Chapter 1626: Counterattack, the horn blows

Chang Haonan showed a playful expression: "Under normal circumstances, it is indeed not easy to choose."

Then the conversation changed again:

"However, just a while ago, the Americans themselves... happened to hand us a perfect opportunity to counterattack."

"Oh?" Luan Wenjie perked up, his eyes sharpening, "You mean... military industry?"

In fact, after the Commission of Science, Technology and Industry for National Defense was reorganized into the Commission of Industry and Construction, although the major military industrial groups still accepted business guidance, their affiliations have gradually begun to separate.

Fortunately, Luan Wenjie himself comes from the aerospace system, so he is still well aware of many things.

Chang Haonan nodded: "Because the negotiations with the EU have reached a stalemate, many key technical materials that were originally supposed to be delivered to Rolls-Royce have not yet been shipped and are still in our hands."

He counted on his fingers and listed the key points:

"This batch of data and parts is directly related to whether the core subsystems of several current and future main equipment of the US military can be successfully produced and maintained."

"The first to be affected is the F-35B, or more specifically, the lift fan system of the F135 engine, which requires our technical authorization and key components. Otherwise, Rolls-Royce will not be able to independently complete mass production that meets the requirements in the short term."

"Then there is the DDG-1000 Zumwalt-class destroyer's power, which is the MT30 gas turbine. Especially the new batch of products, we even need to customize the condensate control module."

"Also," Chang Haonan continued to add, "the extremely complex and precise main reducer core transmission components used by the V-22 Osprey tilt-rotor aircraft, some of its key manufacturing technologies and special material processes are also included in the technology package that has been temporarily detained this time..."

"..."

After a thorough inventory of all the businesses, it was found that they were all small in scale but could have a great impact on the other party.

"In short, once we announce that we will indefinitely suspend the delivery and authorization of relevant technologies and core components to Rolls-Royce due to force majeure or national security review... then the Americans will face an extremely embarrassing situation."

"The production capacity of the F-35B will be severely restricted, which may even affect its overseas arms sales; the construction of the follow-up Zumwalt-class ships will be stalled due to the lack of reliable power; and the maintenance and upgrade plans of the V-22 fleet will also be disrupted."

"This means," Chang Haonan emphasized, "the production, deployment and combat effectiveness of these key equipment of the US military, which are expensive and regarded as the core of future power projection, will be substantially affected in the next 5 to 10 years, which will be difficult to quickly make up for!"

When Luan Wenjie heard this, his eyes lit up and his breathing quickened slightly.

This is not a counterattack at all, it is simply holding the opponent's future high-end combat capability in the palm of your hand!

It may be a bit of an exaggeration to say that the U.S. military’s future combat effectiveness has been completely destroyed.

But if you grab the opponent's neck from the opposite side, that would definitely be the real deal.

He couldn't help but admire in a low voice:

"These idle chess pieces that were deployed in the past have really played an unexpected strategic role at the critical moment!"

Chang Haonan thought to himself that this was not just an idle move, but that his buddies had been waiting for this day for a long time.

Of course, it is impossible to show it openly.

So he just smiled and added:

"Also, Director Luan, we can still adjust the timing of this counterattack."

Luan Wenjie turned his gaze to Chang Haonan for advice:

"My suggestion is that we don't have to start immediately," the latter explained. "We can wait until the second half of 2015, when the US Navy's second batch of Zumwalt-class destroyers officially signs the construction contract and even starts the keel laying, and then suddenly announce the termination of relevant cooperation..."

Luan Wenjie looked at Chang Haonan with an expression of "As expected of you" on his face——

Obviously by that time, the US Navy will be truly caught in a dilemma.

If we continue to build the Zumwalt without a reliable power core, what we will create is an extremely expensive burden that is completely unable to form combat effectiveness in a short period of time, and will become a huge financial burden and a political laughing stock.

If it is forced to abandon the Zumwalt and turn back to building the Burke Flight III class destroyer, which has relatively mature technology but is already outdated, it will also lose a huge amount of initial investment. Strategically, it will also be a heavy blow to its "from sea to land" and naval technological advantages.

