However, this drawback is negligible for the Phantom-4 Bomber, which is undoubtedly the most effective military aircraft of this era.


    Imagine, when arge-scale war is about to break out, hundreds of bombers suddenly fly overhead of the two armies.


    The incessant bombs dropping and the buzzing of the nes in the ears are enough to destroy the enemy''s mental defenses.


    As we know, trench warfare was nearly ubiquitous during World War I. While trenches can defend against the enemy''s machine guns and cannons, they cannot defend against aerial bombings.


    During periods of deadlock in the war, the use of airnes by Austrsia could potentially change the course of the conflict.


    Arthur ces great importance on the Phantom-4 Bomber, hence the decision to directly order 500 Bombers.


    The cost of the Phantom-4 bomber is the most expensive of the three types of military aircraft,ing in at 31,035 Australian dors each.


    This means that the cost of constructing 500 bombers amounts to 15.5 million Australian dors, making it the most expensive of the three types of military aircraft.


    With thebined orders of all three types of military aircraft, Arthur ns to order 1100 military aircraft, with a total cost of over 32.75 million Australian dors, nearly matching thest year''s government military spending.


    However, spending these funds is certainly worthwhile. After purchasing these 1100 nes, the total number of military aircraft in Austrsia will exceed 1700, surpassing thebined total of other countries.


    This also means that Austrsia''s air force is currently the strongest in the world, and a significant gap has appeared.


    It is needless to say how essential air supremacy is in a war. The air force advantage held by Austrsia would be of great assistance to the Allies in future wars.


    As for the third generation military aircraft in Austrsia that are already outpaced, they could be sold to their Allies at a lower price.


    After all, for the Allied Nations, thegging third-generation aircraft from Austrsia would still be considered advanced.


    They could also leverage the nes sold by Austrsia to study the technology and improve their own aircraft.


    However, after such a long period of development in the aviation sector of Austrsia, it has already drawn over one-third of the aviation power-rted talents in the world.


    If other countries wish to surpass Austrsia in the field of aviation, they not only need to put more effort into the talent aspect but also need the assistance of some top scientists.


    The issue is, as other countries are researching aircraft, Austrsia is doing the same, maybe even more.


    Unless the research in Austrsia is obstructed, overtaking in the field of aircraft research would depend on whether Arthur is willing to allow that to happen.


    The good news is that after years of development at the military academy in Austrsia, there is no shortage of potential pilots.


    Even with the sudden acquisition of 1100 airnes, the corresponding number of pilots could be quickly assigned.


    However, if we want the air force to be battle-ready, it might take some time and training.


    ording to data from the Aerospace Laboratory, the fastest this fleet of 1100 aircraft could be fully constructed would be the end of next year.


    The silver lining is that the Aerospace Laboratory, as well as the Aeronautical College at the Royal Military Academy, are equipped with sufficient training nes. As long as their engines are reced with thetest improved models, they can definitely be used for training purposes.


    In view of the time frame of pilot training, by the end of 1914, or at the beginning of 1915, it would be possible for the air force to be battle-ready. Then, even if the war breaks out as scheduled, the air force would be fully prepared to participate.


    The order for trucks is just the tip of the iceberg in weapons race that the European countries were engaged in 1913. Even though Austrsia''s air force has achieved an astonishing lead, Arthur does not think he has taken the advantage in this arms race.


    Speaking of which, one cannot avoid mentioning the startling state of the arms race among the European countries.


    The navalws enacted by various countries are simply like passing wind because the actual number of warships built has long exceeded the stiptions of thesews.


    So far, within just half a year, Germany has started the construction of five battleships and three battlecruisers, with rumors of at least one more main battle ship to be built.


    British, naturally not to be outdone, has begun the construction of seven battleships and six battle cruisers in response.


    The number of main battleships built by Britain and Germany in a year is twice the naval force of a major power like Austrsia.


    This is enough to testify to the exaggerated industrial capabilities of Britain and Germany, but it also indirectly indicates their financial statuses are likely not in good shape.


    One should know that the cost of warships is just the beginning. After building a warship, one must also take into ount the daily maintenance of the ship, the replenishment of weapons and equipment, and the cost of training soldiers, etc.


    Austrsia, with just three battleships and two battlecruisers, is already spending significantly. Not to mention the considerable force of main battle ships belonging to Britain and Germany.


    It can be seen from the data for the entire year of 1902 that the European powers are broadly operating at a financial deficit.


    Only Britain and France, whose finances are rtively stable, are able to barely maintain a bnce due to therge amounts of revenue from their extensive colonies.


    Germany, without vast colonies, was in a dire fiscal situation.


    Of course, the financial state of powerful nations like Russia and the Austro-Hungarian Empire were also not much better, as they were consumed by heavy debts.


    Especially Russia, despite its vastnd area and poption, had an economy that was rtively poor.


