Chapter 1283 Balancing South Asia

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After the decisive battle on the top of the Himalayas, Pakistan's change in attitude was only the most obvious of the many direct impacts brought about by the war.

In fact, based on the two hard indicators of Pakistan's population and land area, it is normal that it cannot beat India. However, as a base for offshore balance, even Pakistan, which has lost Bangladesh, is still qualified, not to mention that Bangladesh is still in Pakistan's hands. Being able to fight is no joke.

Now that a certain major country has proven that India's prowess is nothing more than a paper tiger, Pakistan's belief that India is nothing more than that has naturally led to a change in attitude.

Of course, Pakistan, a weaker side, may not get any good results if it sees Big Brother teaching its opponents but is eager to try. Just like Ukraine thinks that the United States can humiliate Russia, so can I. India's lack of temper at the top of the world does not mean that it will tolerate being looked down upon by Pakistan.

Since India's independence, nationalism has been very high. Nehru was also coerced by this kind of public opinion, so he refused to give in any ground, thinking that diplomacy could make a certain big country retreat.

Now that the war is over, Indian nationalism has not improved. If Pakistan humiliates India at this time, there is a high probability that India will not give up.

The cabinet secretary had a look of boredom on his face, and the micro-expression on his face shocked Markins, "Alan, what are you thinking about?"

"I was wondering whether the Indians can carry out an offshore balance from our perspective?" Alan Wilson took out a cigar, lit it, and puffed away, "Makins, you also know that war It will bring demand, even if it doesn't bring demand, it is Britain's obligation to keep the world in balance."

Chaos is a ladder. It is normal for Alan Wilson to think this way. If India has lived a good life after independence, doesn't that mean that the British colonization of India was wrong? From this point of view, we should also thank a certain big country.

"My friend John, I haven't been back to London for a long time." Alan Wilson blurted out. "Convene a meeting of colonial commissioners. I want to trace the losses of overseas companies. I have gone too far. I am addicted to transfer payments. right?"

A lot of unprofitable colonies were thrown out, but they began to make no money. Forget it if they don't make money, what does it mean to make ends meet?

The oil pipelines in South Sudan have been repaired. Is there no oil coming out of the pipelines? They also made up for the losses caused by the riots in Kenya. The Indians who suffered the losses have all returned home. Where is the loss?

Magins nodded, but did not leave, still looking eagerly at the supreme authority. Alan Wilson spoke first, "The strategic bomber matter has been decided.

The current British defense needs are not suitable for increasing investment in strategic bombers. The Vulcan bomber is enough. If you make some improvements on the prototype, there may still be room for maneuver, but don't even think about new projects. "

Magins came here several times to lobby for the Air Force, but Britain's annual military expenditures were only so much, and Alan Wilson had no choice. Britain's two hundred strategic bombers are already somewhat surplus. Regardless of the existing number and strategic objectives, these bombers are completely sufficient.

In fact, with the improvement of missile performance, the shortcomings of British strategic bombers have been made up for. Air-launched missiles have improved British air power.

If you don’t believe it, look at several powerful countries in a few decades. You use Figure 95, I use H-6, and he uses B52. Everyone has a bright future.

There is no need to worry about the H-20. The various Cold War black technologies in the United States that are heavier and more expensive than gold have no occasion to use them. Of course, he has no objection to Britain maintaining its strategic bombers. Why not do it if it can save costs by releasing a few squadrons to Australia?

However, the potential of strategic bombers has been professionally assessed by Whitehall, mainly by the Cabinet Secretary-General, and it is believed that continued investment is no longer necessary.

This is not like the navy. The navy is because Indonesia accepted support from the Soviet Union. Currently, the Australians are paying the bill. It would be good if the air force can maintain it. For many targets, increasingly larger fighter jets can replace it.

Magins tried his best to maintain the duties of the Deputy Secretary of Defense, but was overruled by Alan Wilson. He joked, "If you were a U.S. Department of Defense official, you would have some reasons to convince me. After all, the strategic bombing of North Vietnam is now under way." It’s not Britain, it’s the United States, but we won’t participate in that war, so there’s nothing we can do.”

The main reason is that the strategic bombers placed in Australia have met Australia's needs. This is what Australia thinks, and there is nothing they can do.

"Well, it seems that the Air Force is destined to be disappointed." Makins smiled bitterly, "Who will let the Navy take care of it? By the way, I heard that British immigrants in Australia are donating money, and your wife will not have anything to do with it. Bar?"

"Are you kidding?" Alan Wilson categorically denied, "Pamela is busy with her own business and has no time to do such boring things. She has absolutely nothing to do with this matter."

