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MIP

MIP was a military enterprise that specialised in beam technology and mobile armor development for the Principality of Zeon.
Jenxi Seow Published 25 Feb 2025
MIP

MIP (エム・イー・ペー) was a Principality of Zeon military enterprise that specialised in the development of beam technology and mobile weapons manufacturing. Based in the lunar city of Granada, MIP rose to prominence during the One Year War by developing numerous mobile armors and advanced beam weapons.

History

Pre-One Year War

Before the One Year War, MIP’s primary business was developing military-grade arms for private entities. The company was based in the lunar city of Granada and gradually established a reputation for itself by expanding into military research and development during the escalating tensions between the Earth Federation and the Principality of Zeon.

When the Zeon Defense Ministry commissioned the development of a new high-performance weapon designed for Minovsky particle environments, MIP proposed the MIP-X1, a hybrid design combining a space fighter with a worker pod. Although this design lost to Zeonic’s ZI-XA3 Crabman due to the latter’s greater versatility, the MIP-X1’s exceptional space mobility served as the foundation for later mobile armor designs such as the MA-05 Bigro.

One Year War

Mobile Weapon Development

During the One Year War, MIP became a significant contributor to Zeon’s mobile weapon arsenal. While primarily known for its mobile armor designs, the company also developed the amphibious heavy mobile suit MSM-07 Z’Gok. This mobile suit was first developed at the Zeon-occupied California Base and later demonstrated its combat effectiveness when Char Aznable piloted it against Amuro Ray at Jaburo.

MIP conducted extensive testing of the MA-05 Bigro at the California Base under orders from Kycilia Zabi, with Captain Tokwan serving as the operation director. This testing facility was later abandoned when Zeon forces retreated from the base following the Earth Federation’s counter-offensive.

Beam Weaponry Advances

MIP’s expertise extended beyond mobile weapons to beam technology, where they made several significant contributions. The company co-developed various mobile suit weapons, including the beam bazooka used by the MS-09R Rick Dom. During the development of the MS-14 Gelgoog, MIP collaborated with Albert, another lunar arms company, to create the Gelgoog’s beam rifle.

Late War Contributions

Due to their cutting-edge beam and mobile armor technology, MIP engineers were often recruited for projects outside Kycilia Zabi’s direct influence. Their expertise contributed to the development of the MA-08 Big Zam’s Large Mega Particle Gun, which incorporated modified and enlarged elements from the MA-05 Bigro.

Some sources suggest that technical officer Asakura, formerly an engineer at MIP’s lunar facility, applied similar beam technology from the MS-14A Gelgoog’s beam rifle to assist Gihren Zabi in constructing the Colony Laser.

Former MIP engineer Simus Al Bakharov designed and tested weaponry such as the MAN-03 Braw Bro, utilising MIP-grade beam weaponry in collaboration with the Flanagan Institute. These developments ultimately led to the MAN-08 Elmeth’s remote-controlled “bits,” which employed the same beam technology.

Post-One Year War

After the One Year War, MIP was absorbed by Anaheim Electronics. Between UC 0080 and UC 0082, MIP reportedly continued to develop beam technology as a semi-autonomous entity within Anaheim’s weapons division, employing many former Zeon technical officers.

In UC 0083, MIP was contracted to design the blueprints for the X-04 beam machine gun used by the AGX-04 Gerbera Tetra, though the actual production was handled by Albert. This arrangement demonstrated that MIP’s expertise in weapons development remained valuable despite its absorption.

By UC 0084, due to decreased demand for mobile armor technology and funding constraints, MIP was fully integrated into Anaheim’s beam weapon development department, becoming a mere subsidiary that existed primarily in branding.

Creations

MIP developed numerous mobile weapons and technologies throughout its operational history, including:

Mobile Suits

Mobile Armors

Weapons

  • MS-09R Rick Dom beam bazooka
  • MS-14 Gelgoog beam rifle (co-developed with Albert)
  • X-04 beam machine gun (blueprints for AGX-04 Gerbera Tetra)

Behind the scenes

MIP was first mentioned in the 1981 sourcebook Gundam Century. The MIP logo first appeared in the 2003 sourcebook Anaheim Journal, alongside logos of other Universal Century corporations. These logos were designed by Masahito Hanzawa and Junya Saito of the Tokyo-based graphic design firm POWER GRAPHIXX.

Many notable Universal Century Zeon officers had connections to MIP before or during the One Year War. These included Zeon officers who were formerly MIP engineers, likely recruited through military contracts before the conflict began. Ace pilot Tokwan was reportedly not only the MA-05 Bigro’s test pilot but also one of its chief engineers. Other notable personnel with MIP associations included Ashley Horn, Simus Al Bakharov, Dimitri, Ogan Montagne, and Asakura.

See also

  • MIP on the Gundam Wiki