KOS | A Call to France

[Jace]

TOP SECRET | ENCRYPTED​

Vincent Wei, the newly-crowned King of Singapore, sat in his office at the heart of the Royal Palace whilst sipping on a glass of his favorite brandy. Several aides shuffled to and from as they delivered official documentation regarding the myriad of issues that cropped up after the transition of power. Having decided several minutes prior to delegate them back to his staff, he was now attempting to reach out to his French counterpart by phone, marking the second official outreach by his government since assuming power. The French president would be contacted through an encrypted line to avoid any prying ears, both internal and external.



@Ellie

 

[Ellie]

President Macron, after being able to make some room during the Yellow Vest protests, would secure a secret and encrypted line to speak with the King of Singapore.

"President Emanuelle Macron speaking, how may I help you?"

@Jace

 

[Jace]

"Good evening, President Macron, and salutations. My name is Vincent Wei, King of Singapore, as well as the CEO of Lion Defense Industries. Thank you for taking my phone call, as I've heard you're quite busy as of recent." He alluded to the protests currently hitting the French homeland. "I wanted to reach out to you personally to jump-start relations between our countries, as I believe there's been a lack there-of for quite some time now. We are extremely interested in bilteral relations with the French nation, and improving upon those even further in the future. If your government is open to the idea, that is, then I would much like to continue this discussion even further."

@Ellie

 

[Ellie]

"France would love to improve our relations and I must congratulate you on your success in bringing your country back to restoration. Whatever France could do to help, please just ask. Perhaps Singapore is in need of military equipment? France would be interested in selling rights to domestic production to other nations in need. Let us know what Singapore needs the most and we will do our best to help."

@Jace

 

[Jace]

"I thank you on behalf of my nation for your congratulations. The process has not been easy, but the transition from being a republic has been rather peaceful, for the most part. As for your offer, it is one that we are definitely interested in pursuing. Whilst we are able to domestically produce a variety of land and naval systems by ourselves, there have been certain limitations that have severely affected our ability to domestically produce aircraft and armored vehicles such as tanks, for example. We would like to start there, if possible."

@Ellie

 

[Ellie]

"France is able to give the domestic rights for the Dassault Rafale, which can carry out both air-to-ground, as well as air-to-air attacks and interceptions during the same sortie. As for tanks, France has the AMX Leclerc Main Battle Tank. The domestic production license for the Rafale would cost 800,000,000.00$ and the Leclerc Main Battle Tank would cost 300,000,000.00$, both added together would be 1,100,000,000.00$. I understand that Singapore is a nation just coming back onto the global stage so we could give these licenses to Singapore on no interest payments, or perhaps Singapore could trade its own licenses for French licenses? Entirely up to you."

@Jace

 

[Jace]

Vincent smiled for a moment as he handed off a handful of files to one of his aides. He'd just heard the President's offer, and he was definitely interested in securing the deal for his nation. "Well Mr. President, the assumption that a billion would be a bit too much for our economy to handle is quite accurate to make. I'm certain that a few months is all it would take for me to secure the necessary funds, if not faster assuming untapped sources of wealth are exploited." Indeed, there were other methods of acquiring the necessary funds immediate enough to warrant a near-future purchase in cash. These weren't the wisest choices though, and Vincent was smart enough to work with what he had.

"But... I believe we can come to an agreement. In return for the domestic production rights to the Rafale and the Leclerc, I am willing to offer full rights to licensing and production of all LDI Land systems, as well as all current naval vessels we currently produce. You will find a full record of our inventory in LDI's catalogue, which I am arranging to be faxed over to you at this very moment." A quick wave of a hand would send another nearby aide to send off the fax. "I am also willing to throw in an extra bone, although I must admit that it perhaps would serve to benefit both parties rather than just the French. Sembawang Naval Base, formerly known by the British as Singapore Naval Base, is currently not being used by our naval forces for anything in particular. As a gesture of goodwill, I can offer your government the sole right to use the base when needed. The nearby Sembawang Air Base will also be thrown into the deal as a measure of goodwill, considering the close proximity to the naval base. I'd imagine the United Kingdom would get quite the kick out of your government maintaining any amount of presence in one of their former bases."

 

[Ellie]

Macron would receive the fax and nod. "This equipment seems like a good trade for the Rafale and the Leclerc Main Battle Tank. You have a deal and I will have someone draw up the rights of production license for Singapore at this very moment."

Macron would give Vincent a small laugh. "Yes, I would imagine the United Kingdom would be quite irritated with the French navy maintaining a presence there. This deal pleases us and we agree. And if you allow us, we will also build a radar in the Air Base to protect French interests in the region, this radar can also be used to inform Singapore of any potential threats by its neighbors or any foreign activity. Would you agree?"

 

[Jace]

Vincent would laugh alongside the French President. He had nothing against the British, but a small part of him did enjoy allowing the French access to a base that was once owned and operated by their eternal rival by one of its former colonies. If anything it was the smallest jab possible, and soon he would move on back to the business at hand.

"I have no reason to say no to such a generous offer, Mr. President. In terms of foreign policy, It is imperative that my nation has the capability to detect threats far outside the vicinity of our borders and territorial waters. The situation to our north, for example, is one that we intend to follow." He alluded to the Vietnamese communists, although the same could be said about the myriad of communists that all were to Singapore's north.

"And since we're touching on that subject... I am extremely interested in the immediate purchase of atleast one of the Aircraft carriers currently being offered by your defense industries for sale. To protect Singaporean interests in the region and abroad, we must obtain the ability to project power beyond far beyond our borders . I believe we might even be interested in a second one, depending on the price and any discounts or deals that are offered."

 

[Ellie]

"I'm happy to hear that Singapore is interested in the Clemenceau-class Aircraft Carrier. It may not be the most modern of aircraft carriers but it is a wonderful start for a country re-entering the global stage, it can hold up to forty aircraft and if Singapore no longer wished to use it for airplanes, it can be modified into a helicopter carrier.

Due to Singapore being a newly established country, we are willing to give you a great discount of 35,000,000.00$ per carrier which would bring both carriers to 70,000,000.00$ which would save Singapore 30,000,000.00$. If Singapore so wishes they could pay for both of the carriers in two payments of 35,000,000.00$"

@Jace

 

[Jace]

"The discount is appreciated, and the funds for the first payment will be transferred over immediately. On a final note, I want like to offer a free trade agreement between our nations as well."

@Ellie

 

[Ellie]

"Wonderful, the Clemenceau-class carriers will begin construction shortly.

I'm happy to hear that Singapore wishes to trade with us. France's main exports are machinery and transportation equipment, aircrafts, plastics, iron and steel, pharmaceutical products."

@Jace