Chapter 539: First wave of anti-submarine drills

The behind-the-scenes restaurant is located near the Palais Bourbon in the 7th arrondissement of Paris.

In the beginning, it only existed as a high-end restaurant serving the upper class.

However, because the environment is relatively private, not too far from core institutions, and the high price sets a certain threshold for entry, it has gradually become a place for some middle- and high-level people to "have small meetings" after get off work.

After several decades, the status of this restaurant has risen sharply, and it has basically reached the level of "no businessmen".

People in politics, business, and entertainment circles tend to talk about things they don't want to make public here.

Correspondingly, the privacy and security inside the restaurant have also improved far beyond those of the past.

It is said that no media has ever dug out useful information in this restaurant.

Despite this, many reporters still like to squat nearby to see if they can catch any useful information.

After get off work, Le Maire did not use his own driver, but asked Caroline to drive him to the door of the restaurant behind the scenes in a private car.

What is going to happen next is suspected of exceeding authority. Although it is impossible for anyone to seize any evidence, the fewer people who know, the better.

As Le Maire's secretary, Caroline is technically a government employee and is not completely controlled by the latter, but both prosper and suffer losses at the same time, which is much more reliable than a driver who drives the same for everyone.

Of course, the more important point is that Caroline got the news about Vice Admiral Laurie Vojul's fleet visit and even the detailed schedule.

She was the insider.

"I'll wait for you in the parking lot on the east block."

Caroline dropped Flamel at the door of the hotel and drove away.

It's like dropping an acquaintance halfway along the way.

For a restaurant of this level and type, it is a basic professional ethics not to ask the customer’s identity.

Flamel called out a series of numbers, and the staff pointed out the location of the private room to him.

Following the other party's guidance, he quickly opened the private room door with a card.

Vice Admiral Vojour, who was also wearing casual clothes and a low-key appearance, was already sitting inside.

Judging from the remaining amount of coffee in front of me, I must have been waiting for a while.

"Good evening, Laurie."

After meeting, the two first gave each other a warm hug.

Although we don't meet often, we are still from the same hometown who are working hard in Paris, and it is absolutely impossible to be a stranger:

"Sorry for coming a little late. I went to Singapore on a business trip before and I have a lot of things to deal with when I come back."

"It's okay, Guillaume."

Vojour patted Flamel on the shoulder, indicating that he didn't care:

"It's boring desk work, I understand."

Flamel slowly hung his hat, scarf and windbreaker on the coat rack, and then sat down opposite Vojour:

"It's not all useless things."

"For example, our association has recently prepared to establish a military aviation equipment management committee and is considering the specific composition of candidates."

"Then it's still..."

The lieutenant general wanted to blurt out something useless, but he realized something was wrong mid-sentence.

Flamel is not a newbie, so he said this out of the blue on this occasion, obviously not because he had nothing to say.

But to imply something.

"What is this committee specifically responsible for?"

Vojour poured coffee into the cup in front of the fellow villager and asked casually.

"Meeting the needs of aviation companies and the military, and then being responsible for some quality supervision and equipment acceptance as a third party, it's a hard job."

Seeing the other party taking the bait, Flamel immediately explained.

Of course, Wojru would never believe this evaluation.

Responsible for management and acceptance, all fools know that this is the most lucrative position.

Of course, the lieutenant general himself is an active soldier and holds a high official position, so it is definitely impossible for him to do it himself.

But if you can arrange for one of your cronies or even relatives...

There is still much to be done.

Of course, Vojour knew very well that it was impossible for Flamel to call him here specifically for charity.

Although the two are from the same hometown, their relationship is not that good.

However, in this situation, it would be hard for him to engage in revolving door transactions too nakedly.

So the scene froze for a moment.

Seeing the lieutenant general's reaction, Flamel knew that his foreplay had been done well.

It's time to get down to business.

"Laurie, I heard from friends in the media two days ago that you will take the fleet to visit East and Southeast Asia in a while?"

After the waiter rang the doorbell and came in to bring the dinner for two people, Le Maire asked straight away.

The visit itself is not much of a secret, but the specific itinerary has not been made public.

"Yes."

Wu Ruer nodded helplessly:

"This is a real hard job. It will take nearly half a year including the distance. Fortunately, there is a big ship called Durance River in the formation. Otherwise, I don't know how I will spend these few months..."

Young junior crew members generally like to go on ships and go on missions because they can get higher subsidies.

But for a senior general of Wojru's level, this little money no longer matters.

This visit is not an important mission that attracts national attention. For this reason, leaving Paris, the center of power, for a long time is definitely not worth the gain.

"What's the specific schedule for the visit?"

Le Maire's question clearly crossed a line.

Logically speaking, the fleet's sailing schedule should be kept secret.

But under the current circumstances, it is certainly impossible for Wojru to refuse to answer:

“Starting from the Port of Toulon, crossing the Suez Canal, visiting Egypt, then heading east along the Arabian Peninsula and the Indian Peninsula, first stopping at India and Bangladesh, then the eight ASEAN countries except Cambodia and Vietnam, then Japan, South Korea, and finally Go to China."

"Just a visit?"

Flamel's tone was brisk, like chatting, and you couldn't tell where his focus was.

"Other countries are, and finally China. The above request is to conduct some surface activities with the Chinese Navy to enhance mutual trust between the two sides, but so far no specific arrangements have been determined."

Warruer said, taking a piece of snail meat out of the shell and stuffing it into his mouth:

"My adjutant is writing the specific visit plan. If nothing unexpected happens, it will probably include crew football games, joint search and rescue exercises, and main gun target shooting. It's a cliché..."

"Can you consider arranging a joint anti-submarine exercise?"

Flamel did not go around in circles and said directly:

"Of course it doesn't need to be particularly complicated. It just needs to show off our navy's anti-submarine capabilities."

His idea is simple.

When he was in Singapore before, he once asked the exhibitors from China sideways if the improved Dolphin helicopter was an active equipment of the Chinese army.

The reply received was that the assault transport type on display has not yet entered service with the Chinese Army, but a prototype of the naval type using similar improvement ideas has been delivered to the navy for trial.

According to Le Maire’s experience, the Chinese Navy is currently at a stage where it needs to demonstrate its military strength to outsiders.

Therefore, if such an exercise can be arranged, there will definitely be a chance to see the original dolphin and the improved dolphin compared in the same field.

Then he can find a reason to cooperate with China.

Deciding on the specific content of the visit may sound like a big deal, but for Vojul it was just a matter of writing.

"Hiss... I wish you had said it earlier."

He said in a somewhat regretful tone:

"The Jean Bart is a C70-class air defense ship. If you want to demonstrate its anti-submarine capabilities, it is best to use the F70 anti-submarine model..."

"No need."

Flamel quickly shook his fork in mid-air:

"The anti-submarine helicopter on the F70 is a Big Lynx. We can't use our resources to promote the British..."

Although he said that, Wojruer on the opposite side quickly understood the implication:

"Are you going to take this opportunity to show off the performance of our helicopters, let the Chinese Navy learn a lot, and advertise by the way?"

One sentence almost choked Le Maire.

He said in his heart that I really want people to gain knowledge, but I don’t want Chinese people to...

But it would be a bit troublesome to explain it.

So after thinking for a while, he nodded.

"Yes, that's it."

"That's easy to say."

The lieutenant general did not doubt his presence and immediately agreed to Flamel's request:

"Although we still need to coordinate with the Chinese side, a simple anti-submarine exercise is not a sensitive project. I guess it won't be a big problem..."