Chapter 1124: 70% of the Navy
Malta corresponds to Libya and Tunisia, and Gibraltar corresponds to Morocco. In this way, the French Mediterranean Fleet is suppressed from the east and west. At this time, the British Mediterranean Fleet is still ahead of its French counterpart, and it seems to be no problem.
However, this strength advantage is only theoretical. Maritime power cannot be simply compared in the Mediterranean. France and Algeria are not far away, and the area of the Mediterranean is not vast. The French Navy's Mediterranean fleet can receive effective support from shore-based forces.
Of course, the UK also has this kind of support, but the support from Gibraltar and Malta is still not comparable to the support received by the French Navy. After a simple comparison, Alan Wilson can confirm that the current strength of the British Royal Navy's Mediterranean Fleet is not enough to securely occupy the French Mediterranean Fleet. .
This situation must be changed immediately, otherwise, the junk sold to France will be decommissioned, and Britain will have no reason to strengthen its maritime power. :.
The two Resentment-class aircraft carriers originally sold to the French Navy had no limitations in terms of tonnage. The tonnage of more than 30,000 tons seemed absolutely sufficient.
However, when the British originally built the Vengeance class, they focused on strengthening the protection of the hangar. This resulted in the Vengeance class aircraft carrier's hangar being small and unable to adapt to the rapidly developing size of carrier-based aircraft after the war.
The most critical thing is the difficulty of modification caused by the emphasis on strengthening the hangar. Otherwise, the United Kingdom would not agree to the deal after evaluation... Selling an aircraft carrier is not easy in itself, let alone selling it to a suspicious ally.
Currently, two Rendezvous-class ships are still in service in the French Navy, and the two Eagle-class ships and two Queen Elizabeth-class ships of the British Mediterranean Fleet are still in the Middle East. The main French Mediterranean fleet they face is also originated from the United Kingdom.
In fact, the assessment of the danger level of the French Mediterranean Fleet depends entirely on what the British Navy tells the cabinet. You can tell the truth and inform the cabinet of the difficulties in upgrading France's aircraft carriers. But it can also be said that the British Mediterranean Fleet is unable to deal with this potential threat.
The key is whether the Navy will seize the opportunity to use military funds to build new ships and save the shipbuilding industry by the way.
In Rome, the capital of Italy, Alan Wilson returned to his job, talking to Italians in the diplomatic field about his views on the Mediterranean Economic Belt, and in this name, he showed his goodwill to Italy and said that Malta would grant Italy visa-free treatment.
Italy can use this to try to expand Italy's economic influence in North Africa.
This overture satisfied Italian Prime Minister Armintore Fanfanni, Italy's tenth post-war prime minister, who has been trying to increase his influence in North Africa. Especially with the discovery of Libyan oil.
It's just that Italy is a defeated country, and the North African countries are either Britain or France.
Italy did not have many options. During the Algerian War, Italy had always hoped that France would be defeated so that Italy could fill the vacuum in North Africa. Unfortunately, the final result was counterproductive.
As the center-left leader of the Catholic Democratic Party, one of Armintore Fanfanni's ideas is to develop the Mediterranean economic circle, but as an Italian, his idea is definitely to focus on Italy.
The UK is willing to help Italy partially realize this wish, at least not against it. Likewise, Italy must provide the UK with certain benefits and help the UK develop Malta's economy. Alan Wilson does not think this request is too much.
At the same time, Alan Wilson's visit this time was also to discuss the issue of European cooperation. The flying coffin has been exposed by the British. Everyone knows that it is indeed a failure. Alan Wilson is still very concerned about European defense cooperation.
Now that Pamela Mountbatten has integrated a series of British airlines and has a place in the British aviation field, she should come up with a competing product to prove her strength.
Strategic transport aircraft are certainly important, but the emergence of an advanced fighter jet can better demonstrate its strength.
He is also happy to see the richest woman he has cultivated for many years gain a foothold in the military industry and complete the transformation from a low-end company that buys and sells raw materials to a company like Lockheed.
For this reason, how could he not be interested in it? European cooperation is also an advocate of Italian Prime Minister Armintore Fanfanni. Italian officials who received Alan Wilson also expressed a positive view of the matter.
"It seems that we have a lot to talk about at the next European Community meeting." Alan Wilson extended his hand to greet the Italian officials who came out to see him off.
"European cooperation cannot be separated from the cooperation of the United Kingdom. In fact, we all understand the importance of the United Kingdom to Europe." Turias said happily, "The Prime Minister has said that he is willing to work with the United Kingdom on North African affairs to run the Mediterranean Economic Circle. "
Alan Wilson nodded and took the car directly back to Her Royal Highness the Princess's hotel. Hedy Lamarr had already been waiting for him. When she saw the dusty man returning, she couldn't help but laugh, "If the French knew, you are doing work to check and balance France everywhere." , I don’t know what to think.”
