392 Arms Sale Agreemen (1/2)

Chapter 392: Arms Sale Agreement

Translator: _Min_Editor: Caron_

In terms of diplomatic relationships, in contrast with its allies that were keen on flexing their muscles on the international stage, Australia's performance had been mediocre at best. It was partially because of its unfavorable geographic location, but also because its citizens never paid too much attention to international affairs.

As a joke, while the Australia government was attempting to win a seat on the UN security council, the opposition party laughed at the president for spending too much time on international politics, thus neglecting the crisis surrounding climate change.

Compared to Britain, France and UA that liked to play international political games during election years, Australia was calmer. But behind the calmness was a strong naval presence.

The Royal Australian Navy currently possessed six ”Collins” class submarines, three ”Adelaide” class warships, eight ”Anzac” class warships, six mine hunters and other vessels; they could be considered the strongest naval force in the Pacific region.

Not only that, but currently the Royal Australian Navy was pushing the ”SEA1400” and ”SEA1000” projects with projected costs of 7.5 billion and 37 billion USD respectively. The projects would construct three ”Hobart” class Aegis destroyers and 12 ”Collins” class submarines, with the goal of replacing the existing fleet by 2020 and ultimately changing the existing naval force by 2030 to push for navy modernization…

But all this required money.

Considering its rather calm diplomatic policies and tight budget, its determination to modernize its navy was incredibly ambitious.

Because of this, the disposal of old navy vessels had been a problem that troubled Canberra for the past while. If country F was willing to purchase some old ships, the Australian government had no reason to object.

As for the extra condition requiring them to change their stance in the west Pacific, the Australians didn't mind since Xin was only a small country with a population of twenty thousand.

Jiang Chen would target this sale to ruin country F's plan.

…

In Australia's capital, Canberra.

Outside of a Burger King, a taxi stopped.

The door opened and a middle-aged man with a grey trenchcoat walked out. After he examined the interior of the restaurant, he cautiously looked behind him.

After he confirmed that there were no reporters following him, he opened the door and walked in. He didn't order anything as he sat down at a seat in the innermost part of the restaurant and looked at the black man that sat across him.

Barkary, a manager at Celestial Trade Company.

”Barkary?” The middle-aged man scanned his phone before he looked at Barkary and asked in a low voice.

”That's right, and you must be Brody.” Barkary extended his right hand.

Brody, a member of the liberal party, had a reputation within the party second only to the party head, Malcolm.

Hesitating for a second, Brody shook his hand and spoke while staring into his eyes.

”The manager of Celestial Trade Company? Australia doesn't need a security company; I probably can't help you.”

Barkary laughed and put his arms on the table.

”But we can definitely help you out.”

Brody raised his eyebrows and signaled him to continue.

Barkary smiled and exposed his white teeth. ”I heard you have an inactive MEKO-200 warship-”

”Impossible. We already decided to sell that to country F, so there's no way we can sell it to you. If you're here for that, you're out of luck.” Brody immediately knew what he was going to say as he rejected him outright.

”200 employment positions in your riding,” Barkary said.

Brody wanted to get up, but his interest was piqued, so he sat down again.

For a parliament member, there was nothing he cared about more than his riding. Although he was scornful at Barkary's suggestion, he still sat down and waited for him to continue.

”You haven't figured out the situation, Mr. Barkary. I can't convince the parliament to sell a navy vessel to a country we're unfamiliar with, even if it's just an inactive navy vessel,” Brody said.

”I never said it would be sold to a country.” Barkary shook his head.

”Not possible for private individuals either.”

Brody wanted to get up, but Barkary pulled him back down and signaled Brody to give him ten minutes.

The parliament member sat down again as Barkary spoke with a smile.

”Our boss is planning to purchase a bankrupted amusement park located in New South Wales for five million USD. The vessel will be purchased under the name of the amusement park and converted into a military museum. This is not against the arms sales regulation because it's an Australian corporation that will purchase the vessel, and it's for non-military purposes.”

And this point, Barkary stopped talking and watched Brody's eyes gradually lighting up. He knew that this parliament member was tempted by the proposal.

After a moment of deliberation, Brody said in an undertone:

”How much are you planning to pay?”