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

Chapter 442 The so-called European integration is nothing but a bunch of wrangling and bickering.

The capital of India.

"Gentlemen, regarding the project from last time, we already agreed on everything, so why hasn't the down payment been transferred yet?" Sergei Korotkov glanced at the Indian Air Force Commander, Apuiya Singh, with a serious expression on his face. "You're not trying to mess with our Mikoyan Design Bureau, are you?"

You know what the consequences are of mocking the powerful Soviet Union!

Upon hearing his words, Apuiya Singh quickly replied, "Mr. Sergei, please don't misunderstand. It's mainly because we repaid a large sum of money to the U.S. Air Force, so... we don't have enough funds domestically to support the development of our own fighter jets. Rest assured, as long as we raise the funds..."

"Really? I thought you guys went to participate in that brain-dead project of Dassault Systèmes!"

What?
The Russian intelligence system is incredibly pervasive; how could the cooperation between the Indians and the French possibly fool the Russians! Sergei Korotkov's words were merely a prelude to a full-blown confrontation; the Indians present all knew the truth, and their expressions grew increasingly grim.

How do you explain this?

"Dassault's project may be very advanced, but, gentlemen, I want to remind you that your Indian aviation industry is simply not capable of supporting the production of modern fighter jets. All the money you have invested in Dassault's project will eventually go down the drain! The French are just using your money to develop their project! You are a bunch of fools!"

Despite being harshly rebuked by Sergei Korotkov, the people present had no choice but to listen; when the Russians wanted to yell, they could only endure it.

“We have a project here that suits your Indian industrial base.” Sergei Korotkov, having vented his anger and felt better, then presented the design project.

On the projection screen, an airplane with a tailless delta wing layout appeared.

"What... there are no canards?"

"Canard control is non-linear, which means that if you want to install canards, you have to install digital fly-by-wire. Do you Indians have this technology? In the end, you still have to import it from abroad, don't you? Hardware is one thing, but the key is, what about the flight control program? It also has to be written by foreigners! Can this aircraft still be yours? If you want to upgrade or improve it, you have to ask foreigners for help!"

That...that seems to make sense.

"Come and take a look at the aircraft we designed. It is absolutely the most suitable for your Indian needs. The design is simple and can be operated with hydraulic control. The delta wing provides a good fuel capacity and ensures the range. Moreover, during our research, we will also develop multiple versions of this aircraft. We can also derive a carrier-based aircraft from this aircraft!"

Sergei Korotkov gave the crowd another disdainful look: "Gentlemen, your biggest problem is that you're all aiming too high. Instead of pursuing those unrealistic goals, you should honestly research a light aircraft that meets your actual needs! This aircraft can not only be used by you, but it can also be sold, serving as the best replacement for the MiG-21..."

Now, the Indians are truly tempted.

Their involvement in Dassault Systèmes' projects is mostly for their own use; they would never sell them.

Look to the north, how many countries have they sold their fighter jets to!
India wants to compete with the North in everything. Since the North can sell fighter jets, India can too!
"Mr. Sergei, please give us a detailed introduction!"

"Okay, this aircraft adopts a tailless delta wing layout, with the air intakes designed under the wings on both sides of the fuselage. This makes the nose landing gear more robust. The leading edge of the wing is equipped with three-section slats and two-section elevons, which can generate vortices, increase maneuverability, shorten takeoff and landing distances, and at the same time meet the needs of high-speed flight..."

"As for the nose radar, you are free to choose. For example, you can get advanced avionics from David. Although the aircraft was designed by us, you have autonomy... Including the engine, if you do not want to choose our RD33, we can also help you match it with European engines."

The Indians were even happier.

When it comes to developing the Rafale fighter jet with the French, India has no say whatsoever. The engines and avionics are all French-made, and even if the specifications are outdated, they still have to be French-made.

But now, when we discuss this with the Russians, they're surprisingly not forcing us to do it!

After all, the Russians are well aware that their avionics are indeed outdated. They still have to purchase advanced radar antennas and various chips from the East. India's light aircraft has limited space in the nose, and if they were to install the outdated Russian avionics, their performance would be greatly reduced.

When it comes to avionics, the Davids are quite good, with overall performance leading Europe, so it's the most suitable to switch to theirs. As for the engines... the Russians are just putting on a show.

"Then we want to use the F404 engine from General Electric in the United States!"

This……

The Russians were a little embarrassed, but... having India act as an intermediary, the Russians could still access advanced American engines, which wasn't necessarily a bad thing.

"sure, no problem!"

Apuija Singh was also very satisfied with the result.

"In that case, we will terminate our cooperation with France and devote ourselves wholeheartedly to jointly developing fighter jets with your side. We hope that with your technical support, our fighter jets can be developed as soon as possible!"

