Back in 1978, I was admitted to Northwestern Polytechnical University.

Chapter 260 A Big Client with a Cloth on His Head Has Arrived!

Back in the car, Mr. Lin was beaming with excitement.

"Those Americans think their technology is advanced? Humph, it's nothing special! Seeing Chirac's reaction today was truly satisfying and exhilarating!"

"Mr. Lin, could you... take me home?"

"Well, of course, no problem. But aren't you worried that the way you reek of alcohol will leave a bad impression on your mother-in-law?"

Qin Liang was taken aback.

"Let's go, stay at the guesthouse in our airport terminal for the night, go to the department store tomorrow to buy some New Year's goods, and then go back. Wouldn't that take care of both appearance and substance?"

"Alright." Qin Liang knew that Old Lin was right; it wouldn't be good for him to go back reeking of alcohol.

Just then, brilliant fireworks appeared outside the car window.

Another year has passed!

The next day, Qin Liang was still half asleep when he was woken up by a knock on the door.

"Ryoko, Ryoko!"

"Hey, what's up?" Qin Liang groggily opened the door and saw someone standing there...

"Manager Liu?"

"Okay, let's go, come with me to CATIC!"

"Is there going to be another fight? Manager Liu, you guys should learn from this. You can't always make me clean up your messes."

"Of course not," Manager Liu said. "A big deal has come in, and we... we're worried about things going wrong, so we're planning to ask you to come along."

"A big deal? Which client?"

"Kotau, Prince Fahd."

"Eighth Prince? Okay, wait for me, I'll go right away."

Now it was Manager Liu's turn to be curious. He originally thought it would take a lot of talking, since the New Year was just around the corner and Qin Liang had been busy ever since he last brought his mother-in-law to Dongfang. He hadn't even seen her a second time yet.

He had prepared many arguments, but unexpectedly... he didn't need to use anything?

"Liangzi, you..."

Qin Liang had already stepped into the restroom.

If it were anyone else, Qin Liang would certainly have to think it over, but the Eighth Prince, no question about it!
The East and Koh Turk established diplomatic relations in 1971. Prince Fahd played a significant role in this process. Subsequently, in exchanges between the two sides, this plump prince, who wore gold-rimmed glasses, demonstrated his friendliness towards the East.

He invited people from the East to participate in construction, medical care, and education in Ketu. He also strongly supported the East in hosting the 11th Asian Games. In his short life, he won the respect of the people of the East and was affectionately called the Eighth Prince by them.

That's right, it was short-lived. In 90, when Shadak saw that he couldn't pay off his debts, he simply killed his creditors and launched a surprise attack on Kotuo. The king fled, the ministers fled, almost everyone fled. Only the Eighth Prince, with his two sons, held the palace and fought to the death!

Such a person deserves our respect!
A few minutes later, Qin Liang got into the car and headed to AVIC.

Inside the meeting room sat a group of people dressed in long robes and wearing white headscarves. The two ends of the headscarves were fixed at the shoulders and tied on top of the head, making it look like a balance scale.

The leader had a slightly chubby face, wore gold-rimmed glasses, and had a mustache, just like the one in my past life.

"Ladies and gentlemen, this is Qin Liang from Northwestern Polytechnical University. Ever since our CATIC was established and we signed our first contract with ETA, he has been helping with military sales. The Air Force also values ​​him highly. Just yesterday, he attended a meeting with William Perry with the Air Force and spoke as the key figure at the meeting..."

Manager Liu first had to introduce Qin Liang to these people so they would know that although Qin Liang looked young, he was actually a very capable person, lest they think he was just fooling them.

“Yes, we’ve heard about it.” Prince Fahd smiled. “Then let’s officially begin the meeting. We heard that at yesterday’s meeting, you mentioned having an export-oriented early warning aircraft?”

"Yes." Qin Liang nodded: "This early warning aircraft is a joint development project of Northwestern Polytechnical University, Xi'an Aircraft Industry Group, and some other sister units. Although it is currently in the project demonstration stage, we are confident that we can develop this export-oriented early warning aircraft within three years!"

