Rise of the Argentine Empire

After completing the reorganization of several Bu City companies, Saint Hesser finished the planned work. After discussing with General Thompson, he gave him some pointers regarding the maintenance and modification of old naval vessels in southern Argentina for the Argentine Navy.

On January 10th, Saint Hesser went to the Navy Department, which was also located in the Liberator Building. He easily found the person in charge of the Navy Department.

He also brought engineers from San Hai Shipbuilding and Rhein Military Industries, as well as people from Plarrey International, forming a team of 10 people. He negotiated with Fiers Lambruccini of the Navy about the maintenance and modification project of warships in the Belgrano Naval Port.

Fiers Lambruccini is the Minister of Logistics of the Navy Department, with the rank of Colonel, 34 years old, from a naval family. His father once served as the Minister of the Argentine Navy and is currently retired.

Fiers is responsible for this difficult task in the south, responsible for renovating, upgrading, and modifying the warships of the Argentine Southern Naval District, Belgrano Naval Port. Compared to the 4 million US dollars in funding for the Bu City Naval Port, the total project funding for the Belgrano Naval Port project is only 1.2 million US dollars, which is quite pitiful, and there are 13 ships that need to be repaired and maintained, basically in a state of neglect.

The main reason is that this project is quite troublesome, with relatively high requirements, requiring shipbuilding experience, extremely low profits, and even possible losses, requiring the modification of artillery, the installation of fire control systems and weapons and equipment, torpedo launchers, and the overhaul of engines, among other things.

Currently, Argentina has two major naval ports, namely the Buenos Aires Naval Port and the Belgrano Naval Port next to Blanca City. The country is divided into 3 sea areas with 6 naval bases.

Saint Hesser, led by a girl in military uniform, went to Fiers' office.

"Hello, I am Saint Hesser Cohen from the San Hai Shipbuilding team. General Thompson of the Ministry of Defense recommended me to come here today to discuss the southern warship maintenance and modification project."

Saint Hesser explained his intentions and shook hands with Fiers. Due to historical reasons, Argentina's shipbuilding industry is quite primitive. Apart from a few small civilian shipyards in Bu City and a state-owned shipyard, there are no others. Therefore, the rapidly developing San Hai Shipyard is directly the largest shipyard in the country.

"Hello, you can call me Fiers. General Thompson has already notified us. This time, it's mainly about the maintenance and modification project of 11 ships in the Belgrano Naval Port. I believe you have already seen the requirements."

Officials of higher rank can suppress others, and it is still a hard task.

"Our Argentine naval vessels basically come from abroad, mostly British and American goods. There are no domestically produced ones. Now it is the largest navy in South America, even Brazil and Chile cannot compare."

The Argentine Navy's development and growth were in the two rounds of arms races in the early 20th century. Initially, it was with the Chilean Navy, and later the Brazilian Navy was added. Since then, the three countries have competed for the top spot in the South American Navy. Currently, Argentina is first, Brazil is second, and Chile is third.

The necessary work flow is still being followed. Argentina has not had new ships entering service for almost 10 years. Basically, they are all second-hand goods, so maintenance is very important. Argentina's finances are invested in national construction, and the navy uses what it can.

"Let me briefly introduce. Last year, our San Hai Shipyard produced a total of 17 ships and completed a large number of orders. Now we have reached cooperation with the Spanish national Bazan Shipyard."

Saint Hesser didn't say that he was actually a civilian fishing boat factory. After all, that was just a practice run for a 580-ton fishing boat, which eventually turned into 3 docks. This kind of small fishing boat is still quite popular.

"We have rich shipbuilding experience, and we are also involved in military ship technology. This is the artillery team of Rhein Military Industries, as well as the team from the Rhein Military Industries tank factory. We also have experience in weapon maintenance."

Moreover, starting in the middle of last year, San Hai Shipbuilding began to prepare to design and build ocean-going fishing vessels, a large fishing vessel with a power of 960 horsepower, 2200 tons, a length of 60 meters, a horsepower of 2500, a speed of 14 knots, a wind resistance level of 10, and a crew of 60 people.

"Our shipyard is already preparing to build an 18,000-ton dock and 2 15,000-ton docks, establishing a professional large-scale shipyard, and we have in-depth cooperation with shipyards in Germany and Spain."