"Of course! Don't you trust the capabilities of our Mikoyan Design Bureau?"

Dassault Systèmes, France.

"Patrick, what did you say? The Indians want to withdraw their investment, why?" Sergiel Dassault's face was as ugly as could be. These damned Indians, they had already agreed on everything, and now they want to go back on their word?

"They said our Rafale fighter jets are not suitable for them, Indians."

"How could that be? Our Rafale fighter jets are the best choice for India! Damn it, why did they change their minds? Could it be..."

A sense of foreboding suddenly crept into Sergey Dassault's heart.

Ever since the Russians shot down an F-117, that advanced stealth aircraft has become a nightmare for all aircraft designers!
They can design excellent fighter jets, but they cannot achieve stealth while ensuring excellent aerodynamics. Dassault has no technological reserves to do this.

Even if someone suggested that the latest Rafale fighter jet could be designed with a stealth appearance, they quickly dismissed the idea, deeming it purely... unrealistic.

The Indians are known for their unrealistic ambitions. It seems the Mikoyan Design Bureau misled them with a stealth fighter. Intelligence indicates that the Mikoyan Design Bureau has a stealth fighter codenamed MiG-37, but... why would they share such a good thing with the Indians? The Russians have always exported inferior goods!

"The Indians didn't specify why it wasn't suitable, but we've monitored that they transferred $50 million to Moscow, which likely means they've officially started cooperation!"

If they knew that the Russians had fooled the Indians with an even more outdated fighter jet, I wonder what they would think. But for now...

"Stealth fighters are not something that one company can develop alone. The entire European aerospace industry should unite and, under the leadership of Dassault Aviation, jointly develop the most advanced technology!" Just then, a voice came from outside.

Marcel Dassault, born in 1892, is now a 90-year-old man. However, this old man has exemplified what it means to work until old age, to never stop striving.

To this day, he remains the head of Dassault Systèmes. It was only after his death that his son, Serge Dassault, in his sixties, finally took control of the company.

When Marcel Dassault saw the news about the F-117 released by the Russians, he knew that a new era had arrived!
Future fighter jets without stealth capabilities simply won't be able to operate freely!
The problem is that no European aerospace company has the technological reserves in this area! Not to mention that with the current capabilities of Europeans, they are already unable to independently develop fighter jets. Apart from France, other countries are all involved in collaborative projects!

The people at Dassault Systèmes were quite annoyed by this.

How could a European joint fighter jet project be complete without Dassault Aviation? Initially, when other countries joined, they didn't include France. Even after Dassault joined, the other countries still didn't support Dassault's leadership in the entire design, ultimately leading to a breakdown in negotiations. Now… with Dassault taking the lead in developing a European stealth fighter jet, Dassault will once again become the leader of the European aerospace industry!
Bringing India into the Rafale fighter jet project was just a spur-of-the-moment decision, and it doesn't matter now that India has withdrawn. What the French value most is still the European market!

"Understood, Father, I'll go prepare right away."

February 4, 1984, the third day of the first lunar month, the beginning of spring.

Europe, Grand Paris Hotel, conference room.

"Everyone, the main purpose of calling you all here today is to study our own European stealth fighter project." Marcel Dassault, with his full head of white hair, looked on with anticipation.

"We all know that the United States already has the F-117, and one of them was shot down by the Soviets. It won't be long before the Soviets also have their own stealth aircraft. We cannot underestimate the Soviets' ability to copy. This will put our situation in Europe in danger. In order to better protect our living space, I think we need to unite and develop a stealth fighter!"

The expressions of the people present varied.

The Eurofighter project started in 79, but due to various disputes, a contract wasn't signed until 83 to build the ACA demonstrator. According to the plan, BAE Systems' demonstrator would make its maiden flight in 85.

After withdrawing from the European Union fighter project, the French only announced the development of a successor to the Mirage 2000 in 1982, and began developing a technology demonstrator in April 1983. Their first flight was no earlier than that of British Aerospace.

Now, the French, those troublemakers, are up to their old tricks again. They probably think it's dishonorable for them to withdraw from the Eurofighter project, so they want to get revenge!
We can't fall for their tricks!
Then Cheney, the representative from British Aerospace, asked, "Mr. Marcel, do you have stealth aircraft technology?"

“Right now, none of the companies in Europe have stealth aircraft technology, right?” Marcel said. “That’s precisely why we need to work together to develop it!”

The MBB representatives present lowered their heads.

During World War II, Germany's aviation industry reached its peak, after all, Germany single-handedly challenged the whole of Europe!

A large number of advanced fighter jets flew in the sky, including Stukas diving and BF 109s fighting fiercely... and later even jet aircraft.

