Chapter 912 Not all orders can be accepted

The two flight demonstrations of the J-10E were scheduled in the afternoon of the second day of the professional day and the first day of the public open day respectively.

It’s a good time too.

As this was the first overseas display of a domestically-made third-generation aircraft, the media naturally spared no effort in giving it extensive publicity.

Of course, in the circle of core military fans, the rumor that "the J-10 may have another upgraded model" has long been circulated. Many people are basically certain that the Chinese Air Force will be equipped with another model with a similar overall design but slightly larger size, exchanging some agility and high-speed performance for greater multi-purpose potential.

However, most people may not even be able to distinguish between the F15 and the Su-27, let alone pay attention to such details.

It is enough as long as they can see their own models competing with foreign fighters on TV and not seem to be inferior at all.

Especially the photo Guo Ruiqing took by chance before the opening of the air show was quoted by almost all news reports.

Four fighter jets with a canard layout are parked together in a head-to-head posture. Compared with the surrounding conventional layout models, after a little color processing, they can really give people a sense of science fiction.

Some print media even gave this photo the title "The First Year of Duck Wings" in order to attract attention.

Although Chang Haonan's words seem extremely unfashionable, this way of word formation seems to be really popular.

After a while, even several foreign media adopted this statement.

"This exhibition, at least in terms of publicity, has had quite good results,"

In the director's office of the Commission of Science, Technology and Industry for National Defense, Li Zhongyi placed several newspapers in different languages ​​on Ding Gaoheng's desk, and then sat on the sofa next to Chang Haonan:

"According to the report from the Aviation Technology Group, two countries also expressed their intention to place orders with us, but unfortunately the deal was not actually completed."

While listening to Li Zhongyi's report, Ding Gaoheng sat up straight, casually opened one of the newspapers and read the contents.

He can understand English and Russian directly. As for other languages, Li Zhongyi has asked a translator to mark the approximate meaning in the margins.

"It doesn't matter."

After Li Zhongyi finished speaking, Ding Gaoheng replied in a relaxed tone:

"In the past, they came to our country to buy equipment... In fact, it was not just equipment, they came to our country to buy any products, either because they were simply cheap and in large quantities, or because they were politically desperate and could not find other sellers. It was always a forced behavior."

"But in the future, more and more countries will choose us because of the performance of our products or their good relations with our country."

“But changing mindsets is a difficult thing and takes time.”

Having said that, the latter paused for a moment, changed the newspaper in his hand to another one, and then continued:

"Another point is that military equipment procurement is a relatively sensitive and special business, and aircraft are highly customizable products, so there are very few orders finalized on the spot at the exhibition."

"Those who signed at the air show actually started negotiating many years ago. They just found an occasion with commemorative or publicity significance to announce it. This may be different from the industry you used to work in, Comrade Zhongyi."

After all, Li Zhongyi had just been transferred from the petrochemical system to the Commission of Science, Technology and Industry, so it was normal that he didn't know much about some details in the military industry.

"Speaking of intended orders."

Chang Haonan saw that Li Zhongyi next to him looked a little embarrassed, so he changed the subject appropriately:

“Although our Aviation Power Group did not bring any physical exhibits to the exhibition this time, we almost received an order.”

"Oh?"

Ding Gaoheng put down the newspaper and looked up at Chang Haonan with curiosity:

"Is there still this?"

After the military industry system was restructured into a group, the overall operational autonomy was decentralized.

Therefore, unless there is an order with a particularly huge impact, the ordinary bits and pieces, as well as those contacts that are just intentions, will not be fed back to Ding Gaoheng's level.

“I just saw the report this morning.”

Chang Haonan explained:

"On the second day of the professional day of the air show, Hindustan Aeronautics (HAL) submitted a letter of inquiry to Snecma, stating that they were selecting power for the mass-produced version of the LCA fighter and asked whether the French had plans to export a follow-up model of the M88."

"Because according to the previous contract, if the M88 is to be exported, it needs approval from both us and Snecma, so this matter came to me."

By the end of his speech, it was obvious that he was holding back a smile.

After all, as a reborn person, it is really hard not to laugh when talking about LCA "Glory".

At this moment, LCA has not yet revealed its many amazing features, and it has also achieved its first flight not long ago. In everyone's eyes, it seems to be a very promising model.

It took the J-10 about 17 or years from project initiation to first flight. As a developing country starting from scratch, it is not an exaggeration for LCA to make its first flight in .

From the perspective of China at this time, it is considered a strong opponent.

Therefore, Ding Gaoheng's attitude was quite serious:

"So...what's your attitude?"

"No reply yet, but I think they will reject it..."

"really."

Ding Gaoheng nodded with satisfaction:

"After all, they are our strategic rivals. We cannot help them build their core military strength."

"..."

Chang Haonan thought to himself that if the Indian Air Force could really regard LCA as its core combat force, then I would sign and approve it immediately after I return, the sooner the better.

