Chapter 65: Shipbuilding Technology
Seeing Arthur's insistence, Wilhelm II said nothing more and simply nodded. "I'll speak with the Mauser company regarding the Gew98. As for the price, that will depend on your negotiation skills."
Arthur, of course, had no reason to refuse such a condition. As the German army's standard weapon, even being granted access to the Gew98 production line was already generous support.
And the cost of acquiring the Gew98 was, in Arthur's view, entirely worthwhile. After all, with later improvements, the Gew98 would become one of the world's finest rifles for the next forty to fifty years.
Born from Germany's traditional arms industry, the Gew98 also had no shortage of potential buyers.
Whether it be Germany and its allies during the Great War, or nations around the world fascinated by German weapons, this rifle would find eager markets.
The investment in the Gew98 production line would quickly pay for itself through future exports—potentially even turning a massive profit.
"As for Krupp's artillery technology—some of their guns are essential for naval vessels. We don't mind sharing those with you. However, some of the larger caliber artillery pieces involve German military secrets and can't be provided. The Krupp company will handle the negotiations with your delegation directly. Standard artillery technologies won't be an issue," Wilhelm II said with a smile.
In artillery manufacturing, Germany—with renowned firms like Krupp—was unquestionably a global leader.
Krupp's massive siege cannons were legendary weapons used by the German Empire to break through fortress defenses.
Wilhelm II's response was within Arthur's expectations. Germany's willingness to transfer conventional artillery technology to Australia was already a fortunate surprise.
Australia, at present, had no formidable enemies nearby, nor any strongholds requiring siege artillery.
Under such circumstances, heavy-caliber artillery, which was cumbersome to move and hard to supply, would be more of a burden than a benefit.
While unmatched in fortress-breaking capability, these weapons were not especially useful to Australia. Considering the challenges in logistics and accuracy at large calibers, they were effectively dispensable.
"As with Mauser, the details will be handled by your diplomatic team. That includes production line matters. Pricing is to be negotiated directly with Mauser and Krupp," Wilhelm II added.
Arthur nodded without objection.
As a monarch, he wasn't expected to handle every detail personally. In a centralized monarchy like Australia, Arthur's role was to establish the framework—details were for officials to work out.
"Do you need support in warship and shipyard construction?" Wilhelm II continued. "Germany's shipbuilding industry may not surpass the British Royal Navy's, but it is certainly among the most advanced in the world. If needed, we can help expand your shipyards."
Wilhelm II was aware of the shipyard Arthur currently owned.
But for a maritime nation like Australia—especially one aiming to stabilize its overseas territories—a small-scale shipyard simply wasn't enough.
"Of course we do, Your Majesty. While we have also signed a naval aid treaty with Britain, most of their support involves technology, not practical warship blueprints. I hope to acquire advanced warship designs from Germany to make up for Australia's shortage of naval plans. As a gesture of goodwill, we're willing to share the advanced technology we obtain from Britain with Germany and to purchase these German blueprints at market price," Arthur said naturally, smiling.
Even though dreadnoughts would be introduced within a few years—rendering existing "advanced warships" obsolete—if Australia didn't grasp shipbuilding techniques and collect advanced designs now, it would never be able to build dreadnoughts in the future.
It was like trying to learn high school-level knowledge without having mastered the basics of elementary school. Without that foundation, higher-level progress would be impossible.
Little by little, Australia needed to build up its knowledge. Starting from scratch, there was no other way.
Although Germany's navy was no match for Britain's Royal Navy, it was still impressive—especially for a young unified nation that had only recently begun heavy investment in naval power.
If Australia could acquire German designs and technology, it would lay the foundation for building dreadnoughts one day—a move with no downside.
Hearing Arthur's proposal, both Wilhelm II and Chancellor Bernhard nodded in agreement.
Germany, as Britain's main rival, naturally wouldn't receive any British technical support.
As a result, the German and British navies had evolved along separate lines. Access to some British technological knowledge could help Germany correct its own shortcomings and better understand Britain's naval strategies—essential for knowing one's enemy.
"No problem, Arthur. You may choose either the Braunschweig-class or the Deutschland-class battleship. Their design drawings and detailed specifications will be sold to you at market price. But I have one condition: within the next fifteen years, you may not resell or share these designs or data with any other country or entity," Wilhelm II said after some thought.
"Of course. As for selling finished warships, Germany will not object—but we require that your prices match ours to avoid unfair competition," he added.
There's a significant difference between production costs and selling prices—sometimes as much as double.
That's why Wilhelm II emphasized this clause. If Australia, after gaining shipbuilding knowledge, undercut German prices, it would hurt Germany's interests.
"Naturally, Your Majesty. Compared to Germany's industry, Australia's capabilities are worlds apart—our shipbuilding industry included. We have no intention or ability to compete with Germany. Our goal is to master the construction of large warships and prepare for future naval development," Arthur said, smiling and nodding in agreement.
In both scale and prestige, Australia couldn't dream of competing with the German Empire and had no intention of doing so.
Arthur's sole objective was to master battleship construction in preparation for the dreadnought age.
No matter what, Australia needed to first understand how to build battleships before it could even begin to attempt dreadnought construction. Without that foundation, it would be starting from zero.
(End of Chapter)
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