Chapter 407 The Future of the Navy

Wilhelmshaven, headquarters of the German Navy's High Seas Fleet. The current German navy can be described as strong and strong. The strength of the High Seas Fleet has reached its peak. 24 advanced battleships, plus 12 advanced battlecruisers, brought the total number of capital ships of the German Navy to 36. That's still not counting those pre-dreadnoughts. If the former dreadnoughts are counted, the total number of capital ships of the German Navy will reach sixty.

Of course, it is already recognized that those former dreadnoughts are not very useful in naval battles. If the number of pre-dreadnought ships is to be counted among the capital ships, the British Navy has an absolute advantage. After all, Britain built dozens of pre-dreadnought ships before the war. It's just that the combat power of those former dreadnoughts is very rubbish. Once on the battlefield, they can only be slaughtered. Even for the sake of the lives of the sailors, these former dreadnoughts cannot be easily sent to the battlefield.

Admiral Reinhardt Scheer, commander of the German Navy's High Seas Fleet, is talking with Lieutenant General Franz von Hipper, chief of staff of the fleet. Sitting in the office, the two were filled with emotion as they watched the warships in the port.

"General Hipper, I really didn't expect it! In just over ten years, our navy has developed to the point it is now. Purely in terms of strength, we have surpassed the United Kingdom and become the veritable No. 1 navy. A naval power." Admiral Reinhard Scheer said. Catching up with the Royal Navy has always been their goal. Although, the decisive battle has not yet begun. However, this goal appears to have been achieved ahead of schedule. Admiral Reinhard Scheer also believed that even if the decisive battle broke out now, they would still be sure to defeat the British.

"Yes! This is thanks to the wise leadership of His Royal Highness the Crown Prince. If it weren't for His Royal Highness, and relying on the guys from the Naval Technical Committee to develop step by step, we would not be able to surpass the British even if we died." Fran Lieutenant General Z von Hipper highly praised Qin Tian. There are countless people similar to Lieutenant General Hipper in the German Navy. It can be said that with his own ability, Qin Tian already has a lot of die-hard supporters in the navy.

Admiral Reinhard Scheer nodded, he was also very convinced of Qin Tian.

"However, we have stopped building new capital ships since the 'Bavaria-class' battleships and the 'Mackenson-class' battlecruisers. If this continues, can our advantage be maintained? According to the information we have obtained, the British People are frantically building new capital ships. The Americans on the other side of the ocean, after being slapped in the face by us last time, have also started to build ships frantically. In the future, our pressure will be even greater." Lieutenant General Hipper Then he said.

"His Royal Highness the Crown Prince does not intend to build any more battleships. However, I think His Royal Highness is right. Although capital ships are the main force of naval warfare now, they will no longer be the main force soon. Therefore, if we build the main force again It is a complete waste of resources. If the Imperial Navy wants to continue to maintain its position as the world's hegemon in the future, it must continue to innovate. His Royal Highness's vision is farther than ours!" Reinhard Sher Admiral Er sighed.

"Battleships and battlecruisers and other capital ships will no longer be the main force? How is that possible?" Lieutenant General Franz von Hipper seemed a little unbelievable. As the chief of staff of the High Seas Fleet and an excellent naval commander, he is undoubtedly a believer in large ships and cannons.

"Yes, they will be obsolete soon," Admiral Reinhard Scheer assured.

"Then what will be the main force of future naval warfare? Submarines, or aircraft carriers as secret weapons?" Lieutenant General Hipper asked.

"Your Excellency Chief of Staff, last week, I personally observed the actual combat exercise of our two aircraft carriers. It was held in the Baltic Sea. The carrier-based aircraft that took off from the two aircraft carriers launched an attack on the target ship. It is hard for you to imagine I saw how shocking the scene of the overwhelming attack by carrier-based aircraft is. The warships on the sea are completely under siege. Although, the carrier-based aircraft on board the aircraft carrier can only use light aviation torpedoes and 200 However, His Royal Highness the Crown Prince claimed that with the advancement of technology, the aircraft carrier in service at the next level will be able to carry carrier-based aircraft capable of carrying medium-sized aerial torpedoes and aerial bombs weighing up to 500 kilograms At that time, the attack power of the aircraft carrier will be further enhanced, and there will be a fatal threat to the capital ship." Admiral Reinhardt Scheer said.

Although it was difficult for Lieutenant General Hipper to accept such a result, he couldn't help but nodded. If the armor of a battleship can resist light torpedoes, then medium torpedoes can undoubtedly pose a great threat to it. Not to mention, it may be equipped with carrier-based aircraft capable of carrying heavy torpedoes in the future. At that time, it will be the time to really challenge the status of the battleship.

"It seems that we can't wait long for the big guns we have been insisting on." Hipper shook his head with a wry smile.

"Yes, this decisive battle between us and the British Navy may be the pinnacle battle of the era of big ships and cannons, and it will also be the end battle. In the next naval battle, the main force will no longer be these battleships, but It is aircraft carriers and carrier-based aircraft. I am very fortunate that in the era of big ships and giant guns, we surpassed the British. In the next era of aircraft carriers and carrier-based aircraft, we will continue to surpass other countries and lead the world's navy This will make our navy as strong as ever. The imperial navy in the future will still be the most powerful navy in the world.” Admiral Reinhard Scheer is full of enthusiasm for the future confidence.

"General, your words are very good. Whether it is the era of large ships and giant guns or the era of aircraft carriers and carrier-based aircraft, as long as we can continue to lead the world, that is our victory. In the future, the Imperial Navy will still be able to Dominate the world," Lieutenant General Hipper said.

"Well, the construction of the next four aircraft carriers has already started. The research and development of carrier-based aircraft has also entered a critical period. In the future, the Imperial Navy will be even stronger. Of course, we have to wait until the new aircraft carrier enters service. The British have been defeated. I hope that we can use a brilliant victory to draw a successful end to the era of big ships and cannons!"