Chapter 102: Cruiser plan
"No matter from a technical point of view, demand or strategic situation, we should not be equipped with a larger cruiser in the short term. This will cause tension and hostility from some powerful countries." Ruprecht said meaningfully.
"Damn the British! Damn the British fleet, they are robbers! Think of the whole world of the ocean as your own back garden! Sooner or later I will show those arrogant British people a little bit of color!" His Royal Highness naturally Know who Ruprecht is talking about. Ever since, William felt that he and Ruprecht had found one thing in common, and that was their hatred of the British!
"That's something for the future. Before we are strong enough, we must consider these things. What we want is benefit, not a momentary indulgence!" Ruprecht knows the fighting power of William II! That is definitely the mocking skill MAX! If the Kruger Telegraph is suspected of the British government's diversion of domestic attention, then the head is completely broken when Mexico is used to attack the United States during the war! William II did not look at what country Mexico is, and what country is the United States? The difference between the two sides is N levels, why is the United States so big now? Just because of the weak Mexico next to it!
"Our cruiser fleet is almost the strongest cruiser formation outside of the United Kingdom. The French and Russians are not as good as us. The six Munich-class armored cruisers are enough for us to contain the ocean-going maritime forces of other countries except Britain! Also! In other words, to a certain extent, our cruiser formation is temporarily enough!" Ruprecht said.
"But the Russians will soon surpass us, and the French may also expand their cruiser formations, and the United States on the other side of the ocean. The number of their various cruisers will exceed a dozen in the next three years!" William II said.
"That's it, so our cruiser plan is best to start in 1898. If all goes well at this time, Russia will have 3 10,000-ton-class armored cruisers and 2 Munich-class cruisers, and the Americans will have enough. Exceeding our cruiser formation, and at this time, if we renew our efforts, it will not arouse the vigilance of some countries! We must let Britain focus all its attention on the Far East, so that our plan can develop smoothly without external interference. "
William II belonged to the kind of tyrant who would do things as soon as his head was congested, and he would often regret it after doing things. He was not a reckless man who didn’t know the severity and couldn’t distinguish the situation. He could only say that he was less self-controlling, and sometimes he didn’t bump into it. Once a wall, it is difficult to look back....... And from a historical point of view, William II was still a little afraid of Britain, otherwise he would not immediately admit counsel after the Kruger Telegraph incident...
"Is there a way to update our cruiser fleet as soon as possible without overly stimulating the British?" Although the ending of the Far East incident is not perfect for Germany, it is more about face, and the lining is not bad. . The powerful combat effectiveness of cruisers in ocean warfare still made William II's heart fascinating. And for a person who has a strong desire for colonies, he also plans to use this fleet to reap some new benefits!
"There is an immature way. We now have 6 Munich-class cruisers. After the Qing-Japanese War, the Qing Dynasty is very likely to rebuild the navy. With the performance of the Mainz, they will choose to buy the Munich-class armored cruiser. ! And they will be relatively short of money, we can sell them two Munich-class armored cruisers at a reduced price!" Ruprecht said.
What if I want to buy good things but don’t want to spend more? That's easy! Buy second-hand goods directly! A Munich-class armored cruiser is about 650,000 pounds, and the Qing country cannot afford it, so buy a second-hand goods that have been used for several years, and it is in stock! Deal with it cheaply, both parties are happy!
"If this is the case, we can start construction of new armored cruisers next year." William II is not stupid. If there are only 4 Munich-class armored cruisers, then no one can say anything about expanding the cruiser fleet!
"You are in a hurry. The Qing country hasn't ordered yet, so you should start working? Besides, I just said it is possible, not certain!" Ruprecht complained inwardly.
"Well, actually, there is another way. The Russians ordered two new armored cruisers, but I am worried that they might give up in the end. Can these two half-built warships be handed over to the German Navy? I promise. The turrets and weapons of this class of cruiser can be compatible with German weapons!" Ruprecht thought for a while, and finally confessed to William, and Ruprecht also prepared a back hand, if the German navy asks for a reduced price. Yes, after all, the Russian Navy also advanced one-third of the purchase price. If William wants something good, he can use it as a public relations fee!
In an instant, William II wanted to understand. "It turns out to be the German navy!" Think about it carefully, the German navy is not at a disadvantage. First of all, Ruprecht has promised to make relevant reservations. The main guns of the battleship can be replaced with German artillery at any time, and The 4 second-level main guns can also be replaced with single-mounted main guns. It is basically the same as Plan 1, and the price is very cheap. After all, even if the Russians gave up, they must have paid part of the purchase price. The Imperial Navy can even buy it at a cost lower than the cost!
From a purely cost-effective point of view, it would be no problem for the German Navy to buy such a warship. Besides, are you all friends~www.wuxiaspot.com~ It is also okay to help each other. And the prince of Bavaria will definitely give some benefits! But this matter has a problem with the program!
There is no naval bill yet. What is the greatest use of the naval bill? That is, the annual shipbuilding funds allocated to the navy are fixed in accordance with the legal situation, and there is no need to pass the parliamentary review every year! Now that there is no such bill, the military expenditures of the German Navy must be reviewed by the parliament every year. If the Russians rejected these two warships in 1897, it would be impossible for the German Navy to spend hundreds of thousands of pounds to complete this. 2 battleships! There may be surplus in the budget, but it will never be rich with hundreds of thousands of pounds!
And there is also a risk that if other design bureaus have better designs during this time, or the Admiralty puts forward higher requirements, then these two warships may still be out of date! Germany is not only Ruprecht a design bureau, and if there is a design bureau to launch a better warship (for example, a cruiser with 6 260MM or even 280MM guns on the central axis), then follow the principle of selecting the best. Hit can't force it, right?
Russia is indeed good, but after all, it is only a takeaway, Ruprecht still has reservations, and the plan for the second cruiser has been disseminated. If the German Navy asked for the No. 2 plan for naming the surname, Ruprecht would have nothing to do! Now Ruprecht has limited regrets. It seems that he has taken a big step?
"It is difficult, both in terms of design and procedures. I can only say try my best!" William II gave a very vague answer!
Thanks to the book friends, the first tank guard brigade, the old students, the lamp-burning men, and the Pauline gods for their rewards~~~. The second is more~~~, ask for collection, ask for reward~~~.
