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

Chapter 59 A Big Deal Worth Over One Hundred Million Dollars!

Beside him, Factory Director Hou lowered his head; his task was complete.

This is incredibly busy! We received the news late last night, and everyone got up and worked through the night to build a prototype. The fuselage was made from existing parts, the nose and air intake were modified from wood, and the wings were modified before the double delta wing experiment.

When the Egyptians "accidentally" saw the plane, it had only just been modified!

This whole operation was something that no one could come up with, no matter how hard they tried. We really had to rely on the young people!

Recalling the Egyptians' surprise when they saw the plane, Director Hou knew that the Egyptians had their eye on it and would definitely buy it. Factory 132 would also pave a smooth road for arms sales!

Look at the Egyptians now, their faces are full of emotion.

Upon seeing the plane, they knew they had witnessed the Eastern Air Force's top secrets! Every country's military has its own secrets, many of which are absolutely never revealed. For someone to be sharing these secrets with them now... that's definitely the mark of a good friend!

Old Tu stood up: "Alright, since the Air Force has spoken, I won't hold back anymore. Everyone, please look at the projection screen!"

The slides were just drawn up, since there are no detailed design drawings yet. We can only make a few simple slides based on the design we used during the bidding process.

"Let's start by looking at the nose. The size of our nose can accommodate a radar antenna with a diameter of about 700 millimeters, giving the fighter jet beyond-visual-range air combat capability. This is a necessary performance feature for modern fighter jets. The two side air intakes are the best air intake layout we have determined after some research..."

The Egyptians stared wide-eyed at the design drawings. Who could have imagined that the MiG-21 could be modified like this? They wouldn't even recognize it!

"The double delta wing is also our original creation... After these improvements, we can bring this fighter jet to 80% of the performance of the F-16..."

"Excellent, excellent, this is perfect! This is exactly the kind of aircraft we want!" Shafik nodded in satisfaction. It possesses both the advanced features of Western fighter jets and the ease of maintenance of Soviet-made aircraft, making it the best choice for Egypt!

This is a priceless treasure from the East!
"Leader Lin, our Egyptian friends have taken a liking to this fighter jet and hope to purchase it... This aircraft was specifically developed for the Air Force, so whether it can be sold or not is up to the Air Force to decide..." Old Tu looked at Old Lin.

“We in the East and Egypt have a great friendship. Since they have taken a liking to it, our air force will make an exception and allow the export of this fighter jet!” Old Lin nodded.

“Thank you very much, friends from the East!” Shafik said gratefully. “We need at least forty of these aircraft. Please name your price, and we hope to receive them as soon as possible…”

"I'm very sorry, the development of this fighter jet has only just begun." Old Tu looked embarrassed. "According to our development schedule, this aircraft will make its maiden flight within three years, so..."

Research and development has only just begun!
"How could that be? We clearly saw it at the factory..."

“That’s a wooden model,” Tu Lao said. “As you all know, during the wind tunnel testing phase of the new machine, a full-size prototype will be manufactured. We’re currently at this stage. If we can start production, you’ll be able to see it in the factory.”

The Egyptian friends have their eyes on the new aircraft! However... it's only just begun development, so they can't buy it even if they want to; they'll have to wait three years! But, due to the Soviet Union cutting off the supply of spare parts, the Egyptian Air Force certainly can't wait three years to buy it!

So... as a transitional measure... the J-7 came in handy!
Disappointment lingered in the eyes of the Egyptians, but... if this aircraft were successfully developed, the workshops wouldn't be producing the outdated J-7 fighters anymore, but rather this improved version. So, the other party probably wasn't lying. Shafik took a deep breath: "In that case, we'll have to wait three more years! But... our air force can't wait!"

"If you have an urgent need, you can purchase a batch of J-7s as a temporary measure." Qin Liang added the most crucial point: "Three years is only for the first flight; there will be a lot of test flights afterward. It might be five or six years before it goes into production. In these few years, your air force can maintain its combat capability with the J-7s, while also gaining experience in operating our Eastern fighter jets. This way, when the new J-7s come out, you can directly replace them..."

Many people's hearts started racing; the most crucial moment had finally arrived!

What if the Egyptians turn around and leave? If they do, all our efforts will have been for nothing!
The meeting room fell silent again, and every second seemed to drag on forever!

"I hope you can provide us with a J-7 fighter jet so we can test fly it," Shafik said.

"Okay, no problem!" Old Lin nodded. "I'll make a call right now and coordinate a plane from the nearby air force base. It's almost time, let's go have lunch, and then this afternoon, when the plane arrives, you can give it a try!"

In recent years, the production of J-7 fighters has been low, with an annual output of only twenty or thirty aircraft and a monthly output of single digits. Aircraft are not rolling off the production line at all times. Fortunately, there is an air force base nearby.

Old Lin accompanied Shafik to dinner, while Qin Liang followed behind the crowd. This matter was pretty much settled, and it was time for him to go back. However, with so many books on his hands, it was inconvenient for him to travel. Should he hitch a ride on Old Lin's plane?

Just then, a message came through: "Qin Liang, you have made a great contribution to CATIC this time!"

Qin Liang looked up: "Manager Liu, the Egyptian hasn't agreed yet."

"Well, since they've requested a test flight, it means they've already accepted that CATIC is about to achieve a breakthrough."

Qin Liang shook his head: "It won't be that easy. We'll face many setbacks. Of course, we need to be prepared. By the way, will the foreign affairs department help CATIC?"

What help are you offering? It's good enough if you don't cause them any trouble!
Seeing Manager Liu's expression, Qin Liang said, "Then we need to prepare in advance; there are still many things waiting for us..."

In the afternoon, an Air Force J-2 fighter jet landed, and several Egyptian officers took turns going up to experience it. Even Shafiq flew it once. Afterwards, he was very satisfied with the aircraft.

"Excellent, excellent! We can purchase a batch of J-7 fighter jets first! At least forty! We'll submit a procurement report to our superiors after we get back!"

Three million dollars per aircraft, forty aircraft would be 120 million dollars! Add in the backup engines, and that's another 10-20 million dollars! This is a huge business!

Everyone was overjoyed, and they even ordered two more dishes for dinner! After they had eaten and drunk their fill and saw off Shafik and his group, Old Lin and his companions prepared to head home.

"Old Lin, will you be passing through Chang'an on your way back?" Qin Liang asked expectantly.

"You have to pass by, whether you like it or not! I heard you brought back a lot of books from your trip..."

(End of this chapter)