Qin Liang walked to the blackboard and quickly started drawing on it. It seemed that he still needed to prepare the slides in advance and put them at AVIC, so as not to have to give a long introduction every time.

"We currently plan to use the Y-8 as the airframe platform. Of course, we can also consider the customer's needs. For example, if the customer has a C-130 transport aircraft, they can also use that transport aircraft as the airframe platform for modification..."

As a country that is close to the West, Vietnam naturally has a lot of Western equipment, including the C-130, a versatile transport aircraft.

"A large plate with a diameter of 8.5 meters is installed on top, and a flat panel slotted radar antenna is installed inside..."

Qin Liang gave a presentation that lasted about half an hour, much more detailed than the one he gave the Americans yesterday. The visitors from the caucus kept asking questions along the way, and finally, the other party nodded in satisfaction.

"Then, can we see the actual product? If we can... we'll place an order for ten early warning aircraft!"

Ten!

Qin Liang was stunned. His mind didn't process it for a moment. He felt like a pie had fallen from the sky—no, a discus had fallen and hit him on the head.

Even if a single aircraft only sells for $300 million, that's still a $3 billion business.

calm down!
We are reborn, we are people who have seen the world!
Qin Liang took a deep breath: "What do you mean by asking to see the actual product? If it's about airborne radar, our export fighter jets are all equipped with flat panel slotted radar antennas."

“Mr. Qin, are we... friends?” Prince Fahd asked.

Upon hearing this question, Qin Liang suddenly realized: "Of course they are friends. Let us give the Air Force a heads-up. If they agree, we'll take you to see our self-use early warning aircraft!"

The battle on the plateau demonstrated our strength and also certainly made people speculate about the existence of Eastern early warning aircraft. The Americans didn't say anything because they were afraid of losing face, while Prince Fahd is our friend!
The early warning aircraft is something that, if it's not powered on or working, and we just observe it, it won't leak secrets. It will also show the Kotuo people our sincerity. In particular, we need to help the Eighth Prince, our good friend from the East, to do some work with the Air Force!
and many more!

With this frank and open discussion, Qin Liang's mind became crystal clear. At that moment, four words echoed in his mind: peace and the sun.

When Lang Tuo purchased Tomcat fighter jets from the United States and completely drove out the MiG-25s, the Saudis across the bay also felt threatened. They looked at their own second-generation fighter jets and thought, "No, we have to buy them too!"
After comparing various options, they decided to purchase the F-15. After all, there are only a few types of third-generation fighter jets, and they couldn't have the same type as the Lang Tuo. The F-15 was practically Sha's only choice.

However... their purchases aroused strong dissatisfaction from Saudi Arabia. After all, Saudi Arabia is too close to Saudi Arabia, and there have been many wars between them in history. Saudi Arabia simply does not want Saudi Arabia to be equipped with the powerful F-15. There can only be one little tyrant in the Middle East!
However, now the Americans are their fathers, not their sons as in later generations, so even though they tried every means to obstruct them, Sha's purchase was still completed.

The U.S. Congress approved a contract to export sixty F-15s, codenamed Peace Sun.

Just from the name, you can tell what the Americans are thinking when they sell arms.

According to the contract, the Saudi Air Force is now receiving its first batch of F-15 fighter jets, and has even conducted training in advance. After all, they will be able to achieve initial operational capability in August 1981.

Mr. Sha was full of praise for this aircraft! So he asked again to purchase a second batch.

Unfortunately, the Americans absolutely refused to sell.

So, in the mid-1980s, a furious Shah turned to Europe and purchased a large number of Tornado fighter-bombers. He was so confident that he was the richest man in the world and didn't have to worry about not being able to buy fighter jets!
That's just on the surface. In reality, besides the F-15, Shah is also painstakingly trying to purchase the E-3A early warning aircraft. After all, the Tomcat's radar can be used as an early warning aircraft, but the F-15's is really not up to par!
It's easy to imagine that the squid company would definitely obstruct them from making the purchase.

