Chapter 912 Not All Orders Can Be Accepted

The two J-10E flight performances were arranged in the afternoon of the second day of the professional day and the first day of the public day respectively.

It’s also a good time period.

As the first overseas display of a domestically produced third-generation aircraft, the media naturally spared no space and conducted an overwhelming publicity campaign.

Of course, in the core military fan circle, rumors about "the J-10 is likely to have another upgraded model" have long been circulated. Many people are basically sure that the Chinese Air Force will be equipped with another similar overall design. But the slightly larger model trades part of its agility and high-speed performance for greater multi-purpose potential.

However, after all, most people who eat melons may not even be able to distinguish between F15 and Su-27, let alone pay attention to such minutiae.

As long as they can see their own models competing with foreign fighter jets on TV, and they don't look inferior at all, that's enough.

Especially the photo that Guo Ruiqing happened to take before the opening of the air show was quoted in almost all news——

Four canard layout fighter jets are parked together in a head-to-head posture. Compared with the conventional layout models around them, after a little color adjustment, it can really make people feel a bit sci-fi.

In order to attract attention, some media even gave this photo the title "The First Year of the Duck Wing".

Although Chang Haonan seems to be a bit rubbish, this word formation method seems to be really popular.

Over time, several foreign media even adopted this statement.

"This exhibition, at least from a publicity level, has quite a good effect,"

In the office of the director of the Commission of Science, Technology and Industry for National Defense, Li Zhongyi put several newspapers in different languages ​​on Ding Gaoheng's desk, and then sat on the sofa next to Chang Haonan:

"According to the situation reported by the Aviation Technology Group, two countries also expressed their intention to place orders with us. Unfortunately, the transaction was not actually completed."

While listening to Li Zhongyi's report, Ding Gaoheng sat up straight, opened one of the newspapers and read the contents.

He can directly understand English and Russian. As for other languages, Li Zhongyi has found a translator to mark the general meaning in the margins of the page.

"It doesn't matter."

After Li Zhongyi finished speaking, Ding Gaoheng replied in a relaxed tone:

"In the past, people who came to our country to buy equipment... actually it wasn't just equipment. They came to our country to buy any products, either because they were cheap and large in quantity, or because they were politically desperate and couldn't find other sellers. It was always the same. A forced behavior.”

"But in the future, more and more countries will definitely choose us because of the performance of our products or the good relationship with our country."

"But changing attitudes is difficult and takes time."

Having said this, the latter paused for a moment, replaced the newspaper in his hand with another, and then continued:

"Another point is that military equipment procurement is a relatively sensitive and special business, and aircraft are highly customized products, so orders are rarely finalized on the spot at the exhibition."

"Those who signed the air show actually started the negotiations many years ago. They just found a commemorative or promotional occasion to announce it. This may be somewhat different from the industry you were engaged in before, Comrade Zhongyi. ”

After all, Li Zhongyi had just been transferred to the Science and Technology Commission from the petrochemical industry system, so it was normal for him to not know much about the details of some military fields.

"Speaking of intended orders."

Chang Haonan saw that Li Zhongyi next to him looked a little embarrassed, so he changed the topic appropriately:

"Although our aviation power group did not bring any physical exhibits to participate this time, we almost got an order."

"oh?"

Ding Gaoheng put down the newspaper and looked up at Chang Haonan with curious eyes:

"Is there still this matter?"

After the conglomerate restructuring of the military industry system, overall operational autonomy has been decentralized.

Therefore, unless there is an order with a particularly huge impact, ordinary bits and pieces, as well as those that are just intentional contacts, will not be fed back to Ding Gaoheng's level.

"I just saw the report this morning."

Chang Haonan explained:

“On the second day of the professional day of the air show, Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) submitted a letter of inquiry to Snecma, stating that they were selecting power for the mass-produced version of the LCA fighter jet, and asked the French if they had plans to export the M88. Subsequent models.”

"Because according to the previous contract, if M88 is exported, it needs to be approved by us and Snecma at the same time, so this matter came to me in a roundabout way."

By the time he said it at the end, there was clearly a smile in his tone.

After all, as a reborn person, it’s really hard not to laugh when mentioning LCA’s “Glory”.

Unlike now, LCA has not yet revealed its many amazing features, and it also achieved its first flight not long ago. In everyone's eyes, it seems to be a promising model——

The J-10 took almost twelve or three years from project establishment to first flight. As an attempt by a developing country to start from scratch, LCA’s first flight in 2017 is not an exaggeration.

In the eyes of China at this time, it is considered a strong opponent.

Therefore, Ding Gaoheng's attitude is quite serious:

"So...what's your attitude?"

"I haven't replied yet, but I should refuse..."

"really."

Ding Gaoheng nodded with satisfaction:

"After all, they are our strategic rivals, and we cannot do this kind of thing to help the other side build its core military strength."

"..."