Pamela Mountbatten was indeed busy mining, but the mining location was not Australia, but the island of New Guinea. In later generations, New Guinea was rich in mineral resources, with large reserves of gold, copper, oil, and natural gas; Gela in Papua Province, Indonesia The Sberg Gold Mine is one of the largest gold mines in the world. In addition to containing more than 3,000 tons of gold ore, it also has huge copper reserves. The Kepamono Oilfield on the Birds of Paradise Peninsula is one of the largest oil fields in Indonesia.

The richest woman received advice from the secretary-general and found the Panguna copper and gold mine, taking her status as the world's number one mining giant to a higher level.

After all, for such a long time, Alan Wilson has asked his wife to buy public opinion and make donations, so he always has to show sincerity.

Besides, who doesn’t like gold? De Gaulle is about to stab the United States in the back. Britain will never do this because of the special relationship between Britain and the United States. Even if it does, it will have to do so after the French. Naturally, it can only dig a gold mine. Earn some hard-earned money.

Of course, the richest woman has always had equal interests. Don’t think that Ellen Wilson doesn’t know that the son of the Air Force Chief of Staff also has property in Australia, and this time he also joined in the exploration.

Various shares were owned by the Dutch, Australians, and even local indigenous chiefs. Miners were recruited from the British South Pacific Territory managed by Eder, and mining equipment and daily necessities were provided through the British mainland and Malaya. Every aspect was taken care of.

Alan Wilson is not greedy either. Australia currently produces 200 tons of gold per year, the British Gold Coast has 100 tons, and New Guinea can qualify if it can produce 100 tons of gold per year. There are British troops stationed in Australia and strategic bombers. Britain even has the latest aircraft carrier and is generous enough to Australia.

It is precisely for this reason that Australia has forgotten Churchill's chaotic operations, giving Britain an opportunity to mend relations with Australia.

The most important thing is that Malaya's position is on Indonesia's head. As long as this colony is still held by the British, Australia will not be half-hearted about the British.

After appeasing Markins, Alan Wilson continued to work hard on the review of military expenditures. After a while, the permanent undersecretary of the Ministry of Finance came over. If Frank still felt that it was too much, the two of them still needed to discuss how to maintain the maximum amount of military expenditures. combat effectiveness.

The Royal Navy cannot be weakened, not because Marshal Mountbatten was born in the navy, but because the Royal Navy can theoretically be on an equal footing with the US Navy. The first point is that the upgrading of the Royal Navy has been completed. What needs to be done now is to upgrade existing warships, such as installing new radars. The U.S. Navy will enter a replacement cycle from now on, and the warships from World War II will enter the retirement stage.

Another point is that British aircraft carriers are different from American aircraft carriers. The United States is pursuing an all-nuclear fleet, while Britain's new aircraft carriers are still conventionally powered.

The overhaul cycle of a nuclear-powered aircraft carrier is eighteen months. If the aircraft carrier enters the overhaul cycle, the rest period will often be longer than eighteen months, usually up to three years. Generally, the rest period with smaller maintenance volume will be longer than ten years. Eight months is shorter, eighteen months is actually an average cycle time.

Therefore, under normal circumstances, one-third of the U.S. nuclear-powered aircraft carriers are responsible for combat missions, one-third conducts maritime training, and the other third rests in port or enters the factory for maintenance. Of course, during wartime, the training, rest, and maintenance cycles will be shortened, and the number of aircraft carriers capable of performing combat missions will be greater than in normal times, and more than half of the aircraft carriers can be put into combat.

When the United States faces threats, it can use most of its aircraft carriers in combat. The United Kingdom can do this in peacetime. Who makes the all-nuclear fleet really difficult to serve? The United States is the one with the upper hand. Later, the U.S. Navy dismissed the concept of an all-nuclear fleet and cut off all but nuclear-powered aircraft carriers and submarines.

Therefore, the navy part of military expenditure must be resolutely retained. The army is not a big problem. The current military expenditure is competed by the navy and air force.

When the United States' strategic bombing of North Vietnam had become a normal event, Alan Wilson convened a meeting of colonial commissioners to deduct the profits from these high commissioners who played reinvestment and transfer payments.

"My friend John, do you know that there is a military conflict between India and Pakistan?" Faced with the returning High Commissioner of the Persian Gulf, Alan Wilson asked his friend, "I don't know what the Arab countries think. We all have the same religion. Is it true? Don’t they sympathize with Pakistan? They always face the bully India.”

"Alan, if you have any ideas, just say it." John had also been a commissioner of a country, and he knew from the moment he heard that his colleague was not holding his shit back, and he must have wanted to stir things up.

"We all know that India's resources are relatively scarce compared to its own population, especially oil." Alan Wilson raised his head with a compassionate tone, "Arab countries can use oil as a weapon. Of course, it cannot always be used, but You can use it when the time is right.”