JLS, I don't have that save game anymore
It was about turn 50, both me and AI used ionic engines, everything was pretty basic stuff. Yes, I used purely anti-ship fighters since that particular AI (Cryslonite) did not have fighters yet. I am still fuming about my silly fighters
Oh, it is of course purely strategic combat issue. If I used tactical combat, it would never happened of course. I would keep fighters not too far from enemy while they reload.