Chapter 1410 Britain’s Strategic Determination

In the Indo-Pak war, the navy played a secondary role, but this does not mean that there is no role for the navy. In fact, in the second Indo-Pak war six years ago, a Pakistani submarine sank an Indian destroyer, which led India to increase its naval power. Adequate preparations were also made.

The Indian Navy invested more than 1.1 billion rupees in military expenditure after the war. It is not only used to purchase new equipment, but also focuses on strengthening the training level of relevant personnel. Although plans for coordinated fleet operations are also on the agenda, there are sufficient funds to ensure rapid advancement.

Therefore, by the time the third India-Pakistan War broke out, the Indian Navy's morale, training and equipment integrity rate had reached the highest level in history.

As the situation in Bengal worsened, Indians realized that another war was inevitable. Since the summer, the Indian Navy has begun planning and executing future combat plans. Based on the overall military deployment of the Pakistanis, two completely different combat modes have been developed, which are used in Bangladesh and Pakistan respectively.

The task force, led by the aircraft carrier Vikrant, will go to Bangladesh to carry out strike and blockade missions. The amphibious forces will land under formation cover when the time comes.

The Western Fleet, which is dominated by most other surface ships, wants to blockade Karachi, an important port in Pakistan. By the way, attack the opponent's key coastal targets. Whether the fleets at both ends are performing offensive or defensive missions, they will control the sea power with an overwhelming offensive.

Because of the weakness of the Pakistan Navy, the Indian Navy has no urgent need to strengthen. Alan Wilson has no way to do this. Moreover, the British World War II inventory has been emptied. The Tiger cruiser was just sold to India. The current West Coast flagship is the first of this cruiser. The tonnage of over 10,000 tons is completely justified. The only problem is that this is an artillery cruiser.

There is no need for India to find fault. The Royal Navy still has two ships in service and has no plans to upgrade or modify them. Instead, it is waiting for shield ships to be replaced.

Although the Indian Navy is an important regional force in the Indian Ocean, it is still not enough to face the US Task Force 74, which has already shouted slogans before it even formed an army. Moscow's reply to New Delhi was to stick to its strategy until the Soviet fleet arrived.

In order to strengthen the confidence of its allies, New Delhi stated that India had contacted London, and the Royal Navy fleet in Southeast Asia adopted a bystander attitude towards the India-Pakistan war. would not become an enemy of India, in order to reassure the Soviet Union that important local players had declared their absence.

The news that some warships of the Red Navy's Pacific Fleet were heading south could not be hidden from the anti-submarine detachment of the U.S. Seventh Fleet, also known as the Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force. The Japanese understand very well that dangers on the water are not dangers, but dangers underwater are dangers. The focus of the development of the Soviet Red Navy is underwater. Of course, Japan cannot deal with the underdeveloped surface fleet.

For submarines, the most terrifying enemy is mines. Don't know when and where it exploded. Obviously, it will explode as soon as it touches it, and the entire crew will be killed. For a submarine operating in the water, encountering a mine is even more terrifying than a tank encountering a mine.

If a tank hits a mine, its tracks will be blown off and it will be unable to move. However, submarines are different. Water pressure can transport the entire crew to another world without fail.

The Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force has advanced equipment in the anti-submarine field. Except for one thing, Japan has no right to declare war. Without the nod of the United States, all Japan can do is watch the Soviet Red Navy signal on the radar and head towards the Tsushima Strait.

It is difficult for non-Japanese people to understand this feeling of only watching others move towards the battlefield of Tsushima. If the Soviet Red Navy accidentally bombed it at this time, Japan would have no choice but to survive.

Relying on the U.S. intelligence system in the Far East and the special relationship between Britain and the United States, London quickly learned how big the spillover effect of this India-Pakistan war was.

Alan Wilson, who has been particularly diligent in the Ministry of Defense recently, listened to the discussions between Marshal Charles and several chiefs of staff and judged how many submarines were following him underwater at the other end of Eurasia.

I couldn't help but laugh in my heart. It was true that Japan was the anti-submarine detachment of the Seventh Fleet. If Britain hadn't been there, even if it hadn't become the anti-submarine detachment in the Atlantic direction, it would have been almost done by this time.

"In other words, underwater power deserves more attention. Of course, the Soviet missile destroyers cannot be ignored." Alan Wilson asked in relief, "Is that so?"

Several chiefs of staff nodded, and Alan Wilson signaled to be calm, "We have a base in the Andaman Islands, which is an unsinkable aircraft carrier. Because of the existence of this naval base, the Royal Navy's deployment is towards the Far East. The smaller the aircraft carrier is, the Royal Pacific Fleet only has two Eagle-class aircraft carriers. I don’t quite understand the comparison, but the two combined are equal to the USS Enterprise. However, Washington has long announced the establishment of a task force, which has great implications. Deterrence factor.”