Chang Haonan said in his heart that if the Indian Air Force can really regard LCA as its core combat force, then I will sign and approve it as soon as I return, the sooner the better.

Of course, this cannot be said directly.

"Ahem..."

He cleared his throat and spoke again:

"Actually, I don't have much confidence in Stan Airlines. If accidents occur continuously after replacing the new engine, or the project progress is seriously delayed, wouldn't it damage our own brand..."

In fact, Chang Haonan insisted on signing a joint research and development contract with Snecma, and gave up a large advance payment for this purpose. He indeed had the intention to contain India in the future.

But what he was thinking about at that time was to strangle the possibility of Rafale being exported to South Asia in the future.

The conscience of heaven and earth never expected that LCA would intervene in such a thing.

"Then...it shouldn't be a problem, right?"

Ding Gaoheng felt that Chang Haonan's worries were a bit exaggerated:

"Generally speaking, if there is no problem with the engine itself... the project should still be guaranteed."

The latter can't explain this kind of thing at all.

If you have never seen the magic of HAL, it is really hard to believe that there is such an incredible aviation manufacturing company.

So I had to change my words:

"And another point is that LCA has now chosen the F404 as the power for the first flight. There is no need to change the model at all. The performance of the M88-2 currently does not meet the requirements for a single engine to propel a medium-sized aircraft. I think it is very Maybe it’s just using M88 as a bargaining chip to lower the price from General Electric.”

"This is a very common operation. I think Comrade Haonan's concerns are reasonable."

Li Zhongyi, who had been silent just now, also intervened:

"The bidding process itself will actually involve a lot of costs. If it is very certain that it is used as a bargaining chip and there is no possibility of winning the bid, there is really no need to accompany it unless there are additional publicity considerations."

"..."

…

The air show-related topics quickly came to an end.

Ding Gaoheng specially brought Chang Haonan here today, naturally not just to talk about such a trivial matter as the Paris Air Show.

Of course, strictly speaking, it was Li Zhongyi who really wanted to interview Chang Haonan.

"Comrade Haonan."

The latter took out a portfolio from the briefcase beside him and handed it to Chang Haonan:

"At the beginning of the month, a Norwegian company submitted an order to build eight LNG ships to Hudong Shipyard."

"What the Hudong factory means is that there should be no major problems with the ship itself, but the order specifically emphasizes the installation of the evaporative gas re-liquefaction system patented by your Torch Group, so whether this contract can be signed and how it should be signed, I also want to ask for your opinion.”

"Originally, they were planning to contact you directly, but they couldn't contact you some time ago, so they reported it through the Shipbuilding Industry Group, and finally they reached me."

Logically speaking, if the senior managers of an enterprise like Aerospace Power Group lose contact for a long time, it can be treated as an accident.

However, after all, Chang Haonan has been on the front line of scientific research for a long time, and his situation is really special, so he usually won't make a fuss because he can't be found.

"The problem is definitely nothing. Our BOG reliquefaction system is fully adapted to the Gas-Transport cargo tank technology route of the Hudong plant. If combined with a natural gas-powered diesel engine, it can almost guarantee zero loss during transportation..."

While talking, Chang Haonan opened the seal and took out several thick multi-lingual materials:

"But our LNG ship... we haven't even built the first one for domestic trials. Does anyone really dare to place an order for 8 ships at once?"

As of 2001, most existing orders for LNG ships are still in the hands of Japanese shipyards.

The new growth is mainly in South Korea.

As for Huaxia, it is not convincing in the field of high-end ships.

You know, the price of each large LNG ship of 135,000 cubic meters is basically more than 150 million US dollars.

Due to the large weight and volume of the Gas-Transport cargo tank, the construction cost is even higher, and the quoted price is generally US$170-180 million.

8 ships, that’s 1.4 billion US dollars.

Nearly 12 billion yuan...

Even domestic companies would not dare to place this kind of order——

Huaxia Petrochemical has only signed a contract for two ships, and it is required to start construction on one of them first, and then decide on the second ship after passing acceptance.

A foreign company, why?

"That's why the Hudong factory was very cautious. They were worried about whether there might be any traps here."

Li Zhongyi explained:

"However, we have also looked at it with some experts in international commercial law. Apart from the slightly lower proportion of advance payment, there seems to be no other problems."

With curiosity, Chang Haonan opened the document with a Chinese cover.

"We are new to the game and have insufficient bargaining power. With an advance payment of 10%, there is really nothing to complain about."

"If you are sure there is no problem..."

He originally wanted to say that if there was no problem, he would boldly take the order.

But at this moment, he suddenly caught a glimpse of the equity structure of Party B's company during background research.

It is a Norwegian Zall company, holding 70% of the shares.

The other 30% is miscellaneous, with ingredients from all over the place.

“Wait…”

Chang Haonan suddenly changed the subject:

“Please ask Director Li to emphasize to the Hudong Factory that no decision should be made on this order for the time being…”