Get a "hard shields" technology, which negates the shield piercing effects of weapons(to be honest, I'm not sure if it works against particle beams as well).
Take advantage of your race's combat bonuses: install inertial stabilizers and battle scanners. Get a good engine technology(fast ships=hard to hit). Assign officers to your strongest ships. Let Yota train the crew
.
Missile boats are good for pansy races who don't know how to fight.
Get tractor beams. Immobile ships=easy to hit.
If you're afraid of missiles, ECM Jammer an a couple of PD laser cannons does wonders.
Note that leaving even 1 point of design space increases beam defence a bit.
Also, Battlestation increases your command points more than a simple Space station.
As a side note, I don't think I ever had so much money.
Another thing, in "Fleets" tab, the "relocate" button lets you automatically send all the newly produced ships to the selected destination.
