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Londo Bell

Elite special forces unit of the Earth Federation established to combat anti-Federation insurgencies.
Jenxi Seow Published 17 Jun 2025 Updated 17 Jun 2025
Londo Bell

Londo Bell was an elite special forces unit of the Earth Federation Forces established in UC 0090 to investigate and combat anti-Federation activities. Created as a replacement for the disbanded Titans, Londo Bell served as the Federation’s primary counter-insurgency force throughout the 0090s and into the early UC 0120s.

The name “Londo Bell” came from “the bell of Londenion (the old name of London meaning ‘wasteland’)”, and also meant “one who rings the alarm bell in times of emergency”. The unit was designed to function as the tip of the Federation’s spear in the event of major insurgencies, particularly Zeon uprisings.

History

Formation and early years

Londo Bell was established on 21 March UC 0090, in the aftermath of the First Neo Zeon War. The Earth Federation recognised the need for a specialised counter-insurgency unit to replace the disbanded Titans, who had been destroyed during the Gryps Conflict. Unlike the Titans, who had become increasingly autonomous and authoritarian, Londo Bell was deliberately designed with limited autonomy and was kept to approximately one-tenth the size of the Titans at their peak.

The unit’s headquarters were established in the Londenion colony at Side 1. The organisation’s initial personnel were largely recruited from former AEUG and Karaba members, many of whom had previously served under Bright Noa during the anti-Titans resistance. This composition was intentional, as these veterans had demonstrated their commitment to preventing the abuse of power that had characterised the Titans.

Bright Noa was appointed as the unit’s commanding officer, with ace pilot Amuro Ray leading the mobile suit combat squadrons. However, the Earth Federation maintained strict oversight of Londo Bell’s operations, reflecting lingering concerns about creating another autonomous military force that might follow in the Titans’ footsteps.

During its early years, Londo Bell spent most of its time inspecting space colonies for remnant Zeon supporters and conducting small-scale anti-terrorism operations. The unit operated primarily in outer space, only being deployed to Earth under special circumstances. This operational focus distinguished it from the Titans, who had increasingly focused their efforts on suppressing colonial independence movements.

Second Neo Zeon War

In UC 0091, Londo Bell engaged Titans remnants at Side 1, successfully destroying the experimental MRX-013-3 Psycho Gundam Mk-IV G-Doors deployed by the former Titans forces.

The unit’s most significant test came in UC 0093 with the outbreak of the Second Neo Zeon War. When Char Aznable returned from his disappearance following the Gryps War and declared himself the new leader of Neo Zeon, the Federation rapidly expanded Londo Bell’s size in anticipation of armed conflict. This expansion was backed by high-level government official John Bauer, who recognised the gravity of Char’s threat.

During the Second Neo Zeon War, Londo Bell’s fleet consisted of four vessels: three Clop-class cruisers (the Ra Zyme, Ra Kiem, and Ra Chutter) and the flagship Ra Cailum. The task force’s mobile suit complement included 18 RGM-89 Jegans, one RGZ-91 Re-GZ, and Amuro Ray’s personal RX-93 ν Gundam.

Remarkably, Londo Bell was the only active Federation group that saw major action against Char’s forces throughout most of the conflict, with regular Federation reinforcements arriving only near the war’s end. Despite being significantly outnumbered, the unit successfully prevented Char’s plan to drop the Axis asteroid onto Earth, though at great cost. Both Amuro Ray and technical officer Astonaige Medoz were killed in action during the final battle.

Later operations

By UC 0096, Londo Bell had been reorganised and expanded following the Second Neo Zeon War. The unit re-commissioned the former AEUG battleship Nahel Argama, which had been extensively upgraded for Londo Bell service. The ship was equipped with eight RGZ-95 ReZELs, five RGM-89 Jegans, and one MSN-001A1 Delta Plus.

During the Laplace Incident, Londo Bell successfully engaged the Neo Zeon remnant faction known as “The Sleeves”, destroying their shipyards, insurgency cells, and most of their fleet. The unit played a crucial role in the events surrounding Laplace’s Box, though this involvement would later lead to political consequences for the organisation.

Decline and dissolution

During the UC 0120s, Londo Bell saw limited action against the Crossbone Vanguard during the Cosmo Babylonia War. The unit possessed two RX-99 Neo Gundams at this time, though both were destroyed in battle against the Crossbone Vanguard while serving aboard the battleship Bladewood. This engagement marked the last recorded major action of Londo Bell.

Following the reintegration of the Republic of Zeon into the Earth Federation in UC 0100, the Federation massively scaled back Londo Bell’s funding and personnel. With the perceived end of Zeonism as a major threat, Federation leadership believed that maintaining such a large counter-insurgency force was no longer necessary. The unit continued to exist for several years, dealing with smaller terrorist groups and minor threats.

