Chapter 1679 Ladder Meter

Although they were not very happy in their hearts, in order to keep behind the Americans' buttocks, the Americans organized an economic inspection group headed by the deputy secretary of state as quickly as possible to inspect the British economy and analyze the feasibility of investment -- this statement of the Americans is equivalent to telling those younger brothers who have begun to have ideas unmistakable: Look, follow your boss, I will do it, and I will definitely not treat you badly.

Faced with the sudden enthusiasm of the Americans, the British seemed a little caught off guard.

Speaking realistically, the news that Britain is going to sell the "Invincible" aircraft carrier is not actually a deliberate attempt by the British Government to seek benefits from the Americans, nor is it that Britain's economic and government finances are really unable to maintain the current size of its armed forces.

Are these MPs really like the cynicism in the media, with all straw and stuffed in their heads, wondering what it means for Britain to cut an aircraft carrier? Of course not, as the elite of society, if they can't see such a simple question, it would be too underestimating the IQ of these guys.

But why do these parliamentarians know that there is no benefit to Britain in selling an aircraft carrier, and they are still there to put pressure on the military? The reason is very simple, to put it bluntly, in order to expand the influence of their own political ideas and work hard for their side to be able to monopolize the regime, so they use the good slogan of "democracy and freedom" to seek the welfare of the people, but in fact they are really doing the work of digging the foundation of the country.

For these guys, there is a good reason: the daily maintenance, training, fuel consumption, ammunition consumption, personnel expenses, software costs, etc., etc., of an aircraft carrier group, will add up to an astronomical amount

Generally speaking, the maintenance cost of the entire aircraft carrier formation is similar to the cost of the entire aircraft carrier formation, that is to say, the maintenance cost of the aircraft carrier formation for one year is one-eighth of its own cost. That is, the heavy aircraft carrier formation does not exceed $1.5 billion a year, the medium-sized aircraft carrier formation does not exceed $1 billion a year, and the light aircraft carrier formation does not exceed $500 million a year

So these parliamentarians have a good reason: now that it is peacetime, what are they spending so much money on the army every year? It is better to invest in the economy and increase some employment opportunities.

Of course, they will not be ignorant of the principle of "raising troops for a thousand days and using them for a while." At this time, an aircraft carrier formation has been abolished, and these well-trained soldiers, backbone grass-roots officers, middle-level officers, and carrier-based aircraft pilots will all be shunted or retired; if any large-scale war really breaks out in the world, even if there are ready-made aircraft carriers and carrier-based aircraft, this aircraft carrier formation will absolutely not be able to form combat effectiveness in more than three years

They won't be ignorant of these truths, but for these parliamentarians, what does these matters concern them? As long as you have made enough brilliant achievements during your reign, you will be enough to enjoy your life peacefully, what should you do when you have a headache? Let the government at that time have a headache

This is also a drawback of democracy, in peacetime, those who carry the slogan of democracy and freedom, one by one, all exert their strength to win votes for themselves, as long as they can get enough votes for themselves, not to mention reducing military spending, even if they let them sell half of the government, they will never be ambiguous.

The new generation of the aircraft carrier "Queen Elizabeth" was stopped and started more than once during the period from the time it was proposed to the beginning of the demonstration, and so on and so forth. Why is it taking so long to drag and tear on, and until now the keel has not been laid? Isn't it because of this little bullshit?

Of course, these filths are naturally not easy to explain to people, but at this time, the Americans actually took the initiative to come together to give themselves benefits, and for the British, this can definitely be regarded as a surprise

But the unexpected joy is the unexpected joy, and no guy would want this windfall sent to the door.

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"The British government cordially met with the business delegation headed by Deputy Secretary of State Negroponte, and the two sides conducted friendly consultations on bilateral cooperation, and the US Deputy Secretary of State Negroponte said that the friendship between the United States and Britain has a long historical tradition, and ......for the American people, the host of the international channel of the news network is now gushing about the trend of the US government's delegation headed by Deputy Secretary of State Negroponte on the business inspection of the United Kingdom.

"A long historical tradition? Hehe, this historical tradition is really long enough. Looking at the broadcast in the news, Zhang Lan smiled. Think about the American Revolution and the ghosts that the British did to the Americans after the Revolutionary War, I wonder if these guys felt a fever on their faces when they said these words?

"Americans are still ...... Hehe......" Alice fluttered with a pair of big beautiful eyes and laughed. Coincidentally, among the large American companies that went to the UK with the US government delegation this time, there were two companies under the Alice Group.

