Rebirth of the 1980s: The Military Industry Empire

The atmosphere in the meeting room was heated.

"Today's exercise has fully demonstrated that in modern warfare, the air force is extremely important. I believe the air force should play a leading role and exert a decisive influence."

"What your air force can do, our ground forces can also do. Isn't it just hitting a few enemy targets deep in their territory in advance? We have long-range rocket artillery!"

"That's right, air defense is also unnecessary. Look at the old Russians, their field air defense relies on missiles. Once we have qualified air defense missiles, we won't need the air force. Can your air force operate independently without our army?"

As Qin Yang approached the meeting room, he could hear the arguments inside, which made him feel a bit helpless. It seemed that he was getting involved in more and more things.

What was he doing here? He was just the head of a small military factory. At this time, he even wanted to turn around and leave.

You can argue however you want, what does it have to do with me?

Inter-service rivalry exists in all countries, especially between the navy and air force. In general military powers, the army isn't as prominent, but in the East, the army has always been the boss.

However, Qin Yang hadn't left yet. Secretary Song appeared at the door again.

"Chief Qin, your timing is perfect. Hurry up and join the meeting."

"Secretary Song, I think I'll pass," Qin Yang squeezed out a smile. "I'm just a technical guy…"

"Chief Qin, hurry up and come in. Tell them, is it true that without air supremacy, there is nothing?" Old Song's voice came from inside.

"That's right, Chief Qin, you come in and tell us, can our long-range rocket artillery take on the task of striking deep into enemy territory?"

"Chief Qin, are our tank forces the decisive force in war?"

"Chief Qin, is it feasible to rely on missiles for field air defense?"

Qin Yang could only helplessly lift the door curtain and walk in, looking at the pairs of eyes full of anticipation inside.

The old leader wasn't there. After all, the old leader was busy with important matters and couldn't stay here all the time. He must have gone back to deal with other things, leaving Secretary Song behind to attend the meeting. It was precisely because the old leader wasn't there that these people started arguing.

"Everyone here is a professional soldier, an excellent general. I'm just a small technical staff member. I'm here to attend the meeting, listen to your grand speeches, and broaden my horizons," Qin Yang said.

"Chief Qin, why are you shrinking back? Show the momentum of Qin the Cannon from back then! They all say you're not afraid of anything, why are you afraid here?" Old Lin expressed his dissatisfaction with Qin Yang's attitude. "This isn't the Chief Qin I know!"

"Old Lin, you've only known Chief Qin for a few days. He's always been in our army's military industrial system," Leader Huang said. "Now he's still the assistant to the chief designer of our third-generation tank. Yangzi, don't be afraid, I'll support you. Speak out your true thoughts."

"Truth comes from debate. We don't need to be dissatisfied with you because of work differences. Say whatever you need to say," Leader Qin said.

"Alas, this is something that offends people. Are you really going to make me speak today?"

"Are you still afraid of offending people?"

"That's right, for the sake of your future father-in-law, we can't argue with you. Hurry up and speak."

"Alright, then I'll say a few words. First of all, the air force is indeed a decisive force. Without air supremacy, there is nothing. The air force is not an appendage of the army, but an independent and powerful branch of the military."

Old Lin smiled, good, you kid are still on my side!

"Chief Qin, what you said is wrong. How did the air force become a decisive force? During World War II, the German army wanted to use the air force to defeat Britain, but what was the result?"

"That's right, look at the current Iran-Iraq War. The ground is Iraq's, and the sky is Iran's."

"Everyone should read Douhet's 'The Command of the Air,'" Qin Yang said. "When the exercise is over, our Fangbei Company will come forward and translate this book. After everyone has thought deeply, we can discuss it, how about that?"

"The Command of the Air" is a compilation of the four major military works of the Italian military theorist Giulio Douhet during his lifetime. It was published in Rome in 1932. This book has a wide influence among professional soldiers in various countries, but it is not yet available in China. It will only be published by the People's Liberation Army Publishing House in 1986, translated by Cao Yifeng and Hua Renjie.

Now, when the theory of air supremacy is mentioned to everyone, many people simply don't understand it, let alone recognize it. This can't be rushed, it has to be done slowly.

"Chief Qin, when you translate the manuscript, I'll coordinate the publishing matters for you, and then give everyone present a copy," Old Lin said generously. "We can't be frogs in a well, we have to look at the outside world and catch up with the West."

The faces of a group of army leaders present were very ugly. Good, Chief Qin, the weapons you are developing now are all used by the army, but you are actually speaking for the air force, you've taken the wrong side!

However, they could only complain in their hearts, and couldn't say it on the surface. After all, Qin Yang found a very powerful future father-in-law. Although they haven't gotten married yet, it's already a done deal.

"However, if we want to have a strong air force, it's not just a matter for the air force. Our army also has to reform and grow wings," Qin Yang changed the subject.

"What? Why does the army need airplanes?" This time, Old Lin was unhappy.

"The army needs to develop army aviation forces. We can look at the West, or the old Russians, and we can see that they have powerful armed helicopters, but we don't. This is absolutely not acceptable. Armed helicopters fly high in the trees and can calmly launch fierce attacks on the enemy's ground forces. The height at which these helicopters fly may even be called the fourth dimension."

"That's right, Chief Qin is right!" This time, the army leaders were finally happy. "Since we are catching up with the West, then we have to learn from the West. All the army's helicopters should be transferred to our army, so that our army can also fly!"

Qin Yang's suggestions were impartial, securing benefits for both the army and the air force, but in the end, it was unknown whether he would offend both sides.