"Of course the French know that. The French know best about Britain." Alan Wilson took a bite of pasta and said vaguely, "But it's useless to know some things. We will still do this. The French know that Britain How will we respond? The UK also knows how the French will respond, but we will not change the way we respond."
Listening to the words that sounded like a tongue twister, Hedy Lamarr shook her head and said, "I don't know what you are talking about."
"Just like this bowl of spaghetti, in the field of catering, French catering is the best in the world. Of course, some countries may not accept it and feel that their country's food is the best in the world. Among these countries that are not convinced, including ours Italy." Alan Wilson made an analogy, "Italians believe that their food culture is still superior to that of France, and this does not change the fact that other countries still believe that France is the strongest."
"It seems that many countries believe that France is the first army in Europe?" Hedy Lamarr asked funnyly.
"That happened when did it happen? Now let the French speak for themselves. They don't think they are number one in Europe." Alan Wilson laughed, thought for a moment and said, "Can they be ranked among the top three in Europe? Can't they anymore? too much."
"After the Soviet Union and Germany?" Hedy Lamarr tilted her head, feeling that the only two countries that could be ranked ahead of France, it couldn't be Italy, right?
"After the Soviet Red Army and the Soviet Border Guards!" Alan Wilson corrected him calmly, "If it is within the world, it should be after the U.S. Army."
This time he definitely did not insult the law today, but had a very objective understanding.
In the world's air power of the 21st century, the first and second place are the U.S. Air Force and the U.S. Navy respectively. So the top two ground forces now are the Soviet Red Army and the Soviet Border Guards.
Although the Soviet border guard force was an armed force led by the KGB, this border guard force was more than enough to defeat countries other than the Soviet Union. During the Cold War, the KGB border guard force was the main force that dominated the Far East and certain major countries.
"You usually have your head soaring to the sky. But now you are so afraid when you mention the Soviet Union." Hedy Lamarr said angrily and funny, "Where is your usual confidence?"
"How about you talk to the Soviets and transfer the border guards from Asia and replace them with the four major armies in Eastern Europe?" Alan Wilson chewed the spaghetti as if the noodles were the Soviet Union. "This is not the United Kingdom either. What can be changed, if Britain has the final say, will definitely let the Soviets pull out the Red Navy and fight decisively in the Atlantic."
In the spacious driveway outside the Ministry of Defense, the beams of car lights flashed chaotically. The car engine rumbled and sputtered. The scary shadows of cars seemed to be everywhere: patrol cars, vans, and Metropolitan Police station vans. An ambulance sped away.
This scene made many citizens stop and wonder if something had happened. The noise even caused Marshal Mountbatten to stand up and go to the window to watch.
Alan Wilson was holding a thermos cup, as if his six senses were closed, and everything had nothing to do with him.
"You mean, the Royal Navy should preferably have 70% of the strength of the U.S. Navy, and at least half the strength." Marshal Mountbatten, who watched the excitement for a while, looked at his son-in-law with a complex expression, "Do you know that in World War I? This is what William II thought during the period, and the Japanese during World War II also thought so, but what happened in the end?"
"The situation is different, Marshal. Applying past experience to reality is a dangerous move. The French suffered a big loss in this regard during World War II." Alan Wilson retorted calmly, "American shipbuilding The industry only broke out during the short period of the World War, and was quickly defeated by Britain after the war. It has returned to its original weak state. To protect Britain's overseas interests, the size of the Royal Navy is still a bit insufficient."
"Since there is almost no shipbuilding industry in the United States, it can completely mobilize the shipbuilding industry to supplement it. It is just a beautiful bubble for the United Kingdom. The basis of the 70% Navy theory and the two world wars are completely different."
It took several years to decide the outcome of World War I and World War II. That situation cannot be applied to this time. Now Britain must show its strength clearly and prove that it has the ability to check and balance the U.S. Navy. Only then will its powerful shipbuilding industry be able to exert its influence. effect.
If the stock on paper is not enough and they are wiped out in one wave, how can there be time to mobilize the shipbuilding industry to replenish it? Shipbuilding is only useful if scale can calm the United States.
"The reason is ready. In order to check and balance the expansion of France's influence in the Mediterranean, ask the cabinet for it." Alan Wilson continued to persuade, "Now is the time. After this time, it will be difficult to obtain resources in favor of the navy in the future. "To protect Britain's overseas interests, if it cannot reach 70%, it must at least have more than half of its strength." To provide you with the fastest update of British civil servants, read Chapter 1,124 on Seventy Percent of the Navy for free. :.