What the hell is a private enterprise?

Chapter 156 Bold
If it was before 1995 or after 1997, the Northern Fleet would not have considered selling the Kuznetsov.

But it was 1996, the year when the entire Northern Navy was at its most vulnerable in every sense, and this ill-fated sister was not in good condition.

After the separation, the Kuznetsov was towed back to Murmansk by the Northern Fleet and equipped with the only 24 Su-33s it had before the separation, which was just enough.

However, in the first few years after the separation, the country was in extreme chaos, and no one cared about the maintenance of the Ku ship. Some sailors even stole precious metal parts to resell them, and no one knew where the maintenance costs went.

The situation of the Kuznetsov has deteriorated rapidly. It has been grounded this year and is stuck in the port and unable to leave.

Only 24 of the 33 Su-7s were able to fly. The aircraft carrier's boilers and generators stopped working, and the entire ship was without power. Parts were missing everywhere, and there were no replacement parts for the wearing parts.

Just further south, in Moscow, the Kremlin was thinking that after the disintegration of Russia, it could not afford to maintain a strong navy, and was considering shifting from an ocean-going fleet to a coastal defense fleet, reducing its organization and cutting personnel.

Aircraft carriers designed for long ocean voyages are too expensive, and Russia has not yet resumed production of a series of important spare parts such as the Su-33 and arresting cables. Selling them early can reduce losses.

Once the beginning of 1997 passes, the $4 billion spent on the domestic purchase of four Sovremenny-class submarines will help them recover their losses and temporarily abandon the plan to sell the Kuznetsov.

In January 1999, a mysterious Indian businessman contacted them and bought the Gorshkov aircraft carrier cruiser for $1. He finally spent $1 billion to refit it, turning it into the "Voracious Sun King" of India.

The total value of these two orders was US$70 billion, which allowed Russia to benefit from them from 97 to 2013. Although it was not a large amount for the navy, it saved most of the ships and allowed Russia to recover and restore the shipbuilding industry chain.

Chen Chen arrived at the right time, neither too early nor too late, and caught up with the time when the North Sea Fleet was most in need of money and had the strongest desire to sell off.

Unlike the Varyag, which was too mixed and too deeply influenced by the outside world, the Northern Fleet was still able to guarantee this deal.

However, Petrovich's enthusiasm made Chen Chen realize that there was some gap between the facts and what he thought.

The general who accepted the gift was very generous. After pouring coffee for Chen Chen and his party, he said generously:
"My friend, let's be honest. You can get this 6-ton super-sized warship back for just $10 billion. If you give me another $18 billion, I will refurbish all 24 Su-33s to excellent condition.

If you add another $30 million, for a total price of $ billion, I will put all the remaining spare parts, technical data, and helicopter early warning aircraft on board, and I will also have experts to instruct you on how to use this aircraft carrier."

Petrovich was really sincere, because their original plan was to spend $15 billion on the aircraft carrier and $20 billion on the carrier-based aircraft, with a total price of about $35 billion.

It’s just that a few days ago, a small aircraft carrier was suddenly produced in China, which shocked the Northern Fleet and made them start to think about the extent of the price reduction.

We know our own business. Facing the shrewd domestic navy, we certainly cannot ask for too much for the Kuznetsov ship. The ideal price internally is 25 billion US dollars, and anything above this line can be considered.

Three billion US dollars including the aircraft carrier and carrier-based aircraft, this price is much more affordable than the Super Sun King sold to India. Petrovich also feels that it is a sincere offer, and the other party is embarrassed to bargain.

Chen Chen: ... (dare not speak)

Her maximum budget is $6000 million. Will she end up sinking into ice water and being fed to fish if she tells it?
Looking back at the others, they all lowered their heads obediently after hearing this number.

"General, we are just a commercial company. We bought the aircraft carrier just for sightseeing..."

"I see!"

Petrovich waved his hand nonchalantly:

"I know your euphemisms. Someone told me the same thing a few days ago. It was another team of yours. They wanted to buy the 956 guided-missile destroyer. They were rigid and fussy.

Unlike you, Chen, I like your gift, let’s be honest.”