"It doesn't matter, the British, like the United States now, have come from an era of invincibility, and they know very well that there is no such thing as a free lunch, and at this time they have received a share of the benefits from the Americans, and they must be prepared to shed a lot of blood when necessary...... Is it really that Americans can get their money? Zhang Lan was extremely contemptuous of the high-ranking officials of the United States and Britain talking and laughing in the news.

"Over the years, the British have not been spending less money behind the Americans." Jill added.

"The key is this time...... The Americans absolutely do not want to see the British weaken their military presence in the Middle East, and if the British withdraw the 'Invincible' aircraft carrier, the only thing that can form an effective military deterrent to Iraq now is the Americans' three aircraft carrier squadrons. As far as the U.S. government is concerned, they absolutely do not want to see the war in Iraq end up being a one-man show for themselves. Zhang Lan said with certainty, frowning again, "In that case, should we also do something?" ”,

"Do something?" A few little girls were taken aback by Zhang Lan's sinister tone: This little ancestor is not planning to plot against the Americans and the British, right? Belch...... However, judging from this kid's temper that he has always been not afraid of, since he has already said so, it seems very possible

"Well, do something" Zhang Lan nodded heavily, he didn't want to see the Americans and the British come together so "harmoniously", the British who got benefits from the Americans, no matter what, they have to do something to show it, how to say it? Naturally, he did something on the battlefield in Iraq to prove to the Americans that he was still useful.

But if the British want to prove to the Americans that they are still useful, then this is not good news for Zhang Lan. So what to do? Of course, it is not possible to attack the British or the Americans' aircraft carrier formations, and who knows what the Americans and the British will do when the time comes? On the premise of not being fully sure, Zhang Lan will not act rashly.

"The Indian government said that it will organize an inspection mission composed of the government and the military in the next few days to negotiate with the British government and military, and before that, the Indian government has revealed that in addition to the strong interest in the 'invincible' aircraft carrier, analysts believe that the fundamental reason for the Indian government's visit to Britain is a tentative and preliminary contact with the British to sell the 'invincible' aircraft carrier...... "In the news, a newly aired news attracted Zhang Lan's attention.

"Huh...... India's three are going to be unable to sit still so soon" watching Indian President Abdullah on TV. When Kalam swore by him, Zhang Lan couldn't help but sneer.

Ah San is Ah San, and he really can't help it, and he wants to seek to become a regional power? Zhang Lan doesn't think there's anything wrong with this, but if India becomes a regional power at the expense of infringing on China's interests, then Zhang Lan feels a little embarrassed.

Think about what India has done over the years, desperately developing its own armed forces, in a vain attempt to suppress China with a military force stronger than China's; In the Indian Ocean, the Indian Navy also often stumbles on Chinese merchant ships, although it has not caused any economic losses to Chinese merchant ships, let alone dared to come over to provoke ships flying the logo of Alice Group, but as long as he thinks of the hateful face of Indian Ah San, the anger in Zhang Lan's heart does not hit anywhere

What makes Zhang Lan especially angry is that this guy still wants to seek Tibet, not only hooking up with ** lamas who fled abroad, but also making trips to China on the Tibet issue.

In that case, what else is there to say, let's clean them up fiercely

Although the expression on her face did not change, the change in Zhang Lan's eyes still did not hide from a few little girls.

A few little girls glanced at each other, and Xiao Chenxi asked, "Are you trying to make some trouble for India?" ”

"If you can give them some trouble at this time, that's fine."

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It's a pity that before Zhang Lan could get trouble with Indian Ah San, a new piece of news disrupted Zhang Lan's plan.

The greedy polar bear made a concession at this time that no one expected: After urgent consultations, the Russian government informed the Indian government that Russia, as a good friend and partner of India, has been actively helping India develop its modern military and armed forces, and as a commemoration of the friendship between the two countries, the Russian government has decided to give India the aircraft carrier "Admiral Gorshkov," which has been mothballed, free of charge.

In the top-secret document submitted by the Russian government to the Indian government, the Russian government even assured the Indian government that if India accepts the "Admiral Gorshkov" aircraft carrier "gifted" by the Russian government, and if it is modified in Russia and the carrier-based aircraft are purchased in Russia, the Russian government will vigorously assist the Indian government in building a powerful maritime armed force to counter the increasingly serious threat: China.

The specific method is that if India follows the conditions that Russia has put forward, the Russian Government has decided to lease two advanced "Akula"-class attack nuclear submarines to India, in addition to giving the "Admiral Gorshkov" aircraft carrier to India free of charge

Of course, as an international restriction on the proliferation of missile technology, the "Akula"-class attack nuclear submarines leased to India will not be equipped with the signature SS-N-21 submarine-launched long-range cruise missiles with a range of up to 3,000 km.