This must be the most frustrating time for Sha. They can buy Tornado fighter jets, but for early warning aircraft... Europe doesn't have any either. The British have been working on the Nimrod early warning aircraft for years, but it was eventually canceled. Apart from the E-3, there is no other option!
We can't exactly buy Russian goods, can we?
Now, when they hear that the East has an early warning aircraft, they're all excited... cough cough, but they can't come over because the two countries don't have diplomatic relations! Historically, diplomatic relations were only established 90 years ago, so when Sha came to buy the rocket, he had to sneak around.

Sha couldn't come, but they had good brothers. Looking across the Middle East, their closest ally was Kotto next door, so they asked them to come and help make the arrangements!

Having thought it through, Qin Liang had figured out the whole story. Since that's how it is, he certainly couldn't let this opportunity pass him by. He had to make this deal happen!

Besides, what's the use of just early warning aircraft? We also need fighter jets!
"Everyone, please wait a moment. I'll call the Air Force right now to coordinate the observation of the early warning aircraft for you."

Hearing Qin Liang say this, everyone present was stunned. This young man really doesn't hesitate and does what he says. Such a personality... not bad, I, Sha, like it!

Qin Liang went outside, walked next door, and picked up the phone. "Hello, I'm looking for Old Lin."

"Well, you've never called me before. What's up?... What? Impossible, absolutely impossible!"

Qin Liang knew that Elder Lin wouldn't agree so easily, but Qin Liang also had a trump card.

"They want to order ten, at 300 million each, that's 3 billion US dollars! Mr. Lin, you'd better think this through, that's 3 billion! With this money, we'll only charge the cost price for the Air Force's four early warning aircraft!"

"Liangzi, what you're saying is really hurtful. Is this about cost price?"

This is a problem because the Air Force never intended to spend the money!
"We can't control the price of the aircraft and the cost of modification, but we will provide the radar and electronic equipment for the early warning aircraft free of charge, as long as they are produced by Northwestern Polytechnical University! Professor Lin, this is the bottom line. If it works out, great; if not, so be it. At worst, we can let them come to Northwestern Polytechnical University to see the semi-finished products."

"Okay, deal!"

The most expensive parts of an early warning aircraft are its radar and electronic equipment; the airframe platform itself isn't that expensive. Besides, the aircraft factories in Shanghai supply the Air Force with planes at cost price, since the Y-10 was a last-minute emergency measure for the Air Force.

There's nothing money can't solve; if there is, just use more money!
"Then arrange a flight route for us, and we'll depart in half an hour."

"So fast?"

"Of course, we must show the Eighth Prince our sincerity."

"Okay. I'll inform them and get things ready. But you also need to be prepared: what if the customer looks at our plane but ultimately doesn't buy it..."

"If the customer doesn't buy, you can shoot me!"

Qin Liang returned to the conference room and looked at everyone: "Everyone, the Air Force has agreed to help coordinate the flight path. In half an hour, we'll go to the Flight Test Institute to see the Air Force's own early warning aircraft. However... this aircraft is a highly classified project, so you can only look at it, not touch it, and definitely not take pictures..."

“We understand!” Prince Fahad nodded. “Let’s go!”

They're already being very generous by showing us classified equipment; we can't ask for too much. Their goal is simply to confirm that the East has early warning aircraft technology!
A model of this cannot be made in a short time. Once it is displayed, it must be real. Moreover, Qin Liang's decisive and efficient coordination shows that Easterners are sincere.

Since Easterners are so sincere, shouldn't we... also be more sincere?
Let's wait until we see the early warning aircraft!
Half an hour later, the Kotuo private jet took off from the capital and headed to the Flight Test Institute. It was already afternoon when it arrived, so they had lunch on the plane. It can only be said that Kotuo is really rich. The interior of the plane was decorated with gold everywhere, and the plates and spoons served were also gold. Qin Liang really wanted to steal them several times.

