The Rise Of Australasia

Chapter 65: Shipbuilding Technology

Translator: 549690339 |

Seeing Arthur’s persistence, William II didn’t say anything, but just nodded. I will discuss the matter of the Gew98 with Mauser Company, but what kind of price they will sell to you depends on your negotiating skills.”

Naturally, Arthur wouldn’t refuse such a condition. As the standard weapon of the German Army, the fact that the Gew98 production line was to be sold to Australia was a great show of support.

As for the funds needed to purchase the Gew98, Arthur did not consider it a significant expense. After all, the Gew98, once improved, would be one of the world’s most powerful rifles for the next 40-50 years.

Born in the traditional German military industry, Arthur was also not worried about the sales of the Gew98.

Whether it was the Germanic Allies in World War I or other countries that were infatuated with German weapons, they would all welcome the export of this rifle.

The funds needed to purchase the Gew98 production line would be recouped in future weapon exports, even making a huge profit.

“As for Krupp’s artillery technology, some of the firearms arc essential for warships, so it’s no harm to hand them over to you. Some of the cxtra-large-caliber firearms involve the secrets of the German Forces, so they may not be given to you. Specifically, I will let Culver Company talk to you, and it’s not a problem to hand over conventional artillery technology to you.” William II said with a smile.

In the area of artillery, Germany, with renowned military industry companies like Krupp, is definitely a dominant force of the industry.

The famous Krupp Giant Cannon produced by Culver Company is also a powerful weapon of the German Empire in attacking and capturing cities.

William H’s response was within Arthur’s expectations. Germany’s willingness to transfer ordinary artillery technology to Australia was already an

unexpected surprise for Arthur.

There are no powerful enemies or strong fortresses around Australia for the time being.

Under such circumstances, bulky and inconveniently transported large-caliber artillery would be a burden for Australia.

Although they have an unstoppable advantage in attacking and capturing cities, it is not of much use for Australia. In addition, the trouble of logistics and the precision problems caused by extra-large calibers make it seem like a chicken rib, it’s better not to have it at all.

“Like with the Mauser Company, your diplomatic team will need to discuss the specific matters. Let your officials negotiate the specific prices with the Mauser Company and the Culver Company.” William II said.

Arthur nodded without objection.

As a monarch, of course, not everything can be left to him. In the case of an authoritarian monarchy like Australia, Arthur’s primary role is to determine the overarching framework, while officials are required to perfect the details.

“Do you need assistance with warships and shipyards?” William II continued the topic and asked: “German-made warships may not be on par with the British Empire, but they are definitely world-leading. If you need it, we can help you expand shipyards.”

William II was aware of the shipyard that Arthur owned.

However, such a small-scale shipyard is not enough for an island nation and even less so for Australia, which wants to stabilize its overseas territories.

“Of course, Your Majesty. Although we have signed an Aid Treaty with Britain on warships, the British side mostly provides technology, not practical warship blueprints. I hope to obtain some advanced warship blueprints from Germany to make up for the lack of Australian warship blueprints. To show our gratitude to Germania, we arc willing to share the advanced technology obtained from Britain with Germania simultaneously and purchase these warship blueprints at the market price.” Arthur naturally nodded and said with a smile.

Although dreadnoughts will be born in a few years and obsolete what were advanced warships at the time.

But if Australia cannot master the current shipbuilding technology and the relatively advanced warship blueprints, then when the dreadnought is born in the future, Australia will not have the ability to build it.

It’s like primary school and middle school knowledge. Although the knowledge learned in primary school would be obsolete upon entering middle school,

But if the accumulation of primary school knowledge is not there, it would be very difficult to master middle school knowledge.

As the saying goes, “a little adds up,” and Australia has nothing to accumulate. Although the German Navy is far less powerful than the Royal British Navy, as a newly unified nation in just a few decades, the German Empire has made huge investments in the navy and achieved impressive results.

If Australia can master German shipbuilding technology and blueprints, allowing them to have the future ability to build dreadnoughts, it will be an assured gain.

Upon hearing Arthur’s suggestion, both William II and Prime Minister Bernhard nodded their heads.

As the second major power competing directly with the British Empire, the German Empire naturally cannot obtain technological support from the British Empire.

This has also led to the naval development of Germany and Britain in almost two different directions. If they can obtain some advanced British technology, it could not only improve some of the shortcomings of German naval technology but also become familiar with the characteristics of the British Navy, achieving the effect of knowing oneself and the enemy.

“There’s no problem, Arthur. You can choose between the Brunswick-class battleships and the Deutsch-class battleships, and their design drawings and detailed data will be sold to you at market prices. But I have a requirement that the design drawings and data must not be resold or leaked any information in any form to other countries or forces within fifteen years.” William II said after a long contemplation.

“Of course, we don’t object to your sales of the warships, but the selling price must be consistent with that of Germania to avoid malicious competition.” William II continued.

The cost and selling prices of warships are very different, and for some warships, there is a two-fold difference.

That’s why William II said this. After mastering the construction technology, if Australia competes with the German shipyards by lowering the selling price, it would also cause losses to German interests.

“Of course, Your Majesty. The gap between Australia’s industry and Germania’s industry is enormous, and the same is true for shipbuilding. Australia will not compete with Germania, nor docs it have the ability to do so. Our goal is to master the technology of building large warships and to be well-prepared for the future development of the Australian Navy.” Arthur did not deny it, smiled, and explained.

Neither in terms of industrial scale nor national prestige docs Australia have the ability to compete with Germania. Naturally, it is impossible for Australia to be so arrogant as to compete with the German Empire.

Arthur’s goal is only to master the technology of building battleships and to be prepared for the birth of dreadnoughts in the future.

In any case, before the birth of dreadnoughts, Australia needs to master the manufacturing of battleships so that when dreadnoughts are born, they can try to build them instead of starting from scratch..

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