[@6slyboy6]

no i mean as a defensive base, it would be relatively easy to either avoid the belt entirely by only adding some time to the trip depending on sub light engines. OR, nearly as easy, blasting a hole in the field a couple of miles around. granted that would be slow and annoying as well but not -that- difficult. 

again, i am sure its very useful as a hidden base, but it couldn't be a viable defensive perimeter without an absurd amount of manpower and ships, but as a forward base of operations to send patrol ships and whatnot it would be great.