Agreed, Constructor spam really did just get to be too much after a while. I frequently did cultural domination backed by a big fleet, and to do the starbase walk was tedius. I know that starbases shouldn't be able to be built and rebuilt instantly, BUT, there needs to be a better way than that.
Also, in late game when everyones techs were really solid, a completely maxxed out military starbase was a VERY easy target for anyone with a descent fleet. I think being able to attach fleets to them is an excellent idea.
I know it was mentioned earlier, the varying types of starbases and that political bases shouldn't be armed, I disagree. B5 has been used as an example many times in these forums, it was a political base in neutral territory to help resolve conflicts before they turned into a shooting war, and, it was still armed to the teeth. Im sure there were major bases that outgunned it, especially military bases, but I think the political center should be able to protect itself as well. A military base should be better armed though.
I have a idea for a new type of base altogether. Shipyards/Docks. Something purposely built to crankout ships and to repair them as needed. Say I have a destroyer and 3 Corvettes left over from some battle and they are hammered, get them to the dock, they then sit in a defensive perimeter and wait their turn for a repair. Still usable in defense of that base until it is in for repair itself. The shipyard portion can also be used standalone as a builder for ships as well as a repair facility. Possibly upgrade the facility to accomodate larger and lareger ships, modules for faster or more effecient production, as well as able to make different ships at once, based on the shipyards facilities. As for how you make 3 ships at once say, I am thinking somehitng like the base in the opening cinimatic from MOO2, just the look, the 3 platforms around the perimeter, build a ship on each.