Britain's most advanced battlecruiser "HMS Hood" costs 6.02 million pounds, the most in the world.
During the World War, the British military expenditure was about 12.5 billion pounds. If all of it was used to build ships, it could build 2,000 "HMS Hoods".
This does not take inflation into account. Before the World War, the cost of the battleship "Queen Elizabeth" was only 2.4 million. If calculated in this way, 12.5 billion can build approximately 5,200 ships.
After the World War, in order to suppress Japan's ambitions, the United States declared boldly that for every warship built by Japan, the United States would build four.
"This is the situation. The situation we are facing now is very difficult. We won the world war, but we have lost the dominant position we have always had. The Japanese are ambitious and the Americans are eyeing them. If we want to ensure the maritime interests of the British Empire, then we must
Together -" Balfour was exhausted, the British version of the tinker.
"Locke, what do you want to say?" Balfour knew Locke's status in southern Africa, or not just in southern Africa, but in the entire Commonwealth. Because the importance of southern Africa has increased, so has Locke's status.
important.
"Your Excellency, Dean, I will unconditionally cooperate with any decision made by the empire." Rock stated, which means that if the empire's decision is unfavorable to southern Africa, Rock will naturally have countless excuses to shirk responsibility.
"Glaston, what about you?" Balfour was neither happy nor sad. Roque's attitude was what Balfour had expected.
"I have nothing to say. Australia and New Zealand also suffered heavy losses in the world war. We need more time to recuperate. If possible, I hope London can give Australia and New Zealand some help. The Australian government now has no money, no one, and no strength.
, not even capable of building a capital city -" Viscount Glaston shook his head and smiled bitterly. Every family has its own difficulties. Australia is not a country sitting on a mine cart, nor is it a country riding on the back of a sheep.
, let alone a country with ears of wheat in hand, with a mere few million people, what can be done is really limited.
Balfour's face was expressionless. Balfour knew the situation in Australia and New Zealand very well, and he didn't have much hope.
"We are now facing a threat from the United States. The United States needs a foreign war to divert the domestic economic crisis. Now it seems that the Americans have targeted us in Canada, so we need the help of the empire, fleets, troops and aircraft - anything can be done
"As long as it can curb the ambitions of the United States -" Bowden didn't wait for Balfour to name him. The United States and Canada have a long history of grievances. The White House was burned down by Canadian troops.
If this were replaced by southern Africa, they would definitely fight to the death.
"India - the situation in India is very complicated. We are also facing the threat of hunger and disease. Countless people die every day. Soldiers who retired after the world war have not had time to pay their pensions. We urgently need help from the empire, otherwise India
The order may collapse." Sastri made a shocking statement. India is the most important British overseas colony. If the ruling order in India collapses, then Britain will lose its most important human resources.
"Gentlemen, we did not come to Washington to complain. We came to fight for the interests of the British Empire. At this time, we must put the interests of the British Empire first and put everything else aside for the time being." Balfour was extremely disappointed that so many younger brothers actually
No one was reliable, and the only one who was capable was unwilling to take responsibility. For a moment, Belfort really wanted to give up his job.
Love so and so, I won’t do it anymore!
It's a pity that I can only think about it.
"Locke, a navy has just been established in southern Africa. What are your plans?" Balfour could only start with Locke. Canada, Australia, and India all had too much to take care of themselves. Southern Africa was the only hope for the British Empire.
"We have indeed just established a navy, but there are still many problems, including lack of technology, lack of talent, lack of experience, and lack of inheritance. Southern Africa does not even have a professional military port now-" Roque also complained that southern Africa lacks everything.
There is just no shortage of money.
"Diego Garcia——" Secretary of the Navy John Jellicoe suddenly interrupted. This guy is quite vindictive.
Something bad happened between Southern Africa and London because of Diego Garcia.
Now that the matter has been resolved, Southern Africa has promised that Diego Garcia will be available to the Royal Navy in times of war.
Note that it is "wartime". The Royal Navy cannot enter Diego Garcia if it is not during war.
Roque did not raise any objections, but helplessly spread his hands with an innocent look on his face. Look, it is not that Southern Africa is not cooperating, but that the enemy is in the Admiralty——
Well, we can't say they are enemies, not to that extent yet.
"Minister Jellicoe, I just said that we should put aside those disputes for the time being and we must work together." Balfour emphasized discipline, and everyone was lawless.
John Jellicoe said nothing, lowered his head and played with the pen in his hand——
Produced by Itno!
Rock and Viscount Glaston looked at each other, and there was resistance in Viscount Glaston's eyes.
Rock insisted.
