment from smaller bases and rapid mobilization, which could have been beneficial during times when the Empire was struggling to maintain control.

This Star Wars Imperial Shuttle Caught a Rogue One Villain’s Eye

Among the intriguing recent antagonists in the “Star Wars” saga, Director Orson Krennic favored the Delta-Class T-3c Shuttle as his preferred transport. Often referred to as the Delta-class Shuttle, this spacecraft showcased a more modern and angular aesthetic. What set this Imperial starship apart from others was its distinctive bat-winged design and all-black color scheme.

Originally designed for some other purpose, the Delta-Class T-3c Shuttle gained prominence when Director Krennic took interest in it. This vessel made its cinematic debut in the movie “Rogue One: A Star Wars Story”. Equipped with laser cannons on both the underside and wings, this ship is particularly renowned for its stealth features. The dark, sleek design and foldable wings allow for covert travel and landing. It may not rely on brute force or ostentatious display, but it serves its understated purpose admirably.

TIE Strikers Were Built for Atmospheric Warfare

The variant of the TIE Striker effectively filled a valuable role within the Empire’s weaponry collection. Its distinctive, needle-like wing structure was a defining characteristic, designed to support its function as an atmospheric fighter focusing on air dominance rather than a typical starfighter. The TIE Striker stood out due to its exceptional speed and agility in flight.

In addition to their powerful weapons, they possessed four lasers and could unleash proton bombs over wide areas. The TIE Striker was designed for Gareth Edwards’ movie “Rogue One: A Star Wars Story,” with the Battle of Scarif being its most well-known on-screen battle. It was even capable of functioning as a starfighter, but it wasn’t optimized for that role like a ship specifically designed for it. Unfortunately, this meant the TIE Striker’s limited versatility didn’t make it as universally useful as other models from the same era.

Stubborn Defenses & Fearsome Weapons Made TIE Defenders a Threat

The TIE Defender was a reliable warship in the Imperial fleet, as depicted in the Star Wars universe. The character Morgan Elsbeth from Dathomir initially designed it, and Grand Admiral Thrawn approved its manufacturing as part of his undertakings. One of its most remarkable displays of power occurred on the animated series, Star Wars Rebels, where a preliminary TIE Defender tracked down Mon Mothma. In an attempt to reach her, pilot Vult Skerris swiftly defeated three Y-wing pilots from Gold Squadron in the Archeon Nebula.

Notably, the TIE Defender managed to endure the fierce heat emanating from a developing star during pursuit, demonstrating its remarkable resilience. Its distinctive three-wing design is immediately attention-grabbing, but it’s the ship’s additional deflector shields, cannons, and hyperdrive that truly set it apart, making it equally formidable in offensive and defensive roles. As depicted in Rebels, these features enhanced its ability to engage in prolonged, high-intensity dogfights against starfighters. The praise bestowed upon the ship by Darth Vader, coupled with the deployment of an advanced prototype, underscores its exceptional construction. However, the substantial resources needed for mass production have restricted its applications.

The Last Vestiges of the Star Wars Republic Lie Here

In the world of Star Wars: The Clone Wars, the Arquitens-class Light Cruiser, often referred to as the Jedi Light Cruiser, was a significant vessel. This ship was a workhorse during the conflict against the Separatists. While its Imperial counterpart may appear differently, the design is largely similar. Distinctive features include the vibrant red accents on the Jedi Light Cruiser compared to the somber grey of the Imperial version.

This cruiser maintains an arrowhead shape characteristic of Imperial designs, differing from larger bridge structures found on Star Destroyers and the double bridge layouts on Republic Venator-class Star Destroyers. Instead, it has a compact, solitary bridge positioned towards the rear. These Imperial Light Cruisers were frequently deployed in Star Wars battles, with Admiral Thrawn skillfully utilizing them during his tenure within the Empire.

Fans First Saw Its Canon Appearance In Star Wars Rebels

The Imperial Navy’s Interdictor-Class Heavy Cruiser serves as a significant weapon. It boasts four spherical structures that serve as gravity-well projectors. Essentially, these projectors allow the Interdictor to establish areas of gravitational force, which can hinder spaceships from entering hyperspace. When skillfully employed, it can even manipulate gravity to draw ships out of hyperspace. Consequently, the rebels, who heavily rely on swift and evasive tactics, view the Interdictor as a formidable weapon within the Imperial Navy’s inventory.

Apart from unique features like gravity-well projectors and a bridge tower with a squat and elongated shape, the design of the Interdictor resembles common themes found in the Empire’s larger spacecraft. The Interdictor was equipped with just two squadrons of TIE Fighters, a small contingent of troops, and a robust arsenal. Serving as a support vessel, its purpose was to collaborate effectively with other ships within a battle group.

Read More

2025-07-06 00:23

Previous post Fantastic Four star Julian McMahon dies: Nicolas Cage leads tributes to “most talented of actors”
Next post Jackie Chan’s Secret 7-Movie Franchise Revealed