Damn the World, Ride a Submarine - Chapter 110



Only Krnovel

Episode 110 – Improvement

The JFN nuclear joint firepower ship will have its entire deck covered with VLS vertical launch tubes.

– JFN (Joint Fireship, Nuclear-powered)

It was expected that efficient missile launches would be possible by removing unnecessary equipment.

While a typical Aegis ship would need more than 15 seconds to fire missiles continuously, the JFN joint fire force ship aims to fire missiles at a rate of one per second.

All 704 missiles would be launched in 12 minutes, with the goal of not giving the enemy time to respond in the event of an emergency.

If the JFN joint firepower ship launched a preemptive strike, the enemy would have no way to respond to the weapon system.

One JFN had the firepower of eight Aegis ships. It was a monstrous ship with a payload of missiles worth over 3.5 trillion won.

There were also opinions that it would be better to have multiple Aegis ships than to have multiple destroyers, and that they would be vulnerable to torpedo attacks.

There was confidence in the OSS’s anti-submarine warfare capabilities and air defenses.

Another reason for choosing it was that, in addition to tactical convenience, it was judged to be an effective means of demonstrating force.

Five JFN joint firepower ships could simultaneously strike at least 3,500 targets. It was clear that this would be a different strategic option from nuclear weapons.

Moreover, in just 12 minutes, between 4 and 14 trillion won worth of explosives could be poured onto a wide range of targets.

Military strategic trend of dispersing high-value targets to protect against nuclear threats? It’s a means of catching them off guard.

– The cost varies depending on the missile configuration. Hyunmoo 4 costs 4 billion won per missile. South Korea’s annual defense budget is 60 trillion won. –

If we can’t have nuclear missiles, the goal is to have more sophisticated weapons systems, even if they are uneconomical.

With just a nuclear-powered aircraft carrier under construction and an E-2D early warning aircraft, no country in the world other than the United States will be able to surpass the OSS.

Even if they mobilize all their military power.

The most regrettable part of building an aircraft carrier was that there was no early warning aircraft, so assistance from the US military was required.

To address this, the introduction of the MV-22 AEW, which is being developed as a V-22 Osprey airframe that can be operated from America-class amphibious assault ships, has been urged.

Although it may not be as good as the E-2 Hawkeye, it is a vertical takeoff and landing aircraft that can be operated from amphibious assault ships as well as Aegis destroyers.

The MV-22 AEW could adequately replace the E-2D if more than two were to be operated, and in some ways even surpassed it.

It ordered 50 units from Bell and Boeing, which were developing it and waiting for mass production due to lack of funds, and paid the introduction cost in advance.

– AEW (Airborne Early Warning)

And for the rapid delivery of the two America-class amphibious assault ships that were to be donated by the United States, he encouraged the recruitment and dispatch of sailors, pilots, and airmen, along with the support of the advance party sent.

I wanted to get it done quickly before America changed its mind.

It was decided to receive all aircraft based on the maritime control mission, including 24 F35Bs and 12 MV-22s.

OSSIA began secret communication with the director.

“Yes, sir.”

“Sir, I’m connecting with you because I have something I need you to do.”

“Please speak.”

As the OSS fleet grew in size, it became necessary to have a full submarine force.

“Sir, I need to buy some weapons from the United States.”

“What will it be this time?”

“There are four SSGN nuclear submarines.”

“Hmm. I don’t know much about weapons, but judging by the current atmosphere, I think it’ll work out well.”

“Is that so?”

“Well then. What kind of achievements have we made in Ukraine this time? Even they acknowledge that the OSS has achieved what the US and NATO could not.”

“That’s fortunate. Haha.”

“And before deciding to participate in the Ukrainian war, we demanded that they provide us with the latest aircraft carrier as a condition. It’s not something we just asked for, so things will turn out well.”

“please.”

“But thanks to the independence of the Far Eastern Republic, I don’t have to worry about money. Haha.”

“is it so?”

“They lined up in Korea to give us oil. They were really crouching down. Hahaha.”

“Is that it?”

“How can an oil tanker easily pass through the South China Sea these days? Pirates, China… They say that oil tankers departing from the Middle East are circling the Philippine Sea and heading to Korea.”

“ah ···.”

The story of this section chief, who was greatly encouraged by the change in the status of the OSS due to the Far Eastern Republic, continued.

“The existing distance from the Middle East to Korea was 7,000km.”

“That would be about it.”

“However, because of pirates and China, the route has been extended to 12,000 km to return to the Philippine Sea, causing great economic and security losses.”

“The amount of oil used to transport it must be no joke.”

“Yes. Our Far Eastern Republic is right across the East Sea from Korea and Japan, right? It’s 750km from Vladivostok to the Ulsan oil refinery.”

“Ah… It’s 1/16.”

“Haha. Our CEO is quick at calculating. And since OSL has monopolized the oil tanker business, money is coming in quickly. Director Lee Shin-young seems excited too. Haha.”

“It went really well. It’s all thanks to Manager Lee.”

