Soviet Union 1991

First update

When Yanayev asked about arms sales between Vietnam and France, Le Duc Anh could only report truthfully to the General Secretary of the Soviet Union, "Are you talking about the deal for Kasar-class destroyers and Fighter-class fast missile patrol boats? I think Yanayev My husband has some misunderstanding. In fact, Vietnam is not ready to buy France. "Preparation of the ship." Li Deying said very honestly, "After discussion, we did not think that the Kasar-class destroyer met Vietnam's combat needs. Therefore, after discussions with senior officials of the Ministry of National Defense, it was decided that the Fighter-class fast missile patrol boat was in line with our military purchase. Object."

It’s not that Li Duc An is unmoved by the Kasar-class destroyers. Except for the Biejia-class frigates, which reach 1,000 tons, other ships in the Vietnamese navy generally do not exceed 600 tons. Now China is stepping up its deployment of center cruisers, which means that the Vietnamese Navy will face a more passive situation in the subsequent South China Sea disputes. Considering that I had finally hoped for two 4,000-ton displacement Kasar-class destroyers, but they were directly disrupted by the Soviet Union, one can imagine Li Deying's unwillingness.

But when facing the powerful General Secretary of the Soviet Union, he had to make a humble gesture of respect no matter what. He did not hope that the Soviet Union would directly abandon Vietnam and instead fund Cambodia. This would be tantamount to establishing a powerful enemy for himself. . What's more, the Vietnamese navy is still supported by Soviet weapons. There is no benefit in turning against the Soviet Union at this time.

"Kasar class? The Soviet Union is willing to sell Kashin class destroyers to Vietnam. With the same tonnage, the price of Kashin class destroyers is cheaper." Yanayev began to make his own calculations. Of course, the Kashin class destroyers It is not at the same level as the Kasar-class destroyers, but now the Vietnamese Navy, which is thinking about speed, economy and economy, needs to spend less money to buy more large ships so that it can have the strength to confront China.

But Chairman Le Duc Anh hesitated. The Kashin-class destroyer is a ship of the Soviet Red Navy that is nearing retirement. Naturally, it cannot be compared with the Kasar-class destroyer that has not yet been completed, not to mention that it is even more vulnerable to the Glorious-class cruiser. However, no matter how much Li Deying thought about it, he could not stand up to Yanayev's constant advocacy and consideration of the actual situation. After all, every leader of a small country has a dream of stars and sea. What's more, the Vietnamese Navy's equipment has been in service for too long. The US-made Class 1-150 tank landing ship is already a product of the early 1940s. It is generally aging and has insufficient spare parts, which has affected the overall combat capability of the Vietnamese Navy.

The Cassin-class Agility has been retired, and it happens to be one of the ships for arms sales. Moreover, the Swift sank in an accident in the waters of Sevastopol. It is better to sell it to Vietnamese ships now.

"We have built improved models of ships for India, from the first ship delivered in 1980 to the fifth ship delivered in 1988. And all improved models are equipped with helicopter hangars. In 1988, we also sold a ship to Poland " Yanayev is desperately bragging about the sales of the Cassin class just to let Vietnam understand that our ships are worth buying.

"Of course, the Vietnamese navy is now only an offshore defense force with light equipment as its main body, but don't forget that the country around you has many island disputes with you in the South China Sea. Even if the combat performance of the Cassin-class destroyer It is not as good as France’s latest Casal-class destroyer, but its cheap cost allows Vietnam to build a powerful navy in the shortest time. Strength, think about the strong psychological pressure that you have three Cassin-class destroyers on your opponents. Moreover, we can also replace the two twin SA-N-1 Goa ship-to-air missile launchers with more powerful air defense capabilities. The SS-N-25 Uranus anti-ship missile device gives the Cassin-class destroyer a more powerful sea and air defense capability. What do you think?”

Three or four Cassin-class destroyers can break the balance of underwater power in Southeast Asia, deter small countries in the South China Sea, and provoke a maritime arms race in the South China Sea. Therefore, Yanayev continued to indoctrinate Li Deying, making him believe that based on the actual situation, it is better to buy a Kassin class than a Kassin class. Moreover, the Cassin-class cost is even cheaper than the Casal-class proposed by the French.

