Does anyone know what combat speed the ships are for Antarans in MoO2? I attacked them with ships that had a combat speed of 20 and they still took the first turn. It was kind of annoying.

I have been playing this game or 20 or so years and I have only a few times had my ships move before the Antaran ships move (you should always outclass the Starbase on their home world). Unless your ships are built for speed, and officers that increase tactics it won't happen. It is much easier to build your ships to take a few lumps (and plan for casualties than it is to try and go first.