Rebirth of the 1980s: The Military Industry Empire

A major feature of Soviet tanks is their robustness and durability: If the steering lever doesn't move? Kick it! Can't shift gears? Smash it with a wrench! Even in the noisy T-34 tanks, if the driver couldn't hear the commander's orders, the commander would kick him directly: a kick to the left shoulder meant turn left, and a kick to the right meant turn right!

Eastern tanks have always inherited the characteristics of Soviet tanks, and the operation is entirely physical work. After a day of working the control levers, you'd be absolutely exhausted, with no thoughts other than sleeping.

In comparison, the operation of Western tanks is much easier: as early as World War II, German tanks began using hydraulic transmission systems, coupled with steering wheels, and could even achieve原地转向 (original spot turns). The Tiger tank relied on this kind of movement to speed up turret rotation, bringing fatal blows to Allied tankers.

Now, Eastern tanks still do not have the ability to turn on the spot. Even the third-generation tanks, under Qin Yang's suggestion, did not plan to develop hydraulic transmission systems. This is still beyond what the industrial level of the East in the early 1980s could handle, so they honestly stuck to mechanical transmission.

If using mechanical transmission, and still wanting to save effort, what to do? Of course, use hydraulic power assistance! As long as it's easier to shift gears and pull the control levers.

Fahata nodded, agreeing to this plan.

"May I ask, when can you provide the design drawings? When can you produce the physical object?" Mirza asked impatiently.

Director Fang became nervous again. With President Qin's personality, he wouldn't say three or five days, or even a week, would he?

"This work is too complicated. Although we have gun barrels and automatic loaders, we haven't worked on welded turrets. The engine needs to be upgraded, and the transmission system also needs to be improved… Let me calculate." Qin Yang's left hand fiddled with the fingers of his right hand: "A modification cost of 20 million US dollars should be enough. We each bear half, you contribute 10 million US dollars, how about it?"

Nie Xiaoqian hesitated for a moment. I translated clearly, right? They asked how long it would take, why are you calculating the cost?

Seemingly afraid of embarrassing Nie Xiaoqian, Qin Yang directly blurted out in English: "Ten million dollars."

A trace of confusion flashed in Mirza's eyes.

I'm asking how long, not how much money!

Qin Yang continued eloquently: "The development of an advanced turret requires many steps. Many things have to be newly produced. Take the turret ring as an example, it needs to be further expanded. The gears and motors of the turret ring all need to be produced by supporting manufacturers. And the engine improvement, this also requires us to make arduous efforts. Just testing the fuel consumption is a large sum of money. I don't know if 20 million is enough. If it's not enough, then we'll cover the rest, and we will definitely not let our friends suffer."

Nie Xiaoqian had already reacted and continued to get into character, translating Qin Yang's words.

If buying, 10 million US dollars could buy several tanks, but for research and development, this amount of money is just a drop in the bucket. Qin Yang has already thrown out such an attractive plan. Now, specially developing it for Pakistan, each bearing half of the research and development funding, is already quite cheap.

Although Pakistan prefers bidding without spending a penny, with the bidding team covering the research and development costs, since it's being modified according to their needs, spending money is appropriate.

"We will concentrate the nation's tank research and development forces. At the latest, we can produce a prototype for you in half a year," Qin Yang said.

"Okay, then we look forward to your good news. When this Type 85 tank is modified, we hope it can be sent to our country for testing. After the test is qualified, we will order a batch from you and start the four-step plan at the same time. President Qin, what do you think?" Mirza agreed.

"Of course, no problem. Now that the project is discussed, shouldn't we go eat something next?"

Qin Yang was really hungry. He hadn't eaten anything in the 617 factory's cafeteria and rushed over. After all the tossing, his stomach was growling.

"Okay."

At the dinner table, everyone ate and communicated in a harmonious atmosphere. Qin Yang's proposal for the future development of tanks made them even more admired.

In the midst of the pleasant atmosphere, Mirza suddenly opened his mouth: "When we were discussing the Type 85 tank, we seemed to have forgotten to talk about the fire control system, right? The fire control system of this tank cannot be the same as the current tanks, using the old-fashioned light spot injection device. We need an advanced stabilized sighting system."

Everyone present was stunned.

What, stabilized sighting system?

"This is easy to say, we guarantee to meet your requirements."

After eating for more than two hours, the Pakistanis finally reluctantly left the 617 factory and returned on a special plane.

After seeing off these guests, Director Fang asked nervously: "President Qin, are you going to stay and help with the design?"

"Me? I shouldn't be needed, right? Didn't Director Zhu and the others bring the design drawings?"

Director Zhu, design drawings?

Director Fang widened his eyes: "President Qin, what Director Zhu brought are the design drawings for the third-generation tank. They plan to build a third-generation tank prototype! You actually want to transplant the third-generation tank onto our foreign trade tank? This won't work! The army won't agree!"

"Isn't it good to have multiple testing platforms? Besides, for a tank, what's important is not the appearance, but the internal armor. As long as the composite armor used for our own use and export is different, won't it be fine? What are the needs of the troops now? It is to complete the research and development of new tanks while saving costs as much as possible. Isn't it good for us to find a foreign trade tank to verify the technology?"

Now, the 69 tanks exported for foreign trade are more advanced than those used by the troops. The air force's fighter jets are also like this. We don't sell monkey models, we sell the most advanced ones! This allows customers to help us test, and it won't be too late for the troops to use it when it matures!

"President Qin is right, these can all be exported to earn foreign exchange. Huashuo's modification fee of 10 million US dollars is not low. President Qin, how should this fee be allocated?" Director Zhu's voice sounded.

"One million is allocated to the engine, one million is allocated to the turret, one million is allocated to the tank gun and automatic loader produced by our 960 factory, one million is taken by Fangbei Company as commission, and the rest belongs to the 617 factory," Qin Yang said.

The 617 factory can earn 900,000 from the production of the turret, and 100,000 is enough to build a welded turret. There are still 6 million left for the 617 factory. Wang Lin listened excitedly and almost shouted "Long live President Qin."

"Factory Director Wang, with this 6 million of extra money, can we build a tank prototype for ourselves?" Director Zhu was also very excited: "The army's appropriation has not yet come down, but our research and development of the third-generation tank is urgent. Don't worry, this money still belongs to your 617 factory. When the superior's appropriation comes down, it will be credited to your account."

Qin Yang looked at Wang Lin: "I seem to have missed something just now. If we use the turret design drawings of our third-generation tank, we have to give the 201st Institute a design fee. The remaining 6 million will be regarded as…"

Regarded as what? Turret design fee? Wang Lin quickly nodded: "Director Zhu, don't worry, even if there is no appropriation, we have to complete the manufacture of the third-generation tank prototype."

"Oh, then the design fee will be 1 million, and the remaining 5 million will belong to your 617 factory. Do you have any objections?"

"Of course not, no," Wang Lin nodded repeatedly. President Qin, this god of wealth, must not be offended, and this money did not go into President Qin's pocket, but was used for the national military industry. What else is there to say?

"Okay, then let's start work now and produce the 85 tank within a week!"

"What? A week?"

"Yes, how long are we waiting? After a week, we should be producing the third-generation tank," Qin Yang said: "Do you have any objections?"

"No, we guarantee to complete the task!"

"Okay, then Xiaoqian and I are going to rest. You guys work hard!"

Wait, I still have a key question that I haven't asked! That stabilized sighting system…