Chapter 374 I Also Understand the Navy

The British Empire has always been very open to the sale of warships. Of course, forget about the Soviet Union. Selling warships to ordinary countries reduces the expenditure of the Royal Navy. This is not the first time that the UK has done this. It has been done for a long time. precedent.

The British have a long history of selling warships, including new ones, second-hand ones, or custom-made ones. The UK is very open-minded in this regard.

For example, in the South American naval competition at the beginning of the century, I dare not say that the warships sold by Britain to Argentina, Brazil, and Chile were much more advanced than those used by Britain, but at least they were not worse than those used by Britain. As long as you give money, everything is easily negotiable.

Selling warships to restore blood has nothing to do with whether Alan Wilson appears or not. Britain would have done this anyway.

After World War II, Britain decommissioned a large number of ships. The British who wanted to get some blood back were naturally not willing to scrap all these ships and dismantle them. Instead, they looked for buyers everywhere and sold all they could. After all, selling second-hand whole ships was more cost-effective than dismantling them and selling them for scrap metal. too much.

The British are also going further and further on the road of selling second-hand goods. As long as you want it, as long as I have it!

Just for the Mammoth-class aircraft carriers leased to the French, four out of ten ships of the same class have been leased and sold. Some warships have been leased more than once. For example, the No. 7 ship was first leased to Canada and then sold to Argentina, and the No. 5 ship was leased to Australia. , and later sold to Brazil. They were not second-hand, but had been resold several times.

An improved version of the Mammoth-class aircraft carrier, the Majestic-class aircraft carrier is even more incredible. There are six ships of the same class, five of which have been sold to Argentina, Chile, Brazil, India, etc.

Currently, in addition to France, Canada and Australia have one Mammoth-class aircraft carrier.

In fact, Prime Minister Attlee does not object to the sale of warships, but he still has not thought about the sale of battleships.

"For example, the Netherlands and Portugal have overseas colonies that are quite far away. As long as they have needs, there is no problem if they are willing to pay." Alan Wilson did not appear particularly eager. He analyzed the specific situation in detail and said, "For example, we can sell Give the Dutch aircraft carriers, sell them to Belgian destroyers, and sell them to Swedish submarines, so that what they get is only a functional fleet. The aircraft carriers need escorts, and the Netherlands does not have them. Destroyers can only escort, and Belgium poses no threat to us. Even the Portuguese, They also don’t have auxiliary warships to support them.”

"Unless several countries join together to form a navy with aircraft carriers, battleships, destroyers and submarines. But these countries are not next to each other at all, and they are not far from the UK. We can see any trends at a glance. We can judge Because there is no threat.”

"They have accepted large warships. Belgium and the Netherlands have long lost the experience of operating large warships. We still need our Royal Navy to send people to help with training, and they can also accept to meet part of the expenses."

"In other words, let these countries use money to help us share the pressure on military expenditures?" Prime Minister Attlee nodded to himself.

His eyes kept flickering, as if he was thinking about the feasibility.

"Dear Prime Minister, this cannot be said to be helping us." Alan Wilson could not say that he used a corrective tone, but said truthfully, "It is using their money to do their things. Sweden shoulders the Soviet Baltic Fleet observation post. Even if we are indifferent to Sweden, the United States will find ways to win over Sweden, so it is better for us to give Sweden some military benefits."

"As for countries with overseas colonies, the British Empire helps them strengthen their contacts with their colonies. It is reasonable to charge some fees. Even when these functional navies are combined together to become a real fleet, they can also be commanded within the framework of the Brussels Treaty Organization. ."

"Functional navy?" Prime Minister Attlee was very interested. "For example, the Swedish Navy can only do anti-submarine warfare, the Belgian Navy can only provide escorts if it gets destroyers, and even if the Netherlands gets aircraft carriers, they can only turn to us in the East Indies to become the Pacific The fleet's auxiliary force, even if it sells aircraft carriers to the Netherlands, will it be the same as the Royal Navy's own?"

"Yes, dear Prime Minister Attlee." Alan Wilson bowed his head politely to show respect, "The emergence of functional navies in these colonial countries ultimately depends on the naval system of the British Empire to maximize their effectiveness and can also be promoted Popularization of British-made weapons. We can even lower our profile and let countries like Belgium and Sweden manufacture naval guns. Under the sign of Anglo-Dutch and Anglo-Swedish joint research, we can let them manufacture the wings of the aircraft and we manufacture the engines. Anyway, most of them Profits will flow to domestic manufacturers."

"While making money, it can also show the attitude of the British Empire and promote European unity to the outside world."

