Belix

I don't think so. I started a new strategic game with the tech slider set to lowest tech. After taking 4-5 islands the enemy carrier attacked one of my island. I rushed to defend it and found out that he had a mix of medium and heavy armored valruses and mantas, he didn't have very good weapons on them though only machine guns and lasers. Still I was not able to take them on, because I had only machine guns and grenade launchers, so I have lured them to the island guns :)

Currently in 1.05 strategic game, you get a new blue print right after you capture an enemy. For neutral islands you will receive the blueprint when the command center is build and island turns into your control. You don't have to be on the neutral island to receive the blueprint. Also there is no need to hack anything get new blueprints.