If you're getting beaten militarily, then you need more hitpoints and firepower.
Armor is the cheapest way to get lots of hitpoints, if you can manage the repairs.
Also, pick a weapon type and run with it. A long range DF weapon is a safe choice.
It is probably best to divide your research attention between military and economics.
Highly reccommended is to build SY bases. The low build rate is irrelevant when you can have 50 of them piled up over your homeworld