For a functional navy, just look at the Japanese Naval Self-Defense Force a few decades later. In one sentence, the main reason for the strong anti-submarine warfare in the Sea of ​​Japan is that under the U.S.-Japanese security system, the main task of the Sea of ​​Japan is anti-submarine warfare.

Since it is dependent on the US military system, during the period from the establishment of the Sea of ​​Japan to the end of the Cold War, the only two major tasks that the Sea of ​​Japan could help the US military were anti-submarine and mine countermeasures. As a result, anti-submarine warfare has naturally become the most important mission of the Sea of ​​Japan and the development tone during the Cold War.

In fact, before the Falklands War, Britain was steadily moving towards the goal of anti-submarine brigade step by step. But the Falklands War made Britain a little more sober. Some money cannot be saved.

Now Alan Wilson, in front of the Prime Minister, argued that many European countries still have overseas colonies and should strengthen their navies. It is hoped that the navies of these countries will be transformed into functional navies attached to the name of the Royal Navy.

There are two advantages to doing this now. First, Britain can be regarded as a European country.

No matter what you think, Britain can also play the role of uniting Europe. The United States is completely an American country.

The second point is that the Brussels Treaty Organization does not have the United States. Another less important point is that the United Kingdom has far less concerns than the United States when it comes to selling warships. Selling warships to restore health is not the first time it has done so. Now it has established a functional navy that relies on the Royal Navy, and can also share the British burden. The military expenditure pressure of the navy, a gold-eating behemoth.

"No wonder Edward and Norman value you so much." Prime Minister Attlee sighed after listening to Alan Wilson's step-by-step analysis of how to abolish the navies of other European countries and become part of the Royal Navy system.

They support other European countries in protecting their colonies, and they do it under the guise of joint research, one after another in a high-sounding way.

Although the navies of European countries before the war were not strong, they all had some self-research capabilities. Alan Wilson obviously wanted to abolish the ability of these countries to produce self-produced warships under the banner of joint research.

"It would be great if France's ability to manufacture warships could also be abolished." Attlee returned to the resting place silently. He suddenly thought about this possibility, but then shook his head and smiled bitterly. How could such a good thing happen?

It’s not that far from Brussels to London, and it was almost there just by the time Alan Wilson asked and answered.

After getting off the plane, the three people's destination was the same place. The Prime Minister and the Cabinet Secretary had their own things to do.

Alan Wilson reported to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, which was decorated in a garish style. Describe the results achieved during this negotiation in the face of the Soviet Union.

In fact, it was unnecessary, because he had MI6 agents around him, and they were basically in contact with the country at any time to prevent certain personnel from leaking secrets when facing the Soviet Union.

After the report, Alan Wilson waited for the news and went to find Pamela Mountbatten. He missed her after not seeing her for a few days. There was an important meeting in Paris next month, and the time was not very generous.

"My dear, what did you do when I was away?" Holding Pamela Mountbatten in his arms from behind, Alan Wilson asked with great interest, "Did you miss me?"

"That's how you attend aristocratic gatherings, watch operas, and watch games." Pamela Mountbatten leaned back against Alan Wilson and said, "Then you give some gifts to your friends, take them shopping, and introduce them. I looked at you. It’s a pity that you’re not here.”

"Oh my god, luckily your mother is very rich herself, otherwise your friends would have to wonder how much money I embezzled in India." Alan Wilson raised his eyebrows when he heard about Pamela Mountbatten's simple life. , "Although you haven't seen me, I must think that you are at a loss by being with me. After all, your friends are all from the aristocracy."

"There is such a thing, but it is only part of it." Pamela Mountbatten turned around, "They don't know you."

As Alan Wilson expected, some of Pamela Mountbatten’s friends do have this view, but this is normal.

Although Pamela Mountbatten is not a peerless beauty, as Mountbatten's daughter, her father is in a high position, her mother is very wealthy, and her fiancé has no background. It is not surprising that she has this view.

Alan Wilson said indifferently, "Although every time I take money from you, I feel like a freeloader, but I don't feel ashamed."

"That's because they don't know how powerful you are." Pamela Mountbatten covered her mouth and chuckled. Then she stood on tiptoes and kissed her fiancé. "You don't want to be like them. By the way, my father sent a telegram yesterday saying that he would take a plane immediately. He is back. He must not miss the wedding of the Crown Prince. I will take you around the aristocratic circle in the next few days."

"Are you teaching me how to do something?" Alan Wilson snorted and spoke with dignity as the head of the family.

"No, no." Pamela Mountbatten said with a flattering smile, "Please protect me from my fiancé to prevent someone with an ugly heart from having bad intentions towards me. This is my fiancé's responsibility!"

"Well, that's pretty much it." Alan Wilson nodded happily, "Let's start the day after tomorrow. I want to contact New Delhi."