“These days, there are more than a few places where I can make a splash.”

“?”

“The Far Eastern Republic is furious because the money that used to go to the Russian Federation is now becoming the republic’s revenue.”

“…”

“Korea is happy because it can secure oil at a low price and in a stable manner, we are happy because we are making money, and Japan is also begging for a small cut. Hehehe.”

“That’s right. I didn’t think things would turn out like this.”

“Besides, the Far Eastern Republic is said to be purchasing Korean weapons with the money from oil sales, so these days, when I meet Korean government officials, they treat me like an imperial envoy. Haha.”

“Now it remains to protect the Far Eastern Republic. For everyone…”

“Ah! I see. That’s right. I think I need to be careful.”

“…”

“The political situation in the Far Eastern Republic is not all that stable. It seems that former Russian Eastern Military District officers are coming and going, and both Russia and China are making moves as if they are looking for an opportunity.”

“I guessed it, but…”

“This is just my opinion.”

“Go ahead, sir.”

“I think it would be a good idea to increase the size of the OSS Far East Brigade here. Internal enemies are more frightening than external enemies. I think we should prevent them from harboring other thoughts.”

“Okay, I understand. How big would be good?”

“I don’t know much about the military system, but I think it needs to be at least two or three times larger than its current size to be able to check and weaken the military.”

“Looking back at the last time the brigade was created, the existing officers and soldiers came to our side, so it seems that the military’s power naturally weakened.”

“Oh, so you’re saying that the effect is doubled because the stronger we get, the more our opponents lose strength.”

“Yes, it is.”

“Okay, let’s reorganize it into the OSS Far East Forces and expand it to about four brigades. It’s just an idea that came to mind…”

“Please tell me. Whenever you say something comes to mind, I get excited. Hehehe.”

“As you said earlier, the Far Eastern Republic has become an important country not only for us, but also for Korea, Japan, and the United States.”

“That’s right.”

“So, I think it would be a good idea to create an international organization that would facilitate military and economic cooperation between neighboring countries centered around the East Sea.”

“Oh! That’s great.”

“There is no need for us to be the only ones protecting the Far Eastern Republic.”

“First, if we just involve the Far Eastern Republic and South Korea, the rest will probably come together on its own. The key is a military and economic alliance to protect the Far Eastern Republic’s oil and natural gas.” “Good. Good! Haha. I’ll consult with President Choi Ivanovich and get back to you.”

“Yes. Then, thank you for your hard work, Manager.”

We thought that if we created an international organization with the OSS as the center, we could enter the nuclear umbrella of member states. Like NATO.

…

The OSS fleet, parting the seas on its way back to the new camp, sailed through the British Indian Ocean, stopping briefly in the Maldives for resupply and rest.

The fleet then passed through the Burmese Sea and the Strait of Malacca.

As we passed through the Singapore Strait, the competition among media outlets to cover the event was fierce, as if we were watching a parade at a festival.

A ship specially formed for that purpose was sailing alongside our fleet, cutting through the waves.

Now, as we turned around Borneo, it was time to arrive at our home base, Tawi Tawi Island. – Borneo Island is a large island about 7.5 times the size of South Korea. –

Southeast Asian countries, including the Philippines and Vietnam, seemed to welcome the return of OSS.

It was the only maritime power capable of restraining China, which had become a bully in the South China Sea.

The anticipation was palpable as the Philippine newspapers reported every move of the OSS fleet in headlines.

[ OSS in the Singapore Strait, reporting from each country ]

[ OSS, passing through the Makassar Strait ]

[ OSS, Heading to Mindanao ]

[ The End of War, OSS Improvement Imminent! ]

[ OSS, the only maritime force in Southeast Asia that can check China ]

All circumstances were turning in favor of the OSS. That meant that the days on board the Tawitawiho were hectic.

Before we knew it, the OSS fleet had arrived at the new camp.

Due to a lack of berthing facilities, TMSH and nearby Bongao Port were filled with our ships.

We were truly a triumphant army. I thought of that triumph in a different sense.

We were an army that did not simply win, but ‘improved’ and corrected what was wrong.

It was reported that not only OSS officers but also heads of autonomous governments in Mindanao and the central government of the Philippines sent people to gather to celebrate the improvement of OSS.

Let’s take a helicopter from Tawi Tawi Lake and land at the new camp.

Hyein ran towards me like a sprinter, her white one-piece dress fluttering in the wind, and hugged me.

I stood there for a while without saying anything.

I could feel her left shoulder soaking wet with hot tears. I just lightly patted Hyein’s back.

I could feel her breathing as she held back her sobs. I hugged her tightly once again.

“If you keep doing this, I won’t be able to see your face.”

“brother ···.”

Hyein looked at me with tearful eyes.

I held her hand and went to the welcoming ceremony hall because I wanted to finish the ceremony quickly and rest.

After the welcoming ceremony, I spent the whole day with Hyein. The long wait and the tension of the battlefield met. And we fought a happy war.

…