Chapter 452 This is not a coincidence

FN did have the idea of ​​improving the "Chauchat" to compete with the "Saint-Etienne 2" machine gun.

Because Boyata thought again and again, he thought that the only light machine gun that Charles might conflict with FN in the future was light machine guns.

In terms of rifles, Belgium has always been equipped with the German "Mauser", while Charles's arsenal produces "Lebel".

There is no conflict between the two, especially the "Mauser" is better than the "Lebel", and the Belgian army is unlikely to change.

The pistol is Browning, which is also more advanced than the French revolver.

Neither of them needs to worry about being replaced by Charles' arsenal, at least for now.

However, other things such as machine guns, artillery, tanks, armored vehicles, etc. are likely to be controlled by Charles and he can't squeeze in even if he tries his best!

No, it can't be like this!

So Boyata introduced the "Chauchat" machine gun, which was considered a failure and facing elimination, from France, hoping to improve it and then compete with Charles.

One of the reasons Boyata was so confident was that FN had a firearms designer named Browning, who was known as a genius.

This was a competition between two geniuses, Boyata thought, how could he know who would win or lose without trying?

"Let's be frank." Albert I put down his coffee cup and looked at Boyata expressionlessly: "If it were normal times, I would definitely support your competition, because competition can bring progress. But now it's wartime, Mr. Boyata, our troops are waiting for the weapons from the arsenal to go to the battlefield. I hope you can cooperate with Charles."

"Cooperation?" Boyata was stunned: "Your Majesty, what level of cooperation do you want me to reach with Charles?"

"Charles plans to produce machine guns in Belgium." Albert I said: "But unfortunately, even if we fully support it, from site selection to factory construction to production line construction, in the end It may take several months to produce the machine gun. We can't wait that long. The enemy is in front of us. We have to drive them out of our land! "

"You hope..." Boyata's face gradually turned pale: "You hope that our arsenal can produce machine guns for Charles?"

Albert I nodded: "I am responsible for obtaining the "authorized production" license from Charles, and your arsenal is responsible for production. This only requires some changes to the rifle production line, and then it will be put into mass production immediately. This is good for both of us, what do you think?"

Boyata's face was uncertain, and it seemed difficult to make a decision.

Albert I winked at Colonel Eden.

Colonel Eden understood and continued: "The troops need this machine gun, Mr. Boyata. The biggest defect of heavy machine guns is weight. It is difficult to move quickly on the battlefield, and we are always at a disadvantage in artillery fire against the Germans. Heavy machine guns are almost synonymous with death, and light machine guns can solve this problem well. "

This is the embarrassment of the Belgian army. They faced this problem when they fought against the Germans at the outbreak of World War I.

At that time, the Belgian army was only equipped with 102 Maxim heavy machine guns.

At first, these heavy machine guns were treated as treasures, but they soon found that they were basically useless on the battlefield: as soon as the heavy machine gun fired, it would be immediately targeted by the German 77 guns, and soon a shell would come and blow it and the machine gunner up to the sky.

The strength of each other was very different, and the weaker side was not suitable for using equipment with poor mobility, and they should fight guerrilla warfare.

Therefore, the demand for light machine guns was imminent.

"Your decision will save many lives." Albert I asked: "It will even save Belgium and your factory, Mr. Boyata!"

Boyata hesitated and replied: "I will seriously consider it, Your Majesty. Please give me some time."

"Of course." Albert I smiled and nodded.

Looking at Boyata's departing back, Colonel Eden was a little confused.

"Why should he hesitate?" Colonel Eden said, "That's Charles, everyone wants to cooperate with Charles."

"He thinks he has a chance to defeat Charles." Albert I smiled, "If you can monopolize the Belgian arms market, why share profits with Charles? Capitalists always think about maximizing their own interests. As for whether the war situation is urgent, whether more people will die, or even put the country in danger, this is not what they need to consider."

The fact is that the more dangerous the country is, the more money they can make, because then the country has to buy at a high price.

"Is he crazy?" Colonel Eden still couldn't believe it: "Defeat Charles? Defeat 'Saint Etienne 2'? That is recognized as the best machine gun..."

"Because he has Browning, Colonel." Albert I replied.

Colonel Eden suddenly stopped talking, and a look of realization appeared on his face.

...

In fact, Boyata is not only because of Browning.

After returning to the arsenal in Ghent, he found Browning as soon as possible.

(The above picture shows John Moses Browning, an American, FN's chief gun designer, who has designed many famous guns)

Browning was already 60 years old at this time, and like Boyata, he was also an old man with white hair and beard, the difference was that Browning's head was balder.

Browning was testing the improved "Chausa" at the shooting range, and there were several "Saint-Etienne 2" on the other side.

"How is it?" Boyata asked, "Is it possible to defeat the 'Saint-Etienne 2'?"

Browning shook his head helplessly: "It's almost impossible. The design of 'Saint-Etienne 2' is perfect. The rotating magazine solves the problem of ammunition capacity and bullet taper very well. Unless we use the same design, otherwise..."

"Then reduce its failure rate as much as possible." Boyata said in a deep voice.

Browning saw that Boyata's face was a little wrong, and asked puzzledly: "What happened?"

"Well." Boyata turned his eyes to the several "Saint-Etienne 2" in the corner: "They want us to produce this kind of machine gun."

Browning's face sank.

This is almost to make FN admit defeat, let him admit defeat, and let them give up research and development.

"What do you think?" Boyata said with vicissitudes. Is it true that no one can defeat Charles?

After thinking for a while, Browning replied calmly: "We have another advantage. FN is a local enterprise. As long as the performance is not much different, the Belgian army will still choose our machine guns."

Boyata nodded in agreement.

This is a consideration of national security. Domestic military enterprises are easier to control, and Charles is a Frenchman.

Therefore, as long as the faults of the "Chausa" machine gun are eliminated as much as possible, it is still possible for it to compete with the "Saint-Etienne 2".

But at this moment, the secretary came forward and said to Boyata: "Sir, I just received a notice from the provisional government that because the documents were burned in the war, we need to reapply for a gun production license!"

Boyata looked at the secretary in astonishment. He believed that this was not a coincidence.