Chen Chen thought that this was really hard to be honest. Even if an aircraft carrier cost $10 billion, it was still too expensive. Even if he sold the Giant Group, he still couldn't get the money.

Besides, she really thought that Shi Juzhu was bought back just for show, not to form a giant fleet.

After hesitating for a moment, she spoke again:
"This size might be too expensive. What if it's a smaller size?"

Petrovich understood immediately and became even happier.

Kuznetsov is a 1143.5-type aircraft carrier cruiser, and the smaller one is the 1143-type aircraft carrier cruiser. To be honest, he is also happy to sell the 1143-type. After all, aircraft carrier cruisers are useless and impractical. Selling them will not cause any loss to the Northern Fleet. What if Kuznetsov can still be used after repairs?

"Okay, okay, I can introduce you to the latest 1143-type ship, the fourth one, the Baku. It was commissioned in 4, and it's only been eight years now, and it's as good as new.

You only need to pay $6 million for the conversion, and we will transform it into a medium-sized aircraft carrier. The hull will be given to you for free, and the carrier-based aircraft will also be discounted."

Chen Chen clenched her fists, realizing that the Russians would fight to the death to get their fill of meat, and she couldn't even see the 6 million Mao in her hand.

Oops, the gift was wasted.

However, in order to avoid being caught for teasing the general, Chen Chen pretended to be interested and listened to the whole talk. Finally, he returned to the hotel like a sleepwalker with the modification plan handwritten by his adjutant.

It took her a long time to recover and make the phone call.

……

On the left side of the Yamato, Lao Zhang was holding the outer wall of the 25mm anti-aircraft gun mount with his hands. He looked doubtful about his life after answering the phone.

Tang Wen was leaning against the railing beside him. The two of them were originally strolling on the Yamato, but Lao Zhang received a phone call and his mood changed. After Lao Zhang hung up, he couldn't help but ask:
"what happened?"

Lao Zhang: "Just now, our 956 negotiation team in the north said that another expedition team is also in Murmansk and has negotiated a $30 billion purchase of the Kuznetsov aircraft carrier, its carrier-based aircraft, related spare parts, and maintenance technology."

"..."

Tang Wen frowned and thought for a long time, confirming that he had no impression of this incident in his mind.

"That's not a good deal. The Kuznetsov is probably in very bad condition and needs to be brought back for an overhaul. Plus, those Su-33s probably aren't very good either.

$30 billion isn't expensive, but I don't think it's worth it. Aren't your expedition teams together? Why are they separated?"

Lao Zhang touched his head and said with a strange look on his face:

"It's not a naval expedition team, it's the Giant Group."

"what?"

Tang Wen's face also turned strange. Shi Juzhu was so bored that he wanted to buy a ship? Could he afford it?

The two of them pondered for a long time but couldn't figure it out, so Tang Wen simply called directly, and then he found out that it was Chen Chen who acted on his own and he didn't expect to bump into him.

This matter was reported back to the General Assembly, but there was no objection?
So, the Navy may also be considering buying the Huiku ships in a package?

After all, they are selling 24 Su-33s and a heavy aircraft carrier together. To be honest, it is not expensive. The Russians even said that the maintenance costs are included.

However, China already has the 011 aircraft carrier, and the carrier-based aircraft plan is also being launched. The Kuznetsov ship is a ski-jump deck aircraft carrier, and the carrier-based aircraft purchased are not very compatible with the 011 aircraft carrier.

"The Su-33 is good. We will definitely develop large aircraft carriers in the future. In fact, the carrier-based aircraft based on the J-10 are not enough. We will definitely develop twin-engine heavy carrier-based aircraft."

Lao Zhang suddenly said that the J-7J was a purely emergency product to solve existing problems.

The carrier-based version of the J10, which weighs around 15 tons, is basically the operational limit of the Hornet. Any larger will have to be carried on a large aircraft carrier.

The Navy’s goal had actually always been to start with a 5-ton aircraft carrier, and they had always been thinking about heavy carrier-based aircraft, but the Hornet just happened to run into it.

The Navy may give up on the Kuznetsov, but is definitely interested in the Su-33.

China has just introduced the imitation Su-27 and is likely to try to introduce the Su-33.

(End of this chapter)