NOVPUB793: Chapter 721: Planning for Sea Power_2
793 -721: Planning for Sea Power_2
In the past, America established a series of naval battle standards around aircraft carriers.
Once those standards began to shake, it would take a great deal of effort and a massive amount of funds to come up with countermeasures.
However, at present, mankind’s technology is still unable to intercept hypersonic missiles.
Therefore, America started developing its own new class of destroyers to prepare for possible impacts.
The aging Arleigh Burke-class can no longer handle new modifications, and the ceaseless problems with the Zumwalt-class have been a continuous irritation to the Navy.
Now they need a mature new ship…
Who would have thought that America would actually set its sights on the Type 055?
Their latest model is tentatively called the DDG(X), and from the leaked images, it looks like a knockoff of the Type 055.
China has caught many spies selling the secrets of the Type 055, and after learning of America’s intentions, they were not angry, but rather a little happy.
America’s anxiety meant that the decades of effort by China’s shipbuilders had not been in vain.
Once the combat capability of the Type 055 is fully realized, exporting it would mean exporting a new naval battle standard.
This would shift the naval competition to a track familiar to China, rather than following America’s lead.
After all, it’s really hard to surpass America in the aircraft carrier domain!
Now they had a chance to drag America into the quagmire of naval renovation…
The plan provided by Chen Xiaodong was a bit complicated.
Using confessions obtained from spies, they learned of America’s trends.
They knew America wanted to take shortcuts and sought opportunities for a comprehensive understanding and analysis of the large ship…
The best method was to find a “middleman” to acquire a Type 055, then show it to them.
This “middleman” certainly could not be an individual; it had to be some tycoon from the Middle East with close relations to China.
This would make it possible to convince China to export the Type 055 even when its Navy was not yet fully equipped.
Of course, it would only be a pre-order.
Before China finished equipping itself, the Type 055 would not be for sale abroad. 𝒏𝙤𝒗𝙥𝒖𝒃.𝙘𝙤𝒎
This pre-order might last ten years, twenty years, or might always remain a pre-order.
The real export model would be a destroyer like the Type 052D, weighing over 6,000 tons but with the same lineage as the Type 055.
In any case, the Persian Gulf region has no use for a ten-thousand-ton large ship.
But this was enough.
Simply being involved in negotiations would naturally provide the opportunity to observe and learn about the Type 055.
Then, by using training as a pretext, America could plant spies among the teams from the United Arab Emirates to thoroughly investigate the structure of the Type 055.
Meanwhile, by analyzing the Type 052D’s weapon system, they would deduce as much as possible about the combat capability of the Type 055.
Chen Xiaodong and his colleagues were very clear in their thinking: they were not afraid of America copying the Type 055; in fact, they almost wished for it.
America itself has the capability to develop larger ships with even better performance.
They have the world’s best electronic radar and power systems.
While their hypersonic missiles are somewhat inferior, what does that matter?
Even if you could see the foreign trade version of our hypersonic missiles, what could you really learn?
We’re not afraid of letting people see them.
If there’s a chance, why not draw them into a familiar arms race?
Let’s be frank, when it comes to the cost of building large ships, China possesses a cost advantage and room for improvement that America simply cannot match.
If you’re building something similar to mine, I might even be able to deduce your weaknesses from my own experiences.
Previously, Chen Xiaodong and his team couldn’t be too obvious in their actions; the issue was always under discussion with no definitive conclusion.
In principle, these strategic national assets must be sincerely sought by some friendly nation, and then China could show its care and consideration for its allies by withdrawing a downsized Type 052D from its naval orders for transformation into an export model.
The situation now was that America wanted a deeper study, but for reasons of pride and politics, among others, they could not directly enter the playing field.
They, too, needed a “middleman” to make the purchase, creating an opportunity, if possible, to conduct an on-site inspection of the Type 055…
China Shipbuilding was also willing to sell, but certainly not the Type 055, only the Type 052D.
This smaller sibling, as long as equipped with anti-ship missiles, shared the same core logic as the Type 055.
This was not just about making money; it was also about exporting a new maritime standard, which would be greatly advantageous for them.
As for military secrets and the like, of course they are important, but can the 055 be understood with just a glance?
I dare to sell you the 052D because I’m not afraid you will dismantle it!
Now that you’ve seen it, stop corrupting our core technical personnel, and go build your own!
With the first 052D as a start, it’s possible that the embargo could be broken, and the wealthy in the Middle East could begin purchasing the second and third vessels, and in the future, it’s not excluded that the 055 could be directly exported…
China and America have completely different stances, with America needing to maintain its maritime hegemony.
They would never actively sell large ships capable of threatening their aircraft carriers.
Whereas China’s demands are completely different, they can’t handle combating America’s maritime dominance alone.
In fact, the more nations that possess large ships like the 052D equipped with hypersonic anti-ship missiles, the bigger the impact on America’s carrier strike groups’ influence will be.
This is an advanced version of the strategy to unite all the forces that can be united, spreading out the task of applying pressure to the American Navy.
America is the kind of power where I can point a gun at your head, but you deserve to die if you possess weapons that threaten me.
Whether it’s the export of the 055 or the 052, it’s poking right at their sore spot.
It is foreseeable that the more the 052D destroyers are exported, the more enemies America will make.
Right now, both sides have ulterior motives but pine for each other, just unable to find the right partner to make a breakthrough.
Joe Ga, with the United Arab Emirates jumping in as a wealthy suitor, doesn’t that become the much-needed rain?
The small 056 ships won’t make much money; it’s time for the big shots to go after the downgraded version of the 055, the 052D!
A large ship over 6,000 tons, equipped with various high-end missiles, and they are especially keen to learn; selling it for two billion is assuredly a done deal.
For Joe Ga and the United Arab Emirates, this business deal doesn’t really offend anyone, and even brings with it many benefits.
Looking at it from the perspective of the United Arab Emirates, I spend money to buy large ships for analysis, and even offer opportunities to board the 055.
That’s like betraying Chinese secrets, highly offensive, so how could I do it without expecting some perks in return?
Without getting into details, could you make the F-35 procurement program a little more flexible for me, with fewer additional conditions, and speed up the delivery?
That would be great.
From America’s perspective, they need a mature product for reference to facilitate the rapid advancement of their own projects; inspecting the 055 in person is essential!
Joe Ga is the perfect candidate for this!
In the effort to support your American dominance of the seas, even compatriots are sold out; wouldn’t you feel obliged to offer some benefits?
Joe Ga isn’t even a double agent; he’s just acting according to the needs of both sides…
A win for all, ensuring everyone gets what they need!
What now lies before Joe Ga is how to persuade the United Arab Emirates to shell out two billion US dollars for the 052D, allowing him to make a profit first.
The United Arab Emirates may be rich, but two billion is still outrageous, and there are many political interests to negotiate beforehand.
The entire process wouldn’t be sorted out in less than three to five years!
But no worries, everyone can first sign a letter of intent and pay a 30% deposit upfront, letting Joe Ga make a few billion first which is also good.