Flight Test Center.

As the private jet slowly taxied onto the tarmac, everyone immediately spotted a large machine in the hangar in the distance.

A hangar is a completely enclosed space; once the doors are closed, no one knows what's inside.

A hangar is a shelter built to protect airplanes from sun and rain. It is open to the elements on all sides and is mainly used to protect them from satellite photography from overhead.

The aircraft has a layout with four engines mounted under the wings, and a large, conspicuous disc on the top of the fuselage.

It really is an early warning aircraft, and one that has been test-flown countless times!

Everyone was excited and strode over.

Engineer Wang stood there, looking helpless: "Comrade Qin Liang, what are you doing? We're already too busy with test flights, and you actually want to bring guests to visit?"

"Engineer Wang, a major client, wants to buy our export-type early warning aircraft. With their money, we can develop even better early warning aircraft," Qin Liang said in a low voice.

"Ok."

Seeing the displeased look on the other side, Prince Fahd's expression was complicated. He didn't ask, but he could guess what was going on. Someone must be unwilling to show off this early warning aircraft, and Qin Liang was under a lot of pressure. Hmm, this young man is a good friend. We will definitely not treat our friends unfairly!

"Come on, everyone, we can enter the interior of the early warning aircraft from here."

Qin Liang was about to call everyone to board the plane when someone looked toward the engine.

"This early warning aircraft was modified from a passenger plane, and its engine..."

"This engine is of course an enhanced version. It's a specially developed enhanced engine for early warning aircraft. It can completely offset the increase in drag. Moreover, the power generation capacity and heat dissipation capacity must also be strengthened. You can see that there are auxiliary air intakes on the top of the aircraft."

Details determine success or failure; whether it's an act or genuine, the details will make it crystal clear.

Everyone nodded.

"Let's go up."

Inside, it was clean and tidy, and the control panel was spotless. The guest from Ketuo carefully lowered his head and looked at the keyboard and mouse.

When he saw that the keyboard was shiny from being worn by fingers and that the mouse also showed signs of wear, he nodded in satisfaction. Yes, it must have been used repeatedly, not brand new.

It seems that this guy named Khalifa must be in charge of the technical work.

"Excellent, excellent. We've been on the E-3 early warning aircraft before, and the internal environment here is much better!"

"I never expected the East to have such advanced aircraft. We'll place an order as soon as we get back! Hey, what's this?"

"The big guys will come down from another hatch and pass through the equipment bay," Khalifa said, pointing to the equipment.

"Of course, it's electronic equipment. This is a computer, and that's a data link. As for the specific performance, we will only tell you after you sign the contract and pay the deposit. Now, it's time for the tour, let's go down."

"Data link? Is this data link compatible with our existing fighter jets?"

"Do you currently have fighter jets? Are they using NATO standard data links?"

"Yes."

"Do you think NATO will introduce their standards to us?"

The so-called data link is both mysterious and simple; it's just a means of radio communication. As long as a communication standard is established, interaction is possible. However, it's obvious that the East can't possibly obtain the West's data link.

The East is not part of the Western camp! The West tried to win them over, like yesterday, but they failed.

"Even if we buy back the early warning aircraft, we still won't be able to effectively command our fighter jets? The difference between voice guidance and data link guidance is too great!"

"Yes," Qin Liang nodded, "there are solutions."

"any solution?"

"First, you can hand over your fighter jets to us for modification, and completely replace them with our Eastern avionics. This will naturally solve the problem."

"No, our planes, I'm afraid..."

It can't be changed; the Americans won't agree.

"If that doesn't work, then we'll have to try another method."

"any solution?"

"You should purchase a batch of our fighter jets and take them back with you. Our Eastern early warning aircraft, paired with Eastern data links, is perfect!"

Selling early warning aircraft is just the beginning! Once customers accept our early warning aircraft, they will also have to accept our Eastern system!
　PS: This refers to Sha's first batch of F-15 fighter jets and pilots.

　　
　
(End of this chapter)