WesWorld

15 July 1944

To: Government of Russia; Government of Azerbaijan
From: Government of Persia

Dear Sirs,

The Government of Persia has noted that the Caspian Sea Agreement, signed in 1938, has now lapsed.

At this time, the Government of Persia is reviewing its operational requirements on the Caspian Sea and some deficiencies have been noted. Before we act on correcting those deficiencies, we would ask that your governments confirm whether or not there is interest in negotiating a new limitations treaty regarding naval armaments on the Caspian. This will serve to inform our planning for 1945 and onward.

Sincerely,

The Government of Persia

3 January 1945

The Persian Navy has released a report summarizing its status and near-term projects.

The Navy noted that its general building program is well advanced, with five modern destroyers and four modern sloops laid down in recent years. While the Ayask class destroyer class will end with the completion of the Eslamshahr, laid down two days ago, the sloop program will continue with five units of a modified Damavand class.

"Our long-term planning has been for three surface action groups, based on a cruiser and four destroyers, and three long-range escort groups, based on four sloops," observed navy chief Rear-Admiral Sadegh Tarzi. "We will meet these targets by 1947."

Of particular note in the present year is the planned retro-fitting of new electronics to the navy's cruisers and destroyers. The hardware, manufactured in Bharat, will be installed in a series of refits at the Bandar-e Abbas shipyard. A similar program is planned for larger patrol units in the near future.

Bharati cooperation will also allow for the construction of two replenishment oilers, vessels too large to be built on Persia's slipways. These ships, to be completed by 1947, will permit blue-water deployments in support of allies or in defence of petroleum exports. Other auxiliaries to be built include amphibious landing craft and a new survey ship.

Ongoing infrastructure development has now shifted to co-funding a Hedjazi drydock which, as Rear-Admiral Tarzi noted, may be used to maintain or repair Persian warships escorting petroleum exports or commercial vessels carrying pilgrims to and from the Hajj. In light of the issue with slipway size, it is expected that 1946 will see the expansion of an existing 120m slipway to 145 or even 170 metres.

One wild-card remaining at this time is the status of Persia's Caspian Sea Flotilla. While an agreement with Azerbaijan and Russia had frozen warship tonnage in the Caspian, that agreement has expired and neither power has responded to Persia's inquiries into the matter. "We see no particular benefit in triggering a new arms race with our neighbours, but there is a practical need to add some auxiliary and patrol elements to our flotilla," Rear-Admiral Tarzi stated. "We do not intend to proceed with construction until 1946, and will keep our neighbours appraised of the general nature of said program to avoid unnecessary friction."

As the past player of Azerbaijan, I could probably write up something in regards to their response. At the moment, Azerbaijan's navy is composed of outdated stuff, and it got rather bloated toward the end. It might be worthwhile to update their equipment and dispose of the antiquated gear - perhaps in the process achieving some sort of tonnage agreement with Persia. I don't think it's reasonable for Azerbaijan to be churning out 4,000t of warships every year, and so any update just needs to take a year or two to wipe the slate clean so they can be sent back to NPC-ship.

I'd be good with that. The Persians aren't looking to do anything crazy on the Caspian; I'm eyeballing a few landing craft and patrol boats for general duties, perhaps a fisheries research ship, and 2-4 coastal sloops/minesweeper/survey things.

I will compose some sort of proposal for you to review, then.

Russia's probably not going need to deploy many ships on the Caspian, since they control the river and canal links and can move ships from the Black Sea to the Caspian whenever they wish...

Indeed; nor do I really think Stuart would saturate the sea anyway.

To: Government of Russia, Government of Azerbaijan
From: Government of Persia

Sirs,

Recent disaster relief efforts along the southeastern shores of Persia, following the Balochi earthquake, demonstrated the need and utility for light amphibious landing craft in disaster relief efforts. These vessels were indispensable in delivering relief workers, equipment, food, water, and medical supplies ashore, while evacuating casualties.

Given our long-standing agreement to minimize armaments on the Caspian Sea, Persia finds itself without such capability on its north coast. Should an earthquake strike along this region - something that scientists deem entirely possible - Persia would not be equipped to provide relief to its citizens.

Consequently, please be advised that Persia will constructing a total of 2 Landing Craft (Tank), 4 Landing Craft (Medium), and 8 Landing Craft (Vehicle/Personnel) at Bandar-e Anzali over the course of 1947. Other relief vessels of other types may follow in 1948. We trust that the nature and scale of the vessels in question will not seem unduly alarming or threatening, and invite representatives of your government to visit the vessels while under construction.

Sincerely,

Etc, etc.

To: Government of Persia
From: Russian Federation

Sirs,

We acknowledge your communication regarding the construction of landing craft for the purpose of disaster relief in the Caspian Sea region. The Russian Federation does not feel the proposed changes will cause any untoward upsets to the security of the Caspian Sea region. Likewise, the Russian Federation sincerely hopes the Persian people never have need of these disaster relief vessels.

Sincerely,
The Bear