Rationalizing the perceived jump in Starfleet strength from TNG to DS9

[Matt4511]

Re: Rationalizing the perceived jump in Starfleet strength from TNG to

The Dominion having 30,000 ships is certainly eye popping. But that doesn't necessarily mean 30,000 warships. Could be a significant portion are smaller scout vessels, tugs, cargo carriers, and other support type vessels. It's ambiguous... so no way to tell if the writers were referring to just vessels that can attack.

I don't remember the name of the episode, but it was right after the allies were driven out of the Chin'Toka beachhead by the Dominion-Breen forces. Martok said he'd have 1,500 ships deployed and ready for action shortly, and some random Romulan scoffed that they'd still be outnumbered 20-to-1.

So that's where the figure comes from. Round it up or down as you like. But given the implication, it's probably safe to assume that they were referring to combat vessels. Unless Martok was feeling cocky about all the science ships and deuterium tankers he was sending out to hold the line.