6th-largest navy in 1989 They threatened Co
Post# of 127967

They threatened Coca-Cola with annihilation ????
it's true that PepsiCo briefly owned what could be considered the world's sixth-largest navy in 1989. This unusual situation arose from a barter deal with the Soviet Union, where Pepsi received a fleet of decommissioned warships, including submarines, a cruiser, a destroyer, and a frigate, in exchange for Pepsi concentrate.
Here's a more detailed explanation:
The Deal:
Due to the Soviet Union's shortage of foreign currency, they couldn't directly pay Pepsi for concentrate. They proposed a barter deal where Pepsi would receive ships and other assets in exchange for Pepsi products.
The Fleet:
The deal included 17 submarines, a cruiser, a destroyer, and a frigate, along with other assets like oil tankers.
Scrap Metal:
Pepsi had no intention of operating a navy. They quickly sold the ships to a Swedish scrap metal company.
Historical Context:
This deal highlights the unique economic and political landscape of the late Cold War era, where traditional trade routes and currency exchanges were sometimes bypassed.
Not a Military Power:
While Pepsi technically owned the fleet, it was not a military power in any real sense. The ships were old, decommissioned, and immediately sold for scrap.

