I can probably answer why Lacus has them. First off it looks like she has been preparing for this for quite some time now. She has that hidden base first off. From the looks of things that has probably been ready since the end of the first seed. Knowing Lacus, she has been developing new suits in secret making sure that her faction has more power than everyone else or something so she and others can help prevent war because, lets face it, a lone person without a mobile suit with power in the gundam universe probably can't prevent or stop war. Also, she is frickin rich. She is also Lacus. She can provide just about anything. Who do you think: repaired the AA, Freedom, Strike Rouge; got Murree, Waldfeld, Kira, I think Kira's mom, the blind dude, and those children a house that is battle ready complete with an underground base houseing the AA, and their mobile suits. Lacus also has lots of friends in high places. I don't think I really answered your question though.