Saint Hesser boasted wildly without batting an eye. As for the 15,000-ton and 18,000-ton freighters, they are indeed working hard on them. Civilian freighter production technology is not difficult. The seven major shipyards in Germany were dismantled and scattered, and Saint Hesser gathered a shipbuilding team from them.

San Hai Shipbuilding is designing its own Argentine freighter dock, based on the American "Victory" freighter, for modification and upgrading, with two versions.

But ultimately, it can only be built with cooperation from Spain. Many shipbuilding equipment and docks have to rely on Spain, and German talent and equipment are no longer allowed to be exported.

"At the same time, we have a professional team and will set up a shipyard and repair shop in Blanca Port to provide professional maintenance services for Belgrano Naval Port, supporting 1 year of free warranty rework and 5 years of maintenance fees at a 50% discount."

Saint Hesser continued, all of which was to appear more professional. Although many of Argentina's naval vessels are broken and second-hand, and cruisers and battleships are also outdated, they can still learn a lot from them and accumulate experience for future involvement in warship production.

"Free warranty? This is acceptable, but won't you lose money?"

Fiers' eyes lit up. After-sales service is too important. Then he looked at Saint Hesser with some embarrassment, wondering if he was bragging. Such things happen often.

"There is absolutely no problem. We are more for contributing to the country. The country is currently in difficulty, and we, as a private company, need to do our part."

Saint Hesser seemed to see Fiers' doubts and said righteously. His expression was serious, and he was clearly a very sincere patriot.

"Thank you so much, our country will definitely overcome the difficulties."

Fiers seemed to be shocked by Saint Hesser's bragging. After a while, he came over and shook hands with him. One must know how extravagant the Argentine Navy was in his father's era, and how miserable the Argentine Navy is now. With limited funding, even normal maintenance is difficult.

"Let's sign the contract today. You can take a look at these specific data. Currently, the ships in Belgrano Naval Port account for one-third of the country's fleet. The most troublesome is the October 17th Cruiser, which is already 20 years old, built in the United States in 1935, and was once the flagship of President MacArthur."

"In October 1951, the U.S. Navy sold us this ship for $1 million. Its standard displacement is 10,000 tons, full load displacement is 12,400 tons, equipped with five triple-mounted 152mm main guns, and a speed of 30 knots."

"It's been undergoing piecemeal modifications for the past two years, but there are still some details that need work."

"These are the specific ship data materials. Take a look first. If you don't understand anything, you can ask me. I'll be busy for a while and come back in about half an hour."

Fiers was a little embarrassed and made an excuse to slip away, after all, there were indeed some troubles.

This time, the Belgrano Port project includes one Italian-made Garibaldi-class armored cruiser, the 'Pueyrredón', three 'Catamarca'-class destroyers, which have been refitted with twin torpedo launchers, two Buenos Aires-class destroyers and one Mendoza-class destroyer, one 'Veinticinco de Mayo' heavy cruiser, one 'Diecisiete de Octubre' cruiser, and eight logistics transport ships.

San Jose took a quick look and handed the information to the head of Sanhai Shipbuilding. The quantity was just right, no more, no less. He then distributed the information to the other chief experts: three cruisers, six destroyers, and eight logistics transport ships, most of which were over 10 years old, making it a very difficult task.

"The modification and maintenance of the transport ships shouldn't be a big problem. Fortunately, those submarines in the south didn't give us the job. Puerto Belgrano accounts for 70% of the Argentine Navy, while Bahía Blanca only accounts for 30%."

A cruiser is a warship with strong firepower and multiple uses, mainly used in large surface ships operating in the ocean. It can be said to be the main force in Argentina at present.

"The difference between our Rheinmetall guns and these main guns is quite large. We need to redesign these guns, and they may not even be used. The required funds are also very high."

The engineers from the Rheinmetall artillery factory said with some embarrassment. The artillery factory had no major problems in developing 107 rockets, mortars, or even tank guns, but naval guns were a bit difficult.

"This can be solved. Our artillery factory also needs some new attempts. Designing guns to be installed on warships can have tremendous destructive power. Therefore, artillery has always been the core weapon of warships, and the combat effectiveness of a warship depends on the power of its naval guns. We already have the design and manufacturing capabilities for guns below 100mm. This time, we will design a 130mm gun for the Navy, and we can also design main tank guns in the future."

