I've found two threads where the issue of military rating is discussed, but I still don't see a way how to sufficiently raise it. I play on challenging level, and in early 2228 where I am now, I have been at war with Drengi and Yor for almost a year now. I am winning both wars. I took 5 planets from the Drengi (planets that were in my back yard) and I am preparing to capture a rich border world from the Yor. I have a fleet of some 30 good small ships, and some 10 good medium capital ships. But in spite of this, no power in the galaxy likes me, and when I check the relationship summary, I am told "-- your military might rating". WTF? I have three planets producing warships, two of which are the most productive worlds in the galaxy, but this still isn't enough to keep my relations with other majors from going down.
My strategy in games like this never was to build lots of small ships, I always build the biggest and strongest ships I can afford. So, what is the damn problem with the rating? I read somewhere that ships that raise military rating the most aren't the best ships for combat, but I don't know the details on this. Can somebody help me?