    If it were not for France''s long-standing loans and the continuous financial support from the British Empire, Russia''s fiscal state would probably have been the first to copse.


    The naval arms race, although primarily between Britain and Germany, did not exclude other nations from the Allies and the Entente Powers.


    As one of the European powers with a rtively good fiscal situation, especially when they had clearlygged behind in dreadnoughts, the French were not outdone in the speed of their shipbuilding. In just over ten months this year, they crazily started construction on four battleships and four battlecruisers.


    There was no choice in this matter, the French were already veryte in their response to dreadnoughts.


    If they do not make significant efforts, the French fleet may not be able to defeat even the Italian navy, let alone control the Mediterranean Sea.


    In the era of dreadnoughts, dreadnoughts were the strongest warships. Moreover, now that super dreadnoughts have emerged, if the French do not make a significant effort in dreadnoughts, there is a possibility that it will be an opportunity for the Allied Powers to break through the blockade of the Entente nations.


    It''s worth mentioning, while significantly constructing dreadnoughts themselves, France also loaned arge amount of money to Italy, a member of the Allied Powers.


    This allowed Italy to acquire adequate funds to expand their military and Italians started the construction of three dreadnoughts and two battlecruisers, clearly trending to shake off their status as a lesser power.


    Although the Austro-Hungarian Empire had only built one battleship this year, two dreadnoughts, which it had started building the previous year, had entered the marine testing phase and were expected to bemissioned soon.


    The same was naturally true for Russia. Two battleships and two battlecruisers that were ordered from Austrsia a long time ago had two alreadymissioned this year, and the other two had also reached the stage of marine testing.


    As a result, to Arthur''s surprise, the naval strength of Austrsia has been surpassed by all the other powers.


    Austrsia''s status as a major power seems to be teetering, at risk of being surpassed by powerful countries like ind nations at any time.


    It''s not an exaggeration to say that the naval strengths of every major power in the world are undergoing drastic changes every year, all going through a phase of crazy expansion and chase.


    At this time, if a country does not have a few dreadnoughts, it''s ashamed to call itself a naval power. If a country does not have more than ten dreadnoughts plus super dreadnoughts, it''s even embarrassed to call itself a top power.


    The disadvantages of Austrsia''s temporary halt in naval development were also exposed at this moment. If they do not catch up in terms of naval development, the major power status of Austrsia, which was acknowledged just a few years ago, may be revoked.


    In October 1913, after trucks and airnes, following a cab meeting, Austrsia officially announced its second naval expansion n.


    ording to the provisions of Austrsia''s Naval Expansion Act, Austrsia''s naval expansion will begin in early 1914, for a period of five years.


    During these five years, Austrsia will build at least two super dreadnoughts and one battlecruiser each year, maintaining Austrsia''s naval scale at amon power level.


    If this five-year naval expansion n can be sessfully implemented, then by the beginning of 1919, Austrsia will have ten super dreadnoughts, three dreadnoughts, seven battlecruisers, a full-fledged naval power level.


    As soon as this naval expansion n was announced, it immediately incited a frenzy of cheers and anticipation from the people of Austrsia.


    No one doesn''t want their country to be prosperous and strong. In fact, most Austrsians are looking forward to seeing the government expand the navy again, which is not only a manifestation of a strong country but also a better way to achieve the goal of protecting the country, the nation, and the people.n/?/vel/b//jn dot c//om


    Although this naval expansion n would make Austrsia''s military expenditure skyrocket, Arthur understood that if you do not spend a hefty price for preparation before the war, you will have to pay a hefty price to bear the losses during and after the war.


    Fortunately, Austrsia joined the naval armamentpetition rtivelyte, and there were nopetitors, so the burden was not too heavy.


    Even many civilian banks in Britain and France have stated that they are willing to provide interest-free loans to Austrsia to help their ally expand its navy.


    Especially after France loaned money to Italy, many French citizens angrily questioned their government as to why they would lend money to their enemy.


    Had it not been for the consistent hard-line attitude of the French government that pleased its citizens, it would have been a matter of minutes before the French government fell.


    Because of this, many French citizens demanded that the French government focus on its allies. If they have spare money, they should help their allies rather than their enemies.


    Being part of the Entente powers and an ally of France, Austrsia naturally also gained the attention of French citizens.


    After Austrsia''s naval expansion n was announced, French citizens publicly stated that if the government wanted to make foreign loans, they should lend to Austrsia and Russia.


    In addition to France, Britain and Russia were also very supportive of Austrsia''s navy expansion.


    The increase in Austrsia''s naval strength could greatly alleviate the naval pressure of the British Empire in the Indian Ocean.


    This would also allow the British Empire to mobilize more troops from the Indian Ocean region to the Antic and European coastal waters to participate in the blockade andbat against the Allied Powers.