The aircraft carrier "Admiral Gorshkov" does not need money to give away for free? Also willing to rent out advanced "Akula"-class attack nuclear submarines to yourself? In an instant, the eyes of the Indians lit up, and they suddenly found that it seemed that the sky did not fall pie, no, this fell to a big pie on their heads?

Compared with the British, even if their "Invincible" aircraft carrier is cheaper, it is impossible not to do without money, right? Moreover, the full load displacement of the "Invincible" aircraft carrier is only 20,600 tons, the length is only 209.1 meters, and the width is only a pitiful 36 meters, while the full load displacement of the "Admiral Gorshkov" aircraft carrier is as high as 44,720 tons, the length is 273 meters, and the width is 56.2 meters, which is more than twice as large as the "Invincible."

Larger displacement, longer decks and wider hulls are fatal to the Indians, and a larger displacement aircraft carrier certainly means more fighters and weapons, which means greater regional influence and deterrence

For India, which is seeking to become a regional power and to have a greater voice in the international community, this temptation is simply irresistible.

It is a pity that the "simple" Indians have not yet understood what an insidious conspiracy lies behind this seemingly generous condition offered by the Russians.

And as soon as this news came out, the whole world was in an uproar

No one thought that at this time, the damned Russians suddenly came with such a trick, and after the Russians came with such a trick, the British were more miserable than them

Of course, there is no doubt that India is the largest possible buyer of the British aircraft carrier "Invincible", but now that Russia has inserted a lever in this way, it seems that all countries can already watch as the big cake of the Indians flies away from under the noses of the British, just like the roast chicken that has been roasted and placed on the table, with a dinner knife on it, and is still steaming, suddenly flutters its wings and flies away.

The domestic news, of course, focused on this matter, the old-fashioned announcer like a wooden man, is introducing the situation of the military transaction between Russia and India at a glance, and what is being broadcast at this moment is the triumphant speech of the Russian defense minister: "Yes, this military procurement is a testimony to the friendship between the governments of Russia and India, and the Russian government will seal it." The aircraft carrier Admiral Gorshkov was donated to the Indian Navy free of charge, and in order to hand over to the Indian Navy an aircraft carrier that best suits the needs of the Indian Navy, the Russian government promised to complete the refit of this aircraft carrier with the greatest strength......

Looking at the radiant Russians on TV and the smug tail that can't wait to reach the sky, it seems that today it gets a nuclear submarine from the Russians, and tomorrow it will be able to completely suppress China, Zhang Lan finally couldn't help but curse fiercely

"Bang~" There was a crisp sound, and a delicate crystal cup was slammed to the ground by Zhang Lan

I knew that there was a little bit of dealings between Indians and Russians at the beginning, but why did I forget it, and there was more than this transaction between the two families, and the news that has not yet been announced and kept strictly secret by the two governments is that in order to win over the Indians, the Russian government even decided to lease two 'Akula' class attack nuclear submarines to the Indian Navy in order to cultivate India's maritime attack force.

Of course, Zhang Lan also knew that Lao Maozi's aircraft carrier was not really given to the Indians "for free"; although the aircraft carrier itself was "given away for free," the installation must be carried out by the Russians, and the modification of the weapons, electronics, and command systems on the entire 'Admiral Gorshkov' aircraft carrier must be entrusted to the Russian Modern Machine Factory.

Moreover, for the carrier-based fighters of the subsequent "Admiral Gorshkov" aircraft carrier, the Indian Government must also adopt the Russian MiG-29K carrier-based fighters.

The cost of the modification of the aircraft carrier "Admiral Gorshkov", armament and the procurement of carrier-based aircraft totaled $700 million, and the total amount of the entire package was about $1.5 billion

Zhang Lan is very clear about the Indians' desire for nuclear submarines

Between 1988 and 1991, India leased a joint K-43 submarine (Charlie-1 nuclear submarine) from the former Soviet Union. In the course of three years of use, the Indian Government, which has profoundly experienced the power of nuclear submarines, immediately launched the "Advanced Battleship Technology Program" codenamed "ATV" -- began to organize personnel to design its own nuclear submarines.

For Zhang Lan, the Indians master advanced attack nuclear submarines? This is something he absolutely cannot accept

Fortunately, if Lao Tzu did not have a foundation, the "Admiral Gorshkov" aircraft carrier may not be able to be refitted before 2010, and the "Akula"-class attack nuclear submarine will be delivered to the Indian Navy as soon as 2010. Judging from the current situation, Lao Tzu still has enough time to do his hands and feet."

Zhang Lan gritted her teeth fiercely, her white teeth in the past glowed with cold light.

(Octave.)