However, by UC 0120, Londo Bell had been reduced to a very small special forces group, a fraction of its former size. When Mars Zeon emerged as a threat during the F90 Project, it was a regular Federation fleet rather than a Londo Bell task force that was dispatched to Mars. Following the Cosmo Babylonia War, Londo Bell was likely disbanded entirely during the thirty-year period of relative peace that followed.

Organisation

Command structure

Londo Bell operated under a traditional military hierarchy, with a commanding officer at its head reporting directly to the Earth Federation Forces high command. The unit’s structure was deliberately designed to prevent the concentration of power that had characterised the Titans.

Bright Noa served as the organisation’s commanding officer throughout its active period, from UC 0090 to at least UC 0096. His appointment was both practical and symbolic, as his experience commanding diverse crews and his reputation for principled leadership made him an ideal choice to lead the new organisation.

The command structure included specialised divisions for different operational requirements:

  • Mobile suit combat squadrons, initially led by Amuro Ray
  • Technical and maintenance divisions
  • Intelligence and investigation units
  • Fleet operations and logistics

Personnel composition

Londo Bell’s personnel were deliberately recruited from former AEUG and Karaba members, many of whom had previously served under Bright Noa during the anti-Titans resistance. This composition served multiple purposes: it provided experienced personnel who understood the importance of preventing military overreach, and it helped build trust with colonial populations who had suffered under Titans oppression.

The unit’s recruitment policies emphasised competence and loyalty to Federation principles rather than political connections or elite military academy backgrounds. This approach contrasted sharply with the Titans’ elitist recruitment practices.

Operational doctrine

Due to bitter memories of the conflict against the Titans, Londo Bell strove to carry out all missions in strict accordance with established Rules of Engagement and as humanely as possible. The unit’s operational doctrine emphasised precision strikes against specific threats rather than the broad suppression tactics favoured by the Titans.

Unlike the Titans, who increasingly operated on Earth and in the colonies, Londo Bell primarily functioned in outer space, only being deployed to Earth under special circumstances. This operational focus reflected both the unit’s intended role as a counter-insurgency force and the Federation’s desire to limit its terrestrial activities.

Military capabilities

Fleet composition

Londo Bell’s fleet composition varied significantly over time, reflecting the unit’s changing role and the Federation’s fluctuating commitment to counter-insurgency operations.

During the early 0090s, the unit operated with a relatively small fleet suitable for patrol and investigation duties. However, the outbreak of the Second Neo Zeon War prompted rapid expansion, with the unit receiving some of the Federation’s most advanced vessels.

At its peak during the Second Neo Zeon War, Londo Bell’s fleet included:

  • 1 Ra Cailum-class battleship (Ra Cailum)
  • 3 Clop-class cruisers (Ra Zyme, Ra Kiem, Ra Chutter)

By UC 0096, the fleet had been reorganised to include:

  • 1 Ra Cailum-class battleship (Ra Cailum)
  • 1 Nahel Argama-class assault landing ship (Nahel Argama)
  • Additional support vessels (exact composition unknown)

Mobile suit forces

Londo Bell’s mobile suit complement reflected the Federation’s most advanced technologies and typically included both mass-production units and limited-production machines for elite pilots.

During the Second Neo Zeon War, the unit operated:

By UC 0096, the mobile suit roster had been updated to include:

  • 8 RGZ-95 ReZELs (advanced transformable mobile suits)
  • 5 RGM-89 Jegans (updated variants)
  • 1 MSN-001A1 Delta Plus (experimental unit)
  • 3 RGM-96X Jestas (elite mobile suits)

During the UC 0120s, Londo Bell briefly operated two RX-99 Neo Gundams, though both were lost in action against the Crossbone Vanguard.

Notable commanders and pilots

Londo Bell attracted some of the Federation’s most experienced and capable personnel, many of whom had distinguished themselves in previous conflicts.

Command Staff:

  • Bright Noa - Commanding Officer
  • Otto Midas - Captain of the Nahel Argama

Elite Pilots:

  • Amuro Ray - Mobile suit squadron leader and ν Gundam pilot
  • Riddhe Marcenas - ReZEL pilot and heir to the influential Marcenas family
  • Nigel Garrett - Leader of the Tri-Stars mobile suit team

Technical Personnel:

  • Chan Agi - Technical officer and Amuro Ray’s assistant
  • Astonaige Medoz - Chief technical officer
  • Mihiro Oiwakken - Communications officer aboard the Nahel Argama

Behind the scenes

Londo Bell was created as a plot device to provide the Earth Federation with an elite military unit that could credibly challenge Neo Zeon forces while avoiding the negative associations of the Titans. The unit’s composition of former AEUG and Karaba members reflected the narrative need for protagonists who had demonstrated their commitment to preventing military authoritarianism.

The name “Londo Bell” was derived from “Londenion”, itself a fictional future name for London meaning “wasteland”. This etymology reflected the series’ themes about the consequences of war and environmental destruction.

In the Super Robot Wars video game series, Londo Bell serves as an umbrella organisation for protagonists from multiple anime series, typically led by Bright Noa and including characters from various mecha franchises.

Appearances

See also