Riots in Borneo, especially in Dutch territories, were of no concern to Rome.
For the Roman government, the current domestic development is even more concerning.
However, compared with the government, King Carlo has been a little different recently. He is planning to wander around the country, no, go on patrol.
In the Andosare shipyard located on the side of the Genoa port, military and police gathered together today, and spies were intensive. The workers in the shipyard knew without guessing that a big shot must be visiting today.
Their guess was correct, King Carlo I and Admiral Argyle, Minister of the Navy, came to inspect.
The Admiral became Yagir, but what about Admiral Golek?
A mistake needs to be supported here. Former Navy Minister Gorek was not an admiral. Three days before his retirement, this old man who had been fighting for the navy for most of his life finally became a marshal. Marshal Gorek sounds much better than Admiral Gorek.
Alright.
Of course, in addition to the actual benefit of Golek's honor, the navy actually also benefited a lot, because the navy did not have a field marshal in the past, which made the navy officers and soldiers feel a little less confident in front of the army.
Now that both the navy and the army have marshals, no one can blame the other. Although the navy's is a retired marshal, he is still a marshal.
Okay, let’s put aside the honor aspect and talk about practical matters. In this year’s military budget, the proportion of funds occupied by the Navy has set a new record, reaching 41.4% of the total military expenditure. Such a high proportion is not only due to the decrease in Army layoffs.
In addition to the army's funds, the navy's updated equipment has not reduced the cost of cutting personnel and tonnage much at all.
Carlo and the new Minister of the Navy, Admiral Yagier, came this time just to inspect the refitted warship. It was said to be refitted, but in fact, it was to replace the cannon of the warship.
Didn't we successfully develop rapid-fire guns before? Now that there are new guns, the old naval guns should be replaced. Although this costs a lot of money, it is still lower than the cost of a newly built warship.
"Your Majesty, please take a look. This is the Brescia armored cruiser that we are currently refitting. We are currently refitting the ship and enhancing its structural strength at the same time."
Argil pointed to a tall warship in the dock and introduced it to Carlo.
Carlo looked up and saw that the Brescia was already covered with tripods. After boarding the ship, the most eye-catching thing was the two eye-catching large holes that stood out in it.
Admiral Yagier on the side pointed at the big hole and said, "Your Majesty, this was originally the installation location of the Brescia's first-level main gun. Due to the emergence of new rapid-fire naval guns, the navy can only keep up with the times. At present,
The main guns to be refitted for the Brescia are two new 42x203mm naval guns, which are manufactured by the Tabuto Naval Arsenal. Currently..."
Admiral Yagir gave a detailed explanation of the selection of new naval guns. In fact, the Navy was actually very resistant to replacing the main guns of the two cruise ships with 8-inch guns.
However, it is impossible not to replace it. The new naval gun is more powerful, has stronger recoil, and has a faster rate of fire. Of course, this also leads to a heavier tonnage of the new naval gun, which places new requirements on the strength of the warship.
The design department suggested that either the twin tube must be replaced by a single tube, or the caliber must be changed. In the end, the Navy was still reluctant to bear the twin tube and could only choose to change the caliber, so the 203mm caliber became the only option. This can be regarded as a realistic compromise.
After Admiral Yagir finished speaking, Carlo looked at the battleship undergoing modifications in front of him and said, "When will the modifications be completed?"
"The modification should be completed within the year. The modification of the three Turin-class ships is relatively simple, because only the second-level main gun and other artillery need to be replaced, and the most important first-level main gun will not be moved. The main reason is that the modification of the two patrol ships is relatively simple.
Trouble, they will be replaced inside and out. In fact, according to our navy's thinking, the cost of replacing the guns of two Venice-class cruisers is better invested in the research and development of new cruisers. The cost of such a modification is almost as much as half of a cruiser.
Already."
Well, Carlo directly filtered out the second half of what Admiral Yagir said. The Navy has always wanted to go on patrol with new equipment, from the predecessor Golek to the current Admiral Yagir. They have been working hard for this. However,
This is of no use because the government cannot come up with the money.
The government's goals in recent years have been very clear. As there is currently no external pressure on Italy, it is to reduce military spending and use the money for debt repayment and domestic development. You must know that last year, the government saved 150 million lire due to the reduction of military spending.
Wouldn't it be nice to invest this money in industry or develop colonies? How many things can this solve?
Therefore, taking advantage of the peaceful environment, it is extremely difficult for the government to open its mouth.
Admiral Yagir also knows this, but no matter how difficult it is for him as the new Minister of the Navy, he must strive for it. Otherwise, the Navy has not achieved any results since he took office. Wouldn't this be embarrassing for himself? So while he is with me, he has to fight for it.
For the opportunity to travel with the king, he even wanted to start directly with Carlo.
The Navy will never forget the origin of the Venice-class patrol. If it weren't for the royal family's funding, how would they know how good the patrol was. This may make the king feel compassionate and allow the Navy to once again have free shipbuilding funds.
.
However, Admiral Yagir, or the navy, had a good idea, but they did not consider the reality.
What was the situation then and what is the situation now? If it really goes to the Navy, what will the Army do?
Besides, the royal family’s money is not brought by strong winds, so it can’t be said that it is there.
So ignoring the meaning of Admiral Yagir's words, Carlo continued. "The modification time should be as soon as possible. You still need to leave time for the officers and soldiers to adapt again."
Carlo's words gave Admiral Yagir a strange smell. Being so urgent means that the king needs to use the navy for something. As long as the navy can be used, this is a good thing.
Is it Borneo or somewhere else?
Admiral Yagir's brain was working very fast at this time, and he was analyzing the king's purpose.
Carlo, who had no idea what his words were revealing, glanced at the Minister of the Navy next to him.
"Admiral Yagier, your navy's ocean-going training needs to be strengthened next. The Italian Navy can't just stay in the Mediterranean, but it must also go out and let others see it."
Admiral Yagir, who had not yet figured it out, could only put down his inner thoughts and said, "Your Majesty, our Navy already has a plan, and plans to communicate with the Argentine Navy after the modification is completed."
Carlo was a little surprised when faced with Admiral Yagir's words. "Argentina?"
"Yes, Your Majesty, it is Argentina."
Yes, there are currently frequent exchanges between Argentina and Italy. Not only do the two countries have naval vessels from the same family, but Argentina is also the number one destination for Italian immigrants. Yes, in this era, Argentina, with its vast land and sparsely populated land and fertile land,
It is simply the first choice for immigrants in Italy.
Argentina also very much welcomes the arrival of Italian immigrants. Although the relationship between the two countries cannot be called an alliance, it is still very close.
"Let's change it to Borneo. The Italian Navy will go to Borneo for some training first, and then go to Argentina next time."
As soon as Carlo opened his mouth, he asked the navy to change places, which strengthened Admiral Yagier's judgment that the next task of the navy was to seize Dutch Borneo.
Yes, as the head of the navy, Admiral Yagir is certainly aware of the current little moves of Antonio, the governor of Borneo. After all, the navy also has a small fleet in Borneo, so how can it not know what is happening there.
As long as you know the goal, it will be easier.
Admiral Yagir is already thinking in his heart that he can use this opportunity to contribute to the navy.