The most ridiculous thing is that one of the two Eagle-class aircraft carriers is now stationed in Perth and loyally protects Australia. There is only one aircraft carrier in Malaya.

"This may be a coward's game, so maybe nothing will happen before things get dangerous." Alan Wilson just meant something by beating around the bush, the general reserve team, don't move!

This shows how correct the decision to separate the Andaman Islands before leaving was. There have been some noises in India over the years, saying that Britain should return the Andaman Islands, but this thing was not available at the time. You have achieved it, and are you talking about this now? Is it possible?

This has also brought certain troubles to the Indian Navy's operations this time. A little knowledge of India in the military field can tell that there are not many excellent ports in the Indian subcontinent. India's coastline is quite smooth, which is different from that of a large country. Differently, the coastline of a certain large country looks smooth, but has thorns on it.

Of course, this is not a major problem. It is just that there are not many natural harbors. It is not a big problem to spend a little engineering renovation. If this becomes a big problem, it only means that India does not have the miraculous craftsmanship of nature.

"Actually, it's useless for us to join. The fleet at the Malayan port is dominated by battleships. Its status is very similar to the German High Seas Fleet during World War I. Its purpose is to exist, and existence is everything. Two Queen Elizabeth-class ships, one One is in Zanzibar and one is in Bahrain. Should we let the Centaur aircraft carrier from Xiangjiang pass?"

"In the current situation, the most suitable decision for the UK is to stand still. Anyway, the Andaman Islands are in our hands, and we can take action no matter when."

"There is nothing going on in Bahrain and Zanzibar now. If the United States makes special demands, it seems unjustifiable." Marshal Charles frowned, as if wondering if he could help.

"It's best not to do this. The Middle East is the world's energy center. No matter what happens, important local military forces should not be mobilized." Alan Wilson shook his head. "At least it's not that time yet. Maybe the United States or the Soviet Union , just returned the way we came."

Just on the road, Britain began to plan what to do if the United States asked for assistance? It's really a little too prepared for a rainy day. The Pacific Fleet is still far away.

After work, Alan Wilson walked directly out of Whitehall and went to criticize Monroe severely for sending the US task force to add fuel to the fire. Monroe's face turned red and she must have been ashamed.

Ever since changes occurred in Indonesia that were not conducive to the free world, a squadron of the Soviet Red Navy has been permanently stationed in Indonesia, claiming to defend Indonesia from the threat of imperialism.

In fact, it was a confrontation between Malaya's Royal Navy fleet. This fleet was incomparable with the Royal Pacific Fleet in terms of tonnage, but Malaya's huge fleet was dominated by battleships.

In the following days, the Indian Army attacking the western front finally penetrated the Pakistani defenders here. At the same time, the Indian Army on the North Road and the Indian Army on the East Road had made great progress deep into Bangladesh. The battle situation in East Pakistan It has changed suddenly.

In the Strait of Malacca, a task force dominated by the USS Enterprise nuclear-powered aircraft carrier is passing through this golden waterway, while the Far East Joint Operations Command and the Pacific Fleet Command are discussing whether the Soviet Red Navy fleet in Indonesia should leave the port. What to order? Even if it's too late.

In the end, the calm military leadership decided to kick the ball back to the mainland and leave it to the government to make a decision. At the same time, Alan Wilson was discussing post-war reconstruction issues with the Secretary-General of the Commonwealth and the Deputy Secretary-General of the Cabinet. Wick's phone call brought the three people's discussion to an end, "Secretary-General, Washington hopes that the United Kingdom can take some actions. Prevent Indonesia’s Soviet fleet from entering the Bay of Bengal.”

"I remember the intelligence from two days ago was that the Soviet fleet had passed through the Tsushima Strait. Why didn't the Americans let the Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force intercept it?" Alan Wilson, who was holding the microphone, said, "The Malacca Strait is an important gold mine in the world. Waterways are not private property of the United Kingdom. I think Americans should know the seriousness of this, not to mention that there is Indonesia across the street. When the time comes, the United States just slaps its ass and leaves, and we still have to clean up the mess?"

"Does the Foreign Secretary know about this?" After hearing Wick's answer, Alan Wilson replied, "First inform the minister about this and express the UK's difficulties."

When Alan Wilson put down the phone, John Hunter said, "But having said that, are you paying for the reconstruction of Bangladesh? You must control the investment."

"It's so simple. Just print some money. As long as the Bangladeshis recognize it, the pound and gold will have the same status." Alan Wilson whistled, "No one knows about it secretly. We are not the United States. Four to five hundred billion were printed at once.”