Story:

The Zaku II is a minor update and follow-up design to the original Zaku unit, offering some subtle improvements that give the unit higher performance levels and a command suite. All of this amounts to a mobile suit that can move faster and react quicker in combat, while simultaneously offering the electronic resources that an officer needs in the field. Compared to a original Zaku, the Zaku II possesses twice the communications range, and can stand-in for a battleship's command and control center if the need arises.

Despite its differences, the Zaku II is still compatible with the original's augmentation packs. For more information on these, see the Zaku profile. In addition, the Zaku II also ntroduced a new optional set open to both it and its predecessor: the redesigned "Slasher" unit. This package is based upon the weapons layout of the original prototype Zaku II units, which were built into the core design. Though the features are now modular, they have not suffered in effectiveness. Besides the twin gattling cannons, which fire high-explosive shells at tremendous velocities, there is powerful beam axe for close combat. This folding weapon extends on a luna titanium polearm, and houses a wide beam blade emitter between a pair of sharp heat blades.

Zaku II units are typically issued to the squad leaders and aces of Ark Orion's Defence Force. Many of them have been given their own custom paint schemes, though they are still fundamentally the same units. Given the similarities between the mark II model and its original, most of the components used for one can be swapped to repair the other. This is just another advantage that helps the defence force make up for its low numbers with their shear innovation.