However, after World War II, Germany's aviation industry declined rapidly, and the famous Messerschmitt was banned from producing any aircraft for ten years. So their only option was to produce three-wheeled vehicles!

In 1968, Messerschmitt merged with the small civil engineering and aerospace company Burco to form Messerschmitt-Burco. The following year, it acquired the aviation division of Brom & Worth and renamed itself Messerschmitt-Burco-Blom, or MBB for short.

Although they returned to the aviation industry, their main product remained helicopters. After several rounds of integration, MBB eventually became part of the European Aeronautic Defence and Space Company.

It can be said that the German aviation industry was the weakest in this era, but... precisely because of this, the Germans were also full of energy.

When they saw Northwestern Polytechnical University collaborating with Lockheed Martin to research advanced stealth aircraft, they were intrigued. In 1981, the West German military authorized MBB to launch a stealth fighter research project, codenamed Firefly.

The Germans knew that if their secret research into stealth aircraft technology were to become known to the outside world, they would definitely be targeted, so the project remained classified.

Now that Europeans are going to jointly develop a stealth aircraft, will they... announce their research and development projects?

No, absolutely not! Keeping it a secret is the most important thing!

So they kept their mouths shut.

Marcel Dassault continued to speak at length.

“We in Europe can only become strong by uniting. The research and development costs for stealth aircraft are very high. If we unite, we can share the costs. At the same time, once we have developed it, various countries will place orders, which will increase production and reduce the research and development costs…”

"We know that completing the research and development will be difficult, but... we have no other choice! Gentlemen, now is the time to consider the unity of Europe!"

“Mr. Marcel, joint research and development is fine. We can share the research and development projects and produce the relevant subsystems according to our respective R&D investment,” Cheney said. “It’s impossible to use everything from France.”

"This aircraft was spearheaded by Dassault Systèmes, so of course it has to use our French systems. Our French avionics are among the most advanced in Europe, and our French engines are also among the most advanced in Europe..."

"What advanced technology? Your M88 is nothing more than a copy of the F404. Its performance can't even compare to our RB199, let alone the EJ200 that we are currently developing!"

Britain is having a tough time, and in joint aircraft development projects, they naturally want to fight for their own interests. Not to mention, Rolls-Royce is a world-class giant in engines!

What does Snecma have? The Phantom 2000 still uses a single-rotor engine!

"No, no, our M88 is the best mid-range rocket engine in the world!"

The German looked up, his gaze complex. Just as he'd expected, the meeting was headed for arguments! Unity, indeed! How could they possibly cooperate? With the French's selfish, arrogant, and self-centered nature, cooperation was impossible!
"Gentlemen, there's no point in discussing these things now. Engines and avionics are secondary. The most important thing in developing a stealth aircraft is its stealth shape. In this respect, the East has the highest level of technology. So, should we consider asking the East for help?" the Italian said.

Of the three European powers, Britain, France, and Germany, Italy has always been a bystander. However, this does not mean they have no voice. When these giants are vying for influence, the advice of the Italians becomes very important.

Upon hearing this, Marcel Dassault immediately became furious: "Easterners? What do Easterners have? They have only just begun to develop industry. Thirty years ago, they were still an agricultural country!"

"Their fighter jets have defeated Mirage 4000s."

"Damn it, that didn't count as a direct defeat, that was a sneak attack, a sneak attack, that doesn't count!"

"Their fighter jets have sunk..."

The Italian glanced at the British man and fell silent; it was inappropriate to rub salt in someone's wounds like that.

The British man paused for a moment before speaking, “If we really want to research stealth aircraft, cooperating with the East is the best way. We can ask them to solve our shortcomings in stealth. Lockheed lost the bid for the US fourth-generation fighter jet this time. The project was developed with the help of the East, so we can take over their project from them.”

"Cheney, what were you thinking, bidding on a project you lost the bid for? Disgraceful! You've completely disgraced Europe!"

"The reason we failed to win the bid wasn't because our technology was lacking, but because Lockheed was collaborating with the East! Their project is actually the most suitable for us. We should go to the East and take a look. Of course, if you're not willing, then forget it. Even without France, we can still develop it in our other countries!"

“Without France, is it still a European joint fighter jet project?” Marcel Dassault was also anxious.

"Of course, Europe isn't just a place where France has the final say."

"Jürgen, tell me, what are your thoughts in Germany?"

Having been called out, Jürgen, who was burying his head in the sand, could only raise his head: "I think we can try it with the Easterners, after all... the Easterners are indeed very strong in stealth technology."

"Hmph, you really disappoint me. Your German fighter planes were so powerful back then, but look at them now! You're a bunch of spineless cowards!"

(End of this chapter)