Tech tree for troop weapons

[Sardia]

What should I research to give my troops the best weapons? Right now, I'm stuck with a ground cannon or a lvl 1 uranium cannon. I tried to use rocket pods but I found out they can't hit other troops. Should I research smaller weapons or just stick with the ground cannon research? I'm using balance mod 1.11 What are the possible weapons that troops can carry now?

The initial gameplay has changed quite a lot since I last played, I'm impressed.

P.S. Can someone suggest the best tactics against fighters? My fleets are getting chewed to pieces fighting through swarms of them. I'm resorting to running away from them as the fighters chase me, so I face them 1 or 2 at a time. Even so, I'm losing more money/taking more damage then they are.