Chapter 47: Arms Race

The navy's shipbuilding plan was vetoed by Franz, but the naval budget for 1851 was increased by over one million shied again, soaring to 12.681 million shied.

The Austrian Government's attitude towards the navy is visible, but no matter how much importance they attached to it, it couldn't change the fundamental nature of Austria as a land power.

In 1851, army expenses escalated even more quickly, to 61.2462 million shied, and the large reserve strategy was officially launched. According to the plan, from now on, the reserves will increase by 200,000 every year.

The total military budget of the Austrian Empire in 1851 rose by nearly twenty percent compared to 1850, signaling the approaching steps of war.

How could the actions of their neighbor Russia possibly be concealed from the Austrian Government? Not long ago, Nicholas I even levied a war tax under the pretext of expanding into distant territories.