For more than a century, the United Kyr Empire, also known as the UKE, was the primary government of the Kig Yar race. Named after Kyr, who united multiple clans and tribes of the species in 2558 UNSC calendar, the UKE was officially formed four years later following the Eayn Insurgencies in 2562. It wasn't until another decade and a half passed before the UKE could support its own military; until then, mercenary groups were hired for interplanetary defense. The Kyr Empire is also notable for being the first ever Kig Yar faction to supply its own warships of lengths greater than one thousand meters, a major milestone for any species.