Although sunk costs do not participate in major decision-making.

But when that time really comes, how many people will be able to make the decisive move to cut off their own arm?

Furthermore, there is the game of interests between the military-industrial complex and Congress, which is enough to cause chaos in Washington for a while.

What's even more ironic is that, as the other party just said, this opportunity was presented to us by the Americans themselves.

If they had not intervened between the EU and China, the relevant technology transfer would have been completed long ago.

By then, it will be a matter between Britain and the United States. Even if China cuts off subsequent technical assistance, it will not cause a fatal impact.

"Anyway," Chang Haonan concluded, "no matter which path they choose, it will mean a huge waste of funds and the loss of an irreparable strategic window. This will hurt their nerves more than simple economic losses..."

In fact, at this stage, China no longer needs any window period.

Instead, it gives the United States time...

I'm afraid not many.

……

With full confidence and a very lethal countermeasure plan, Luan Wenjie finally left in a car satisfied.

The area around the Torch Laboratory seemed to have returned to its former tranquility.

However, beneath this harmonious appearance, the huge state machinery has already begun to operate at a high speed and with great precision.

Three days later, in the morning, Chang Haonan walked into the office as usual.

He took off his coat and hung it up, then habitually took out his personal mobile phone and prepared to put it in the shielding box.

But the moment the phone screen lit up, several pushed news headlines in the notification bar instantly caught my eye:

"Official solemn statement: Juchang and Huaxing Technology do not have any so-called "monopoly" behavior at all"

Ministry of Commerce: Firmly oppose all wrong actions that politicize commercial and technological issues

"Spokesperson of the Industrial and Construction Commission: We will take all necessary measures to clearly support Chinese companies in safeguarding their legitimate rights and interests"

A sense of impending storm blew through the cold screen.

Chang Haonan was slightly stunned, and quickly clicked on the official statement of the Industrial and Construction Committee that was pinned to the top of the page.

The press release is carefully worded and cites classics, fully illustrating the importance of fair market competition and intellectual property protection.

But the will between the lines is as strong as iron. After citing relevant international rules and factual basis, the last paragraph of the statement is like a heavy hammer falling:

"…Huaxia has always been committed to creating an open, fair and non-discriminatory environment for global scientific and technological cooperation. We urge relevant parties to immediately stop making groundless accusations and deliberate smears against Huaxia companies without any factual basis, and stop abusing state power to interfere with normal international commercial cooperation and technological exchanges…"

Lan Xinzhi's statement is a bit difficult to understand.

But after removing the polite words and riddle elements, the general meaning can be condensed into one sentence:

"Do you dare to touch me?"

Chang Haonan couldn't help but smile.

The clarion call for counterattack has been sounded by the top leaders themselves.

As expected, that afternoon, the two protagonists at the center of the storm - Juchang and Huaxing Technology - issued strongly worded and clear-cut statements through their respective official channels almost at the same time.

The statement first refuted the absurdity of the "monopoly" accusation with detailed data and patent analysis, and emphasized the advanced nature and innovativeness of its own technology.

Then, the core paragraph of the statement goes straight to the essence of the problem:

“…We have noticed the recent allegations and threats from certain countries and individual companies based on non-commercial purposes and without regard to facts. Such behavior is essentially because they can no longer maintain an effective advantage in fair technological and commercial competition, so they resort to off-site factors outside of market rules and try to hinder the natural laws of technological progress and industrial development through political intervention.”

"This just proves from the opposite side the leading and indispensable nature of our products and solutions, as well as their huge contribution to the progress of the global industry. We express regret for this, but we are not afraid!"

The last part of the statement is even more powerful, conveying strong confidence to global customers and partners:

"We have a complete, reliable, and independently controllable supply chain security system. Any unilateral and illegal sanctions will not shake our determination and ability to serve global customers."

“No matter how the external environment changes, we solemnly promise that we will strictly follow the established agreements and supply cycles to continuously and stably deliver high-quality products and services to all customers around the world!”