TIE Defender

Starfighter · Galactic Empire

TIE Defender

The Empire's toughest TIE: three wings, deflector shields, a hyperdrive and missiles, tested on Lothal.

Model
TIE/D Defender
Maker
Sienar Fleet Systems
Length
9.2 m
Crew
1 pilot
Shields
yes
Armament
Heavy cannons · Wing missile launchers

Galactic EmpireCompare on the scale

Overview

The TIE Defender is the Empire's attempt to build a TIE that can take a hit. Sienar Fleet Systems' single-seat starfighter swaps the familiar twin panels for three wings, and adds deflector shields and a hyperdrive, two things the standard TIE leaves out[1]. Like every TIE it carries a lone pilot, but that pilot is far better protected.

It makes its screen debut in Star Wars Rebels, where Grand Admiral Thrawn backs the programme at the Imperial factory on Lothal[7][4]. Heavy cannons and wing-mounted missile launchers give it the firepower to match its armour[1][2].

The pilots who fly it are among the best known in Rebels. The ace Vult Skerris takes the experimental model into the Archeon Nebula and later flies the upgraded Defender Elite[3], while Sabine Wren gets the prototype into the air on Lothal[2].

Length 9.2 m

Side and top views to scale. For comparison: Human

How it flies and fights

The Defender is built to survive. Its deflector shields and built-in hyperdrive set it apart from the standard TIE, which has neither[1]. The ship is about 9.2 metres long and carries a single pilot[10].

Heavy cannons and missile launchers on the wings make up its armament[1]. The Defender Elite, the upgraded prototype, is faster, more agile and better armed than the first model, and is described with six missiles[2]. The whole design is the product of Thrawn's programme at the Lothal factory[7], which competes with the Death Star for Imperial funding[6].

Who flew it

Chronicle

Key moments in the ship's life, in story order. Spoilers stay hidden until you mark the title as watched in the timeline.

  1. ≈ 2 BBY

    Star Wars Rebels

    Thrawn's new-fighter programme at the Imperial factory on Lothal produces the TIE Defender prototypes[7].

  2. ≈ 2 BBY

    Star Wars Rebels

    Vult Skerris flies an experimental Defender against the Ghost and Gold Squadron in the Archeon Nebula[3].

  3. ≈ 1 BBY

    Star Wars Rebels

    Spoiler from Star Wars RebelsShowyou've watched it

    The rebels watch a Defender test at the Imperial base on Lothal. With Thrawn looking on, Sabine takes the prototype and rescues Ezra, then crashes it, keeping its hyperdrive and flight recorder[4].

  4. ≈ 1 BBY

    Star Wars Rebels

    The Defender programme competes for Imperial funding with Krennic's Stardust project, the Death Star[6].

  5. ≈ 1 BBY

    Star Wars Rebels

    Spoiler from Star Wars RebelsShowyou've watched it

    In Phoenix Squadron's attack on the Lothal blockade, Hera Syndulla lures Skerris into losing his shields, then shoots down his Defender Elite[3].

Where it flew

Where to see the TIE Defender

Films, series and games with the TIE Defender, in story order.

Variants

Behind the scenes

  1. The Defender began as a starfighter from the old Legends continuity. It entered canon through the mobile game Star Wars: Commander in late November 2014, then appeared on screen in Rebels[9].
  2. Its main showcase is the Rebels season 4 episode 'Flight of the Defender' (30 October 2017), co-written by Dave Filoni and Steven Melching, with Lars Mikkelsen as the voice of Thrawn[5].

Did you know

TIE Defender: questions and answers

How big is the TIE Defender?

The TIE Defender is about 9.2 metres long, a little shorter than a city bus[10]. It carries a single pilot, with shields, a hyperdrive, heavy cannons and wing missiles packed into that hull[1][2].

Does the TIE Defender have shields and a hyperdrive?

Yes. Unlike a standard TIE fighter, the Defender has deflector shields and a built-in hyperdrive, which makes it much harder to destroy[1]. The Defender Elite adds speed, agility and firepower on top[2].

Who flies the TIE Defender?

Vult Skerris, an ace and Skystrike Academy instructor, flies the experimental Defender and the Defender Elite[3]. Sabine Wren also flies the prototype in Star Wars Rebels, with Ezra Bridger at her side[2][8].

Same fleet

Sources

  1. TIE Defender - StarWars.com Databank
  2. TIE Defender Elite - StarWars.com Databank
  3. Vult Skerris - StarWars.com Databank
  4. Flight of the Defender review - Den of Geek
  5. Flight of the Defender - The Logbook
  6. Flight of the Defender - Monkeys Fighting Robots
  7. TIE/D Defender - Wookieepedia
  8. superherohype.com
  9. TIE — Wookieepedia
  10. TIE — Wookieepedia