"Chairman Li Ducying, I think you are all people who cannot understand the affairs. When you buy a Kasar-class, you can already buy an upgraded version of the Kassin-class. We also provide a variety of ship weapon upgrades. Plans are available for you to choose from.”

Yanayev has painted a bright prospect for Vietnam, making him believe that with its Kassin-class destroyers, Vietnam can change the military strength of surrounding countries in one breath and pose a major threat to countries around the South China Sea.

After much thought, it was decided that such an issue should be left to the Ministry of National Defense for discussion and decision, so Li Deying declined politely, "The Ministry of National Defense needs to reconsider..."

"Tell me, Chairman Le Duc Anh." Yanayev was very dissatisfied with Li Duc Anh's hesitation. As long as someone is blowing the whistle, Vietnam will definitely change the target of arms sales immediately, and then it will become a discord between France and the Soviet Union. This is the last thing Yanayev wants to see situation, so he directly interrupted Li Ducying, "What kind of ships a country purchases, is it ultimately decided by you or by the Ministry of National Defense? If a country's leader does not have the courage to make a decision, I think he will also It’s not good to govern a country.”

The implication is that if the Soviet Union asks you to buy it, do you dare not to buy it?

"But..." The Vietnamese Prime Minister began to speak unsteadily, obviously stunned by the attitude of the Soviet leader. Le Duc Anh knew that Yanayev could not only sow discord between Vietnam and Cambodia, but also between Brunei, Malaysia and the Philippines. If things went wrong, Vietnam might end up in an ambush. Then China would take advantage of the situation and intervene, and might even kill Vietnam without any damage.

"No buts, I hope the Vietnamese Ministry of Defense can give a reply in the next few days, whether it is to send a delegation to visit the Soviet Union or for the Soviet delegation to come to Vietnam for negotiations directly. We just need to get an important reply in the next few days." Yanayev did not say whether it was a positive or negative reply. For Le Duc Anh, this was definitely a condition that could not be refused.

Throughout the negotiation, Yanayev put pressure on Le Duc Anh with an imposing manner. Vietnam was like a piece of chicken ribs to the Soviet Union. Apart from continuing to squeeze surplus value, there was no more strategic advantage. After all, the Soviet Union no longer had the vigor and vitality of the Brezhnev period, and Cam Ranh Bay far away in Southeast Asia could no longer play any role. Some people may ask if the Soviet Union does not intend to continue to complete the record of the Four Seas Fleet in the world.

However, the reduced naval power can only be used to defend the Soviet Union's waters and coastal areas, but the silent submarines are developing rapidly.

"I will give Chairman Yanayev a reply in the next few days." Li Duying said helplessly. In the face of Yanayev's strength, Vietnam naturally retreated a little. Now the only way he can think of not to offend the Soviet Union and France is to purchase the Soviet Kashin-class destroyer and then purchase the French Gladiator-class missile patrol boat.

"I hope to receive a reply from Vietnam as soon as possible. I think it must be a new chapter in the friendly cooperation between the two countries."

Seeing that Li Duying had surrendered, Yanayev smiled and shook hands with him, but he could detect the helplessness that flashed in his eyes. However, since ancient times, small countries have no real say in front of big countries, so Yanayev can give full play to the influence of the Soviet Union's huge national strength in the confrontation of the international situation.

Failure never belongs to the Soviet Union.

The Soviet Union won the first round of the confrontation with France, and Yanayev was looking forward to seeing the frustrated expression of the Gallic rooster next.

The real competition has just begun. Yanayev thought. He has never been afraid of France, but he hopes to use this Vietnam arms sales game to let Chirac know who his real opponent is.

After Yanayev hit France with a big stick, the Soviet Union will give it a big carrot as a consolation as usual. In this way, the Soviet Union and France will be teammates who advance and retreat together in a sense. (To be continued.)