Chapter 255 Sharing of Expenses

What Charles provides is a complete air combat system.

First, fighter jets with machine guns were used to fight for air supremacy.

After having air superiority, the reconnaissance aircraft can fly unscrupulously over the enemy's head. It can conveniently and quickly detect the real-time movements of the enemy. Many intelligence cannot be obtained from the ground even if it costs heavy casualties, while the reconnaissance aircraft can fly around in the air. Everything is there.

Then came the bombers.

After the reconnaissance plane obtains the intelligence, the bomber can bomb wherever it wants. It can easily cross the enemy's defense line and cause devastating blows to key targets behind enemy lines. This has formed another kind of "asymmetric warfare" during the trench warfare period, and is enough to affect Enemy morale.

The Germans have also thought about this model, but their development direction is "empty boats".

This dream of the Germans was wiped out when Charles used a small rocket in Antwerp.

…

The first to find Ciel was Russia.

To be precise, it was not Russia that found Charles, but Russia found Charles through the French government, and the French government found Charles through Gallieni.

After Gallieni answered the phone, he called Charles in front of him. He frowned and asked: "They want to know, at what price will you be willing to authorize production?"

"Authorized production?" Charles asked doubtfully: "I have already produced it for the military in France. I can produce as much as I want. Why do I still have to..."

Then Charles paused: "Could it be Schneider? No, this is impossible, I won't agree to it! It doesn't matter how much money you have!"

Charles thought Schneider had used Parliament to force the government to make this ridiculous decision.

"No!" Gallieni shook his head: "It's not Schneider, it's Russia!"

Gallieni explained:

"Russia has needs in this area. They have inconvenient transportation. In winter, there is ice and snow everywhere, and it is difficult to transport them. When spring turns, the ice and snow melt and the land becomes muddy."

"On the other hand, Russia's army is very large and requires much more supplies than Germany. The recent blockade of the Dardanelles Strait has put greater pressure on its supplies."

"Therefore, they are in great need of equipment such as bombers that can cross the enemy's defense lines and effectively attack their rear transportation lines or key targets."

There was a reason Gallieni did not say.

After Russia entered the war, it had been worried that the domestic people were under too much pressure, and they needed to use bombers to bring more victories to boost morale.

But even if Gallieni didn't say it, Charles knew.

Because in less than two years, the Russian people will be overwhelmed and withdraw from this war early.

This is actually not bad for Ciel. They will sell to anyone when they open their business, as long as they are not sold to rivals like Schneider.

But Charles hesitated at this time, and he looked embarrassed:

"General, we know that the organization and management of the Russian army are very chaotic. Another meaning of authorized production is that our secrets will be leaked."

"This means our adversary Germany is likely to have similar bombers."

"Can the Allies afford such a price?"

Gallieni nodded slightly, he was also worried about this, and Charles spoke to his mind.

What Gallieni didn't know was that what Charles actually meant was "the drunkard's intention is not to drink."

There is actually no secret about the Caproni bomber. The aircraft of this era are very simple and can be basically copied just by looking at the layout, especially in the industrial powerhouse Germany.

What's important has always been engine technology.

Therefore, Germany does not need to go around a long way to obtain the blueprints from Russia. It is fully capable of copying them on its own, and there is no problem of leaking secrets to the enemy.

"In addition!" Charles continued: "This also poses a great risk to my business, and I may suffer huge losses as a result."

Gallieni nodded in agreement.

Once Russia leaks the bomber's drawings or secrets, Shire will no longer have a monopoly on the bomber, and potential customers may bypass Shire and imitate it.

After thinking for a while, Gallieni said seriously: "I hope you understand, Colonel, this is not just a matter of money, but also a matter of national security..."

"I understand." Charles continued: "Russia needs bombers to stabilize the Eastern Front, and the Allies also need Russia to hold back the Germans on the Eastern Front. Otherwise, all the German forces will be pressed on the Western Front!"

It was precisely because of this that Charles had the confidence to bargain with the government.

As the saying goes, rare things can be lived in. What does it have to do with me whether the country is destroyed or not? The more urgent you are, the easier it will be for me as a capitalist.

"But General." Charles smiled and shook his head: "No capitalist would do such a stupid thing. If he did, he would probably go bankrupt soon because he would be causing trouble for himself."

Gallieni was speechless, what Charles said seemed to be the truth.

Charles pretended to think about it for a while, then said with difficulty: "Unless..."

"Unless what?" Gallieni said with a hint of hope in his eyes.

As a general, Gallieni was of course more willing to facilitate this deal from the perspective of France's interests.

"Unless it can make up for my possible future losses." Charles offered the price: "The condition for authorized production is that for every bomber produced, Russia must pay a licensing fee of 70,000 francs!"

"God!" Gallieni exclaimed: "This is impossible, Charles, that is even more than the purchase price. Russia might as well buy it directly from you!"

"Of course." Charles thought about this: "Russia can also choose to do this."

Galieni immediately understood the crux of the problem: the Dardanelles had been blocked, and if Russia wanted to buy aircraft from Charles, it could only go from the Atlantic.

The huge fuselage of the bomber would probably need to be disassembled and reassembled in Russia. This did not include the problem that Russian ports would be frozen and unable to transport in winter.

Taking these transportation costs into account, buying directly from Charles might not be cost-effective.

Galieni suddenly realized that Charles was calculating a business account, and the price he offered seemed to be something that Russia could not refuse.

Galieni smiled lightly: "You are very thoughtful, Colonel. But you don't seem to have considered that Russia's economy is not abundant, and they may have to refuse because they can't afford it."

"I know." Charles replied slowly: "But as allies, shouldn't France and Britain provide some economic assistance to Russia?"

Galieni was stunned: "You mean..."

Galieni understood before he finished speaking.

France and Britain should share the cost, which is considered to support Russia's war on the Eastern Front, but the money actually went into Charles' pocket.

Cunning guy, he had this idea.

However, this method seems feasible. After all, before the Dardanelles was opened, Britain and France were no longer able to provide anything for Russia.

If we can share part of the cost of bombers, it can be regarded as doing our part for our allies.