The second more

Long before Yanayev proposed the plan to dismantle the navy, the Ministry of Defense began to contact suitable buyers for these old ships, so that these ships that were about to be phased out could create the last value for the Soviet Union. It is hoped that this will promote the development of friendship and mutual assistance between the Soviet Union and Asia-Pacific countries.

Of course, Yazov also seized the opportunity; in March this year, the Asia-Pacific region had just experienced quite a lot of turmoil; between 8 March and 25 March, the Chinese side carried out the second missile launch of "Joint 96" in the strait and the military exercise of seizing the island, and a tense situation suddenly emerged in the East Asian region. The United States dispatched the USS Independence aircraft carrier battle group from the Persian Gulf to the Asia-Pacific waters, and is scheduled to rendezvous with the USS Nimitz aircraft carrier battle group to ensure that the situation will not suddenly get out of control and exacerbate friction in the Asia-Pacific region.

Under such circumstances, it is self-evident that the Soviet Union carried out arms sales to China, not only for the sake of arms sales, but also to maintain political balance in the Asia-Pacific region, otherwise the socialist forces will face a great degree of challenge in the South China Sea and the straits, and as allies with the same interests, no one wants to see the other side suppress the biggest enemy.

Aircraft carriers and cruisers, which are mainly used for anti-ship and air defense, are included in the scope of this arms sale, and General Zhang, one of the Chinese representatives, has also become the main negotiator of this arms sale, and is specially responsible for the transaction between the Type 956 destroyer and a Kenda-class missile cruiser. Other members of the Chinese delegation went to the Black Sea shipyard to conduct field visits and negotiate deals with the last Kiev-class aircraft carrier, while he negotiated destroyers and cruisers in Vladivostok.

In the hotel where he stayed, General Zhang put forward a corresponding opinion on his temporary visit, "Soviet destroyers and cruisers can only exist as an emergency plan to deal with the crisis, and cannot achieve rapid development, because this is just a transitional period when the new generation of domestic plans has not yet taken shape, and several long-term domestic plans for new ships cannot mature in the short term. It is necessary to quickly obtain some modern ships that can quickly form combat power to solve the urgent need, and the vertically launched anti-aircraft missile system developed by the Type 051B destroyer is facing a serious technical bottleneck; Since the performance indicators of the HHQ-8 are not superior to those of the Type 956, I think it is very necessary to purchase Type 956 destroyers at this time. ”

"Moreover, the Asia-Pacific region is not very calm. If we had a strong navy, would we still be suppressed by the clowns and the forces behind them? ”

Hearing this, everyone's hearts darkened, the recent missile exercises and island landing exercises have become more and more frequent, and when Iwasato Masao visited the United States in private, the Chinese side showed an angry posture, and even the United States had to be cautious and began to step up the military power game in the Asia-Pacific waters.

Thinking of this, General Zhang clenched his fists, and he looked out the window, it was a calm night in Vladivostok, with only sporadic lights in the distance and the sound of waves. And the southeast coast of his homeland is overcast.

"But this Hyundai-class has been in service for almost sixteen years, right?" Some people questioned, "Is it still necessary to buy a ship that has been in service for sixteen years?" ”

"Then it depends on the price they offer, if the price is low, we are naturally willing to buy, if the price does not meet our expectations, we will refuse." General Zhang said decisively. "The main target of our visit to Vladivostok this time is not the second-hand Hyundai-class and the second-hand Kenda-class, but their unfinished Yekaterinburg and Nevsky."

The Yekaterinburg and Nevsky, which were stopped in history because of funding, were not stopped because of financial problems, and Yanayev did not think about continuing to build such outdated Type 956 destroyers at all, but China, which was far from strong enough in its navy, saw the importance of Type 956, so it thought about buying two ships that were not fully completed.

When the construction of the Yekaterinburg stopped this year, some equipment, cables, drainage pipes, 130mm naval guns, AK-63030mm cannons and supporting MR-123-02 fire control radars, 533mm torpedo tubes, etc., were installed, and entered the stage of polishing the sidewalls, and the progress of the project reached 65%. The Nevsky, still parked on the slipway, but has already completed the installation of the compartment, and the work is 35% progressive. In General Zhang's eyes, these two ships can provide a transitional guarantee for the development of the Chinese navy, but in the end, it will have to rely on itself to build a truly powerful naval force.

"Remember, the Type 956 Modern Class is just a front, and the real ones to take are the Yekaterinburg and the Nevsky, the two main targets for us, and the rest, which are just giveaways. As the oldest missile cruiser, the Kenda class has little use value, and if the Soviet side is willing to sell it at a low price, then it can be regarded as making a contribution to the expansion of China's naval forces. ”

General Zhang continued, "And we also have to let the Northern Shipyard build according to our plan, replace the old steam boilers, and add an automated radio communication system, as well as a supporting SA-N-7 air defense missile system and 3M-30 supersonic anti-ship missiles, and they agreed to these three points before we consider other purchases." And the superiors also said that if the Type 956 is good, the Ministry of Defense will give an additional order. ”

"What if they refuse?" The attendant asked.

"Just as we urgently need to buy new ships, the Soviet Union is in a hurry to get rid of the old ones. Eliminating so many ships at one time, without conducting operations, the maintenance costs in peacetime alone are enough for these old men to eat a pot, so the time for this negotiation is urgent, which is not good for both sides, but also beneficial to both sides. As long as whoever holds his breath will be the ultimate winner. The Northern Shipyard has also been on the verge of closure over the years due to the reduction of the size of the Navy, and if we don't buy these two Type 956 Modern Class, they may not be able to operate. ”

"I see." Only then did others realize that the purpose of this negotiation was actually here, and that the negotiations between the major powers were originally a silent contest, except for the Indian one, of course.

"Okay, everyone get ready, this negotiation is likely to be an uphill contest."

General Zhang stretched, packed up all the negotiation materials, and put them in his briefcase. Tomorrow he will have a meeting with the top brass of the Pacific Fleet, and this meeting will certainly not be as friendly as this afternoon. (To be continued.) )