Before the advent of missile technology, the power of naval guns was always very important, and the appearance of aircraft carriers did not completely end naval guns. Cruisers escort aircraft carriers. Argentina will have aircraft carriers in the future, and the role of cruisers cannot be ignored. As for missile destroyers, it depends on future developments.

"But boss, this is too difficult... It's not as simple as just increasing the size. The technological difficulty is too great."

"I will have La Plata Steel Works cooperate with you. We can already produce seamless steel pipes with higher strength. We just need to continue to improve the materials and we will definitely be able to produce better quality seamless steel pipes."

"Boss, how do we handle the fire control technology? We have no experience at all, and we can't find anyone to cooperate with. There's no way to do it. Argentina simply can't do fire control technology. It used to be all imported. Imitation is also difficult. Although Germany used to have fire control technology, they don't sell this core technology."

"I will solve the fire control technology, so don't worry. Now is the electronic age, so it's actually easier to solve."

San Jose said confidently. For current fire control technology, it's best to just go to the United States. Argentina really needs to set up an electronics factory or something. American companies like General Electric and IBM have opportunities to get involved, after all, Enkor Electric is an American company.

"Boss, also, this power increase will cause the warship's weight to increase a lot, making it difficult to achieve."

For modification, it is indeed a major problem. After all, a lot of equipment has to be added, and the warship's speed cannot be increased.

"Increase the modification efforts, and at the same time remove some unnecessary equipment. If necessary, replace the power system and replace the diesel engine."

The 'Veinticinco de Mayo' heavy cruiser has a main armor belt thickness of 70mm, a main armor deck thickness of 25mm, and the turret's frontal armor is only 50mm thick. In order to save costs and weight, this class of ship did not install high-output turbines like the Trento class, and the design speed was only 32 knots."

San Jose saw the second most difficult refit, a very old warship.

"Increase the refitting plan, and replace some equipment at the same time. There is an opportunity to add power, or even replace it, with a stronger diesel engine. We already have various good relationships."

"Mr. Fiers, we have considered it and we will take on this entire project. We will establish a repair shop and shipyard in Bahía Blanca to help the country's ships be modified and upgraded."

"Okay, then let's start signing the contract."

Fiers took out the contract, and San Jose signed his name and immediately began preparations.

San Jose said to Fiers,

"If the country's development doesn't improve, the military will definitely be backward, and the navy will not be able to develop. Currently, our country needs to get the economy going before we have a chance to develop the economy."

"That's a very interesting view."

Fiers commented.

He was deeply touched.

Argentina hasn't had a warship in a long time.

"Happy cooperation."

San Jose left here with his men.

… …

San Jose's maintenance team was spun off by him, and he wanted to give them the shipyard in Bahía Blanca, as Bahía Blanca has the foundation to develop shipbuilding.

In the new year, Sanhai Shipbuilding's fishing boat orders have already been placed in Brazil. The fishing industry in the South Pacific region is developing rapidly and can earn more money. The 2200-ton new fishing boat and the 580-ton fishing boat are the top priorities.

The construction of 10,000-ton giant ships is also about to begin. Spain has agreed to this cooperative order of eight 15,000-ton and six 18,000-ton ships, in exchange for helping Argentina's Sanhai Shipbuilding build 3 docks and 2 repair shops.

On January 12, San Jose took this large team, obtained the cooperation agreement, and went to Bahía Blanca, where a bunch of supporting factories will be set up to serve the Puerto Belgrano naval base.

San Jose returned to San Jose in Bahía Blanca, settled the people first, and then took them to Alta Town the next day, which was not far away.

Everything is fine for the Radical Party in Bahía Blanca. The number of workers in the portside industrial zone has doubled, reaching more than 2,000. Various industrial equipment transported from Europe has successively arrived in Bahía Blanca, stored in the well-built warehouses, and preparations for debugging have begun.

The portside industrial zone is developing very well. Buildings of factories have begun to pour the roofs, and workers wearing safety helmets are working enthusiastically.

San Jose made an appointment with the person in charge of the Puerto Belgrano naval base before going there, and these warships will come to a bay next door one by one in the future to carry out systematic modification and upgrades.

The excellent design team of Sanhai Shipbuilding will also carry out accurate surveying and mapping of these 17 ships, and finally form a modification plan for San Jose and the Navy Department to confirm.