Chapter 416 Different positioning
Regarding the purchase of warships in East Africa, Ernst himself would not engage in loss-making business. This time Archduke Ferdinand went to Austria for inspection, mainly to add East African products to his shopping cart.
Ernst, on the other hand, will not start purchasing until the economic crisis breaks out. Historical changes mean that Ernst is not sure when this global crisis will break out. However, the cyclical nature of economic crises determines that this crisis will definitely occur within the current time period. break out.
So Ernst then said to Archduke Ferdinand: "There is no rush to buy ships. There are no vacancies now. We can wait. After all, my request is to complete the expansion of the East African Navy before 1880, which is seven years." Plenty of time means that you, my father-in-law, have to work hard and do more work on the selection of warships.
We cannot blindly order warships produced by the Austro-Hungarian Empire, but we must make some more requirements based on the characteristics of the East African waters. These require sufficient demonstration work. Father-in-law, you can talk more about this issue with your former subordinates and current senior Austrian Navy. After all, The situation in our East African waters is different from that in the Adriatic Sea, which means that the strategic positioning of the two navies will be somewhat different. "
The Austro-Hungarian Navy was blocked in the Adriatic Sea by the Strait of Otranto. Even if it could break out of the Adriatic Sea, it would encounter the Mediterranean Sea next. Although the Mediterranean is large in area, it is still a closed sea area. At the same time, the strength of Britain and France in the Mediterranean is still stronger than that of the Austro-Hungarian navy.
Of course, this geographical condition also has advantages. The Austro-Hungarian Navy cannot get out, and it is difficult for the navies of other countries to come in. Previously, the biggest threat to the Austro-Hungarian Navy was the Navy of the Kingdom of Italy, after losing the coasts of Venice and the Papal States, and the Kingdom of Naples. Say goodbye to the Adriatic Sea completely, and the biggest threat to the Imperial Navy will no longer exist.
Therefore, the Austro-Hungarian Navy is not proactive in strategy. The ship design is more inclined to defensive counterattack. It was a complete surprise to defeat the Italian Navy under the command of an outstanding general. Therefore, the senior leaders of the Austro-Hungarian Navy have a current strategic and tactical vision. It's guaranteed.
If they were to demonstrate the development direction of the East African Navy, it would be of great benefit to the East African Kingdom. The scenario faced by the East African Navy was completely different from that of the Austro-Hungarian Empire. Although Ernst emphasized the establishment of a defensive navy, eastern East Africa faced the vast Indian Ocean, so the East African navy should naturally be more proactive in strategy and tactics. It is impossible to wait for the enemy to come at home.
Archduke Ferdinand: "Okay! What you said makes sense, but I am a little impatient. After all, the East African Navy is really unable to do anything. It seems that I am not determined enough."
As the former Commander-in-Chief of the Austrian Navy, he was reduced to the Commander-in-Chief of the East African Navy. The gap is indeed too great. Most people would probably just give up on themselves, but Archduke Ferdinand is different because the blow from Mexico was greater. Now he has changed the track. , returning the navy to the right track, in fact Archduke Ferdinand was somewhat eager to give it a try, especially after East Africa proposed to expand the navy, Ferdinand wished that the East African navy could directly catch up with its old employer, at least in terms of scale.
Ferdinand continued: "In fact, when it comes to warship procurement, you don't have to focus on Austria alone. Other countries can also consider it. France and the United Kingdom are also good choices."
Ernst: "That's what I say, but I personally think it would be better to unify the navy's standards. After all, our navy and the Austrian navy are of the same origin. This will also facilitate logistics guarantee and technical connection."
To say so is to be duplicitous. Ernst's continued support for the Austrian shipbuilding industry was not entirely based on economic considerations, but more on military needs and political considerations.
After all, the East African Navy can make demands on Austria, and it can also make demands on French and British shipyards, and it can completely allow them to build ships according to East African standards.
The most cost-effective ships in this era, especially warship dealers, must be the first choice for Britain. The quality is absolutely unparalleled, and military products are not meant to be used against.
