Cash-Loaded Fleet

Chapter 7 - Powering Up Aircraft Carriers with the Power of Money

"Do you have any other problems?"

The question from Binta, resembling that of a salesman or an inquirer, was met with a wry smile. However, this was the perfect opportunity for the Minister of the Navy to present additional requests.

"Regarding the Nagato and Mutsu, unlike other battleships with 36-centimeter guns, their engines aren't in bad shape. However, if possible, we would also like to upgrade them to high-output engines. This way, they could achieve a minimum speed of 28 knots, and if all goes well, possibly even 29 knots."

The Nagato and Mutsu had only been in service for just over ten years. However, there had been remarkable advancements in engine technology during that time. With the same output, significant reductions in size and weight were possible, and the fuel efficiency had improved, enhancing their range. Especially for a cash-strapped navy, reduced fuel costs were more valuable than anything else.

"I understand. We will provide the necessary funds for the refit of the Nagato and Mutsu. By the way, you've been focusing on battleships in your requests so far, but do you have any carriers?"

Already, there was a budget of 45 million yen for the aviation expansion, on top of upgrading the existing battleships with 41-centimeter guns. The refit of those battleships alone would cost well over 100 million yen, so Binta's offer was exceedingly generous. Furthermore, Binta was inquiring about additional requests. Perhaps he sensed that they were being reserved, and he was reaching out with further offers. With gratitude for Binta's consideration, the Minister of the Navy revealed his true thoughts.

"We have the carriers Akagi and Kaga, which were converted from battlecruisers or battleships, but their operational records haven't been very favorable. We would like to carry out extensive renovations to make them capable of handling modern carrier-based aircraft, but unfortunately, there is no funding available at the moment."

The Akagi and Kaga are large carriers, each with three flight decks. However, due to this configuration, the top flight deck is considerably shorter. Considering that carrier-based aircraft are expected to become faster and heavier in the future, this design was clearly a drawback.

"In that case, let's do extensive refits on the Akagi and Kaga as well. If we convert them to single-deck flight decks like the American Lexington and Saratoga, both ships should be well-equipped to adapt to the trend of high-speed and heavy carrier-based aircraft. Additionally, with a complete engine replacement, especially Kaga should see a significant boost in speed. In any case, these two ships are vital assets for the Imperial Navy's naval aviation, so we should aim for a comprehensive performance upgrade without budget constraints."

As Binta spoke, he couldn't help but think about the bottleneck regarding these renovations. He was referring to the shipyard facilities responsible for the reconstruction of battleships and carriers. Currently, in Japan, there were only four facilities capable of constructing large ships: the dry docks at Yokosuka Naval are and the slipways at Kure Naval Arsenal, along with private shipyards in Kobe and Nagasaki. However, all of these facilities were currently occupied with the construction of large cruisers planned under the Circle 1 Plan. Despite possessing one of the world's top naval forces, Japan's domestic shipbuilding and repair facilities were severely limited. Therefore, Binta pointed this out to the Minister of the Navy.

"As you've rightly mentioned, our country's shipbuilding and repair facilities are by no means sufficient. The Imperial Navy is aware of this issue. There are plans to build shipyards with over 300 meters of dock length in Yokosuka and Sasebo, but securing the necessary budget for this endeavor has proven challenging."

In a nation with a poor navy like the Imperial Japanese Navy, the focus inevitably tended to be on front-line equipment. It was a situation that couldn't be helped because they couldn't afford to waste resources.

"In that case, let's provide the funds for the construction of shipyards in Yokosuka and Sasebo. Also, at this juncture, why don't we consider a substantial introduction of construction machinery? Compared to traditional manual labor, it significantly shortens construction periods. Of course, we'll cover the costs of this as well."

Binta's generosity left the Minister of the Navy feeling both amazed and thankful. However, the term 'construction machinery' was unfamiliar to him, so he inquired about it.

"Construction machinery, heavy machinery, or earthmoving equipment, roughly speaking, these are tools used for digging, transporting soil, moving stones, and cutting down trees. I've visited construction sites a few times while I was in the United States, and I've witnessed the power these construction machines possess. By using them, construction progresses far more efficiently than the traditional methods. And this doesn't just apply to shipyards but also to the construction of airfields and fortifications. If we introduce these construction machines, the Imperial Navy's construction capabilities should dramatically improve due to their mechanical power."

The Minister of the Navy had heard discussions that when dealing with the United States, it might become a battle over the islands in the Pacific. The islands in question would be those suitable for airfields. In that case, the capability to set up airfields had significant implications.

"If you're willing to support not only battleships and carriers but also the construction of shipyards, we would greatly appreciate it."

While he felt that he might be asking for too much, the Minister of the Navy wanted to take every possible step as the relationship between Japan and the United States had been deteriorating since the start of the conflict in Asia.