The Rise Of Australasia

Chapter 386: Chapter 330: Exchange of Interests

After the Balkan War, the world seemed to fall into long-lasting silence.

The arms race between the two military blocs was still ongoing, and it had developed from the simplest naval armaments race to an arms race involving the army, navy, and even air force.

If the deployment of airships and airplanes by Italy during the Italo-Turkish War could be seen as a representation of the European Great Powers' emphasis on their aerospace weapons.

Then after the success of Australasia's global airship journey, airships capable of traveling around the world had become essential weapons, no less important than armies and navies, and were highly valued by countries all over the world.

Germany, with its Zeppelin Airship Company, achieved the first results in the airship field. From late September to October, Germany announced the establishment of its Air Force and plans to equip it with at least 30 large airships, 100 small airships, and dozens of various aircraft within the next five years.

Although the number does not seem that significant, Germany was the first country to announce the establishment of an air force, mainly composed of airships and airplanes.

After Germany announced the establishment of its air force, Britain naturally did not fall behind and soon declared the establishment of its air force as well, aiming to equip it with over 50 large airships and 100 small airships.

Owing to the pride of being the world's number one power, the British set their airship numbers well beyond Germany's to ensure they would have an advantage in this new field.

With the examples of Germany and Britain, major European powers announced the establishment of air forces within a month. Even Italy, with the smallest projected air force, planned to equip it with ten large airships and dozens of small airships.

It is no wonder that these countries placed so much importance on airships, as their performance has surprised and alarmed many European nations.

Previously, the longest recognized range of airships was only a few hundred kilometers. Coupled with their relatively slow speed, they did not pose a significant threat.

But now, the performance of Australasian global airships had increased significantly, and they could even travel around the world with a few stops.

This also means that without air defense measures, no region in the world is safe, and even the capital cities of top powers like Britain and France are at risk of being bombed by enemies.

Before mastering more advanced defense weapons, it is necessary to acquire a large number of airships.

This is not only to ensure a certain level of deterrent capability against enemies but also to have countermeasures against potential unknown aerial threats.

The degree to which European countries focus on airships can be briefly described as follows: You may not pay attention to airships, but you cannot be without them.

Although European countries have been paying close attention to airship research and development, it is unlikely that they will possess airships capable of global travel in a short time.

Therefore, Australasia's AU-3 airship has become the primary means for European countries to obtain global airships in the short term.

Although Australasia has previously declared that it would not sell airships to the military industry nor allow foreign airship companies to resell them, there is never anything certain.

All European powers believed that as long as there were enough benefits involved, not only could airships be purchased, but it would not even be that difficult to buy airship technology.

Starting from mid-October 1912, European powers have been contacting Australasia's Aerospace Laboratory one by one, inquiring about the possibility of purchasing airships and airship technology.

Upon receiving their requests, Director Theodore did not dare make decisions on his own and hurried to consult Arthur at Sydney Palace.

At this time, Arthur was enjoying leisurely days at the palace after having just visited the Melbourne and Oakland shipyards.

Upon hearing Director Theodore's inquiry and the European Great Powers' requests to purchase airships and airship technology, Arthur couldn't help but laugh and said, "In theory, our airships, whether for civilian or military use, possess irreplaceable value.

However, if European countries are willing to spend strategically valuable technology, buying and exchanging airship technology is not impossible."

After all, airships in the air could never have the same advantage as airplanes. Even though Australasia's research on airships had not lagged, Arthur had to admit the fact that the most advanced airships were sitting ducks in front of the most advanced airplanes.

Having been aware of this glaring disparity, airships' importance to Arthur paled in comparison to that of airplanes.

If European countries wanted airships and airship technology, it was not an impossible request. The key question was, what kind of technology could those European countries offer in exchange for Australasia's airship technology?

Among these European countries, Arthur was most interested in the British Empire.

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As the world's number one superpower, the British Empire's naval technology was highly coveted by Arthur and something he would love to include in Australasia's arsenal.

Apart from that, almost all European powers had areas of strength, and their technologies were also coveted by Arthur and urgently needed to build Australasia's foundation.