The technicians of the Republic are fully aware that even if the project progresses smoothly, the first generation of Republic-made MDS would only solve the issue of availability. Compared to the mature and experienced Empire, they still had a lot to catch up on. This process would take generations, maybe even forever.
Such is the objective law of scientific development. The willpower and determination of an individual or even an entire nation might accelerate the process to some extent, but it can never overturn the cross-era technological disparity overnight or subvert this law.
But time waits for no one, and the Empire will certainly not stand idly by watching their former subordinate rise again right before their eyes. Facing the inevitable great war, the Republic has no time to methodically research and catch up. The only way out is to adopt a different approach, make certain compromises in design, and create a model that meets the needs of future warfare.