But from a personal perspective, Ernst felt that if the British took away the money, it would be more uncomfortable than killing himself. Ernst was the most active in anti-British, cheating the United States, and resisting Japan.
Therefore, in the next economic crisis, Ernst certainly hopes that the UK will suffer as much damage as possible. If he sends orders, isn't he subsidizing the enemy?
As for France, France, like the United Kingdom, poses a great threat to East Africa. Both are top players on the African continent and are naturally at odds with the East African kingdom.
Furthermore, it is not that our own products are out of stock, and there is no need for foreigners to make money. This home country refers to the entire German cultural circle.
Among them, the Austro-Hungarian Empire was Ernst's most trusted partner. The characteristic of the Austro-Hungarian Empire was that it was strong but not strong. It was among the top in the world in a series of fields such as industry, economy, diplomacy, and military, but it could not use its full strength. .
From a naval perspective, although the Austro-Hungarian Navy is not taken seriously, its strength is not bad. In the recent two world-class naval battles, the Austro-Hungarian Navy has performed well.
Although the Hechingen Consortium has made great efforts in the development of Austria's shipbuilding manufacturing industry, without the contribution of the Hechingen Consortium, Austria's shipbuilding industry is now among the top in the world, and Germany is currently unable to compare with this.
What the Austro-Hungarian Navy lacks is the cost of trial and error. If the navy wants to make progress, it must pay the cost of trial and error. Even if a large and well-funded navy like the British Navy turns around in time after taking the wrong path, the Austro-Hungarian Navy cannot. .
Ernst is willing to share part of this trial and error cost for the Austro-Hungarian Empire, because the strong shipbuilding industry in the Austro-Hungarian Empire means that the shipbuilding industry in East Africa is strong. Two of the four shipyards of the Hechingen Ocean Trading Company are in the Austro-Hungarian Empire. within the territory.
Moreover, by cooperating with a country like the Austro-Hungarian Empire, Ernst could put 200 of his 100 hearts into his stomach. Not to mention the close relationship between the two families, even if the Austro-Hungarian Empire wanted to interfere in the development of East Africa, it was powerless.
Germany is almost interested. Although both families are Hohenzollerns, there are some conflicts in national interests. It is okay that William I and Bismarck are in power, and they pay more attention to international relations and cooperation.
Looking at the previous life before World War I, Germany, driven by the entire national interest group, eventually embarked on the road of colonizing Africa. In the end, under the siege of Britain and France, it could only use force to break the order of the entire world.
And now that East Africa occupies a small third of Africa, there is a chance that some people in Germany may have evil intentions towards East Africa. This is a threat to national interests.
After all, German industry and commerce also need markets and sources of raw materials. This cannot be suppressed by William I and Bismarck. Germany has France on its left and Tsarist Russia on its right. They are not easy targets. There is not much room for maneuver, and Austria-Hungary is stronger. The Balkan Peninsula is a burning piece of fat, and after acquiring the Balkan Peninsula, it is really possible to realize the revival of the Eastern Roman Empire. Although this is also the goal of Tsarist Russia, both families feel that they have a good chance of winning.
Archduke Ferdinand: "Since you think so, then I won't say anything. This will make the East African Navy's options smaller. However, we can still play foreign cards and let the companies of the Austro-Hungarian Empire give us more profits."
Ernst said directly: "Father-in-law, you are still professional. I really didn't think of this level before."
Under the economic downturn, companies around the world are having a hard time, and their pursuit of orders will become more intense. If East Africa uses this as a bargaining chip, Austrian shipping companies will definitely provide further discounts.
The money you originally invested in the navy may only be enough in normal years. If you take advantage of the economic crisis and add the method of selling at a price, then the funds will instantly become abundant.
Of course, under an economic crisis, the governments of major powers will definitely not do nothing. They will generally actively expand armaments, solve employment problems, and be ready for war to pass the crisis. For example, the American Civil War was caused by the American economic crisis in 1857.
It seems that I still have to be wary of this change, especially in the construction of the army. However, it seems that the East African Army does not need to make any major changes at present. It can only optimize some details on the current basis.