Argama

Overview

The Argama is the lead ship of the Argama-class assault space cruisers featured in Mobile Suit Zeta Gundam and Mobile Suit Gundam ZZ. Constructed by Anaheim Electronics for the Anti-Earth Union Group (AEUG), the vessel serves as the primary flagship and mobile suit carrier for the organization throughout the Gryps Conflict and the First Neo Zeon War. Designed with inspiration from the One Year War's legendary White Base, command of the ship was held successively by Henken Bekkener and Bright Noa.

Appearance

The Argama measures 323 meters in length. It is equipped with open catapult decks on both flanks and features a mobile suit hangar divided into upper and lower tiers. Externally, block-shaped living quarters are mounted on extendable arms. The sides of the hull feature circular shutters reminiscent of the White Base. Propulsion is provided by three main engines located at the stern on the left, right, and center. Its fixed installations include single gun turrets on the upper and lower hull and a missile launcher behind the bridge.

Abilities

The Argama functions primarily as a mobile suit carrier, capable of accommodating six units standard and up to eight or more using additional staging space. It can execute atmospheric entry using specialized ballute packs, and later retrofits added a Minovsky Craft system for sustained atmospheric flight. Originally equipped with side-mounted mega particle cannons and four single gun turrets without integrated anti-aircraft armaments, subsequent modifications upgraded the main firepower to a Hyper Mega Particle Cannon and added anti-aircraft laser guns.

Background

Secretly constructed through collaboration between the AEUG and Anaheim Electronics, the ship was officially named Argama by chairman Melanie Hue Carbine. During the Gryps Conflict, under captains Henken Bekkener and Bright Noa, it operated as the main base for key pilots such as Kamille Bidan and Quattro Bajeena. After suffering extensive damage, the ship docked at the Shangri-La colony at the start of the First Neo Zeon War, taking on Judau Ashta and his companions as replacement crew. Following major retrofits at La Vie en Rose and Granada for Earth-bound operations, the vessel descended to Earth and was eventually handed over to the allied organization Karaba, while its crew transferred to the newly constructed Nahel Argama.

Relationships

Conceived under AEUG leader Blex Forer and named by Anaheim Electronics chairman Melanie Hue Carbine, the ship was commanded first by Henken Bekkener and later by Bright Noa. Its complement of pilots included Kamille Bidan, Quattro Bajeena, and Judau Ashta, supported by chief mechanic Astonage Medoz. Towards the end of its service, the vessel was transferred to the Earth-based allied organization Karaba, with the original crew relocating to the successor ship Nahel Argama. Sister vessels of the same class include the Pegasus III, Nikaya, and Yulong.

Trivia

The name "Argama" originates from a Sanskrit word meaning "tradition" or "transmitted scriptures," referring to the Agama sutras in Buddhism. AEUG leader Blex Forer originally proposed naming the vessel "White Base II," but this was overridden by Anaheim Electronics chairman Melanie Hue Carbine. The ship's complete lack of anti-aircraft defenses during initial deployment was due to its secret construction utilizing misallocated Jupiter fleet funds, necessitating a design that hid its military nature. In the game Super Robot Taisen Alpha Gaiden, the vessel is eventually renamed the "Loran Cehack" and repurposed as a passenger transport between the Moon and Earth.