Of course, this cannot be said directly.

"Cough cough..."

He cleared his throat and spoke again:

"In fact, I don't have much confidence in Stan Airlines. If accidents continue to occur after replacing the new engine, or the project progress is seriously delayed, wouldn't that damage our own reputation..."

In fact, Chang Haonan insisted on signing a joint research and development contract with Snecma and gave up a considerable advance payment for this. He did intend to keep a card in hand to contain India in the future.

But at that time, what he wanted to do was to strangle the possibility of Rafale being exported to South Asia in the future.

I swear to God, I never expected that LCA would get involved in such a thing.

"Then... it shouldn't be that serious, right?"

Ding Gaoheng felt that Chang Haonan's concerns were a bit exaggerated:

“Generally speaking, if there is no problem with the engine itself… the project should still be secure.”

The latter simply couldn't explain this kind of thing.

If you have never seen the magic of HAL, it is really hard to believe that there is such a heaven-defying aviation manufacturing company.

So I had to put it another way:

"And one more thing, LCA has already chosen the F404 as the engine for the first flight, and there is absolutely no need to change the model. The performance of the M88-2 does not meet the requirements of a single-engine medium-sized aircraft. I think it is very likely that they are just using the M88 as a bargaining chip to lower the price with General Electric."

"This is a very common operation. I think Comrade Haonan's concerns are reasonable."

Li Zhongyi, who had been silent just now, also interrupted:

"The bidding process itself actually involves a lot of costs. If you are very sure that you are just using it as a bargaining chip and there is no chance of winning the bid, then there is really no need to be a runner-up unless there are additional publicity considerations."

"..."

……

The topic related to the air show soon came to an end.

Ding Gaoheng specially called Chang Haonan here today, of course not just to talk about such a small matter as the Paris Air Show.

Of course, strictly speaking, the person who really wanted to talk to Chang Haonan was Li Zhongyi.

"Comrade Haonan."

The latter took out a file bag from the briefcase beside him and handed it to Chang Haonan:

"At the beginning of the month, a Norwegian company submitted an order to Hudong Shipyard to build eight LNG carriers."

"Hudong Factory said that there shouldn't be any major problems with the ship itself, but the order specifically emphasized the need to install your Torch Group's patented boil-off gas reliquefaction system. So we need your opinion on whether this contract can be signed and how to sign it."

"Originally they were going to contact you directly, but they couldn't get in touch with you for some time, so they reported it to the higher authorities through the Shipbuilding Industry Corporation, and finally it came to me."

Logically speaking, the long-term loss of contact of senior management of a company like Aviation Power Corporation could be treated as an accident.

However, Chang Haonan has been working in the front line of scientific research for a long time, and his situation is really special, so people generally don't make a fuss about not being able to find him.

"There is definitely no problem. Our BOG reliquefaction system is fully compatible with the Gas-Transport liquid cargo tank technology route of the Hudong Plant. If combined with a natural gas-powered diesel engine, it can almost guarantee zero loss during transportation..."

As he spoke, Chang Haonan unwrapped the seal and pulled out several thick documents in multiple languages:

“But our LNG carrier… we haven’t even built the first one for domestic trials yet. Is there anyone who dares to place an order for eight ships at once?”

As of 2001, most of the existing LNG carrier orders are still held by Japanese shipyards.

The new growth is mainly in South Korea.

As for China, it has little persuasiveness in the field of high-end ships.

You should know that the price of each large LNG ship with a capacity of 13.5 cubic meters is basically more than US$1.5 million.

The Gas-Transport liquid cargo tank has a higher construction cost due to its weight and volume, and the general quotation is between US$1.7 million and US$1.8 million.

8 ships, that’s $14 billion.

Nearly 120 billion RMB...

Even domestic companies dare not place such orders.

Huaxia Petrochemical has only signed contracts for two ships so far, and requires that construction of one of them start first, and the second ship will be decided after it passes acceptance.

Why should a foreign company do this?

"That's why the Hudong Factory is so cautious. They're worried that there might be some trap here."

Li Zhongyi explained:

"But we also consulted some international commercial law experts, and apart from the fact that the advance payment ratio is a little low, there doesn't seem to be any other problems."

With curiosity, Chang Haonan opened the document with a Chinese cover.

"We are new to the market and don't have much bargaining power. We can't really complain about reducing the advance payment to 10%."

"If you're sure there's no problem..."

He originally wanted to say that if there was no problem, then he could boldly take the order.

But at this moment, he suddenly caught a glimpse of the equity structure of Party B's company in the background investigation.

Norway's Zhuoer Company holds a 70% stake.

The other 30% is a hodgepodge of ingredients from all over the place.

"and many more……"

Chang Haonan suddenly changed the subject:

"Please Director Li, please emphasize to the Hudong Factory that no decision should be made on this order for the time being..."