Technology & Combat Characteristics
Developed by Zeonic, the Zaku was the mainstay Mobile Suit (MS) of the Principality of Zeon Armed Forces and were deployed in large numbers during the One Year War. It was the successor to the MS-05 Zaku (Zaku 0), and was characterized by its high maneuverability as a humanoid weapon and its excellent versatility, allowing it to be used in space and under gravity with minor modifications. The Zaku was also notable for its ease of operation, maintenance, and productivity, which made it suitable for mass production. It was equipped with a Zaku machine gun, heat hawk, crackers, and other weapons, making it suitable for a wide range of battle situations from guerrilla warfare to mobile suit combat.
History
The MS-06 Zaku formed the backbone of Zeon's mobile suit force throughout the Earth-Space conflict in UC 0079. It was deployed in large numbers and participated in major battles such as Operation British and the Battle of Loum in January UC 0079.
On September 18, UC 0079, a Zaku team comprised of Major Char Aznable and his subordinates, Denim and Slender, infiltrated EFF's secret military base inside Side 7 colony. Char and Denim's Zakus destroyed almost all of the base's RX-series mobile weapon parts including RX-77-02 Guncannons and RX-75 Guntanks. While Denim's Zaku provided cover, Char stole the RX-78-02 White Gundam and eventually the Pegasus-class carrier to be used and analyzed by the Zeon's Mobile Assault Force.
The Zaku would continue to serve Zeon's cause until the end of the war, including units from Char's fleet that participated in an effort to sabotage EFF's Operation Solomon Drop on January 3, UC 0080. After the war, a large number of Zakus was sold legally and illegally by Zeon and came into the possession of civilians and military police forces, which would be used for a variety of purposes ranging from colony construction mobile workers, police space patrol, and illegal clan battles. In order to prevent it from using weapons, civilian versions have the combat installer device removed.