Viscount Glaston coughed, but after all he was no match for Rock's gaze: "We in Australia are also preparing to establish a navy——"
Balfour was simply surprised. Even if southern Africa established a navy, why would Australia join in the fun?
Can you really afford it?
"We have to face the threat from the United States, so it is necessary to establish a fleet." Bowden also came to join in the fun, and he took the lead in making a few shots, just in case.
Balfour looks at Sastri.
Sastri looked innocent. India really had no plans to build a fleet and couldn't afford it. India could hardly afford to even afford the "Fearless" ship.
The fully loaded "Fearless" has a standard staffing of 773 people, and with ground support and logistical support, the number can reach thousands.
The navy's salary is generally higher than that of the army, with each person paying at least one hundred pounds per year. Calculated in this way, the annual salary alone is more than 100,000.
This does not include human consumption and horse consumption, various hidden benefits, and daily training consumption. All in all, raising a warship like the "Fearless" costs at least forty or fifty per year.
Ten thousand, with the current national strength of India, it is indeed impossible to support it.
The establishment of the "Dreadnaught" is small, and the establishment of the "Hood" is 1,400 people.
"Let's solve the problems one by one first, Robert. How many people do you need to curb the ambitions of the Americans?" Balfour said. He couldn't let these people continue to talk nonsense. If they continue to talk, they will really sell London.
After the World War, when Southern Africa and the British Empire were discussing how to repay their debts, the then Finance Minister Andrew Bonar Law joked that he would give London to Southern Africa to pay off its debts.
Of course this is a joke, we are all one family, and southern Africa will not be so cruel, forcing people to pay debts to this extent.
"It doesn't matter how many people are needed, just a strong force can warn the Americans of their ambitions. If the Americans want to launch a war, they must also consider the consequences -" Bowden has also seen through the Americans' lustful nature. During the World War, the United States
The losses were also very serious, and now they are also struggling in the economic crisis, so they want to mobilize foreign wars to divert domestic conflicts.
All wars have costs. If the costs are greater than the benefits, no one will do such a loss-making business.
"Locke——" Balfour has no doubt that the troops that the British Empire can now use to support the scene are southern Africa.
"Your Excellency, President, after the end of the world war, there was a major disarmament in southern Africa. We now have only two divisions with less than 30,000 people left, which is not enough for defense." Roque doesn't care. It's okay to send troops to assist Canada. Who will pay for the military expenses?
"What kind of defensive pressure is there in Southern Africa? Look around you in Southern Africa. Who can pose a threat to Southern Africa?" Belfort tolerated it again and again. If Roque found other reasons, this reason would not be justified.
"Too many. You all know that a rebellion has just broken out in West Africa. The Republic of Congo is also ready to take action. The two river basins also need troops to defend. The federal government only approves 65 million military expenditures every year. In addition to the army, the air force and the navy are all waiting for support. I also want to establish a navy.
The Marine Corps really has no money." Rock stated the facts and said that 65 million is actually a lot of money. If they were all used to build the "Hood", they could build ten ships.
"Locke, you send troops here, and the Canadian government will bear the cost." Bowden couldn't care too much now, he wanted to ensure Canada's safety first.
Southern Africa does not need to send many troops to Canada, even a few thousand troops are enough to warn the Americans of their ambitions.
During the World War, the Southern African Expeditionary Force performed extremely well, and Americans noticed it.
Although Canada's national power is weak, it can still afford a few million dollars. Spending several million dollars every year in exchange for peace is still worthwhile for Canada.
"Okay!" Rock's eyes immediately lit up.
In order to raise military expenses, Rock also racked his brains.
The Southern African Army has very high salaries and benefits, but the cost of raising troops is actually almost the same as that of the Navy.
Compared with a warship that only has a few hundred naval officers and soldiers, an army unit can easily number tens of thousands of people, and it really can't afford to support them without any financial resources.
Nowadays, there are no African-American soldiers in the regular army of Southern Africa, so military expenditures are also rising sharply. Fortunately, Southern Africa still has a compulsory military service system, which can alleviate the pressure to some extent.
"Very good -" Seeing that Rock and Bowden had reached an agreement, Belfort was greatly encouraged. The problems had to be solved one by one. Sometimes these important imperial ministers were very reliable.
"Wallingman, what do you say here?" Belfort asked Sastri.
"We need doctors and food to deal with the threats of disease and hunger--" When Sastri answered the question, he stared at Roark with a look of expectation.
Southern Africa's medical level is undoubtedly the best in the world, and its vast territory is rich in resources. Plants planted in the ground will bear fruit next year. As long as Southern Africa is willing to provide help, it will not be difficult for India to overcome the difficulties.
But what disappointed Sastri was that Rock didn't respond at all, as if he didn't hear anything.