Rebirth of the 1980s: The Military Industry Empire

Time flies, and a week passes in a flash.

"Apart from the power being a bit small, everything else is fine. The Type 85 tank produced in the East has very good performance!" Fahata said, "Especially the automatic loader is very reliable, and the matching armor-piercing projectile has strong performance. We need to purchase a batch of 85 tanks from you to meet our needs in confronting the Indians."

The Indians are constantly receiving T-72 tanks and may even open a tank factory to produce them. Old Ba can't rely on the 59 and 69 tanks alone, just like China facing the Northern Bear, it's very uncomfortable. Therefore, now that this 85 tank has completed testing, the next step should be large-scale procurement.

Qin Yang smiled and said, "You have made the most correct choice. We are the best of friends, and the quotation to you is the cost price. The first order is two million US dollars per tank, and it may increase later due to inflation."

This is really not much. After all, a modified 69 tank also sells for over a million US dollars. This is a proper third-generation tank for Old Ba. The West would sell it for at least four million US dollars or more, so it can't be too expensive for Old Ba.

"The price is acceptable. We will first sign an order for a batch of fifty vehicles. After a small-scale trial, we will sign more orders." Mirza also nodded in agreement: "I think we need at least a thousand Type 85 tanks, of which eight hundred, or even more, we need to produce in our own factories. Will the price come down a lot by then?"

"Of course, although your tank factory's conditions are simple, the workers' level is good. As long as it is improved, it will definitely be able to complete the tank production task. During this time, we have already formulated a complete renovation plan." Qin Yang talked eloquently: "Your dream of wanting to produce tanks yourself will soon be realized. By then, the price will also drop to within 1.5 million US dollars, or even one million US dollars per tank."

"Report!" At this moment, an adjutant ran over in a hurry.

Qin Yang's eyes were full of anticipation. According to intelligence, the Indians had almost completed the improvement of their shells and planned a second test firing. The Indians' fantasy would also be shattered with a bang, and it would be best to blow up a group of Indian officers and technicians!

Was this adjutant here to report the good news of the Indian tank's gun exploding?

"Speak!"

"But..." The adjutant looked at Qin Yang and the others, somewhat hesitant.

"We have no secrets in front of our Eastern friends, speak."

"General Dynamics has sent people, and they have also brought the M1 tank. They plan to promote this tank to us through military aid."

What, M1 tank? The faces of Old Fang and the others instantly darkened.

After the end of World War II, the main battle tank of the United States was the M48 Patton tank, which was later improved into the M60 tank. However, because the tank technology of the old Maozi developed too fast, it formed a great advantage for the tank forces of Western countries, so the United States had to develop a more advanced tank project as soon as possible. They cooperated with West Germany to develop the MBT-70 tank.

International cooperation has always had various differences, and this time was no exception. Originally, it was thought that joint research and development would save money, but the development cost increased fivefold, not to mention that various technical solutions could not be unified. The Germans withdrew from the plan and independently created the Leopard 2 tank. The United States also began a new round of bidding. After a competition between Chrysler Defense and General Motors Defense, Chrysler won the contract and named it XM1. In 1978, this tank was finally finalized and named M1 tank, using the name of General Creighton Abrams, who had made outstanding achievements in World War II.

Chrysler won the bid, but did not laugh to the end. In February 1982, Chrysler Defense was acquired by General Dynamics, so the M1 tank also became under the command of General Dynamics. General Dynamics also specially established a General Dynamics Land Systems. It also acquired General Motors Defense, another bidding company, in 2003.

It has to be said that the performance of the M1 tank is really strong. This tank uses a self-weight of up to 54.5 tons, but it gallops like flying under the drive of a 1500-horsepower engine, and it is also a gas turbine, no matter how barbaric the operation, it will not stall.

It is also equipped with Chobham armor developed by the United Kingdom, and its protection is first-class. When it comes to the M1A2, it will be changed to depleted uranium armor, and its protection is the world's best.

In terms of firepower, although the 105mm tank gun is temporarily used, the performance of the depleted uranium armor-piercing projectile is so powerful that it is appalling. When it comes to the M1A1, it will also be replaced with a 120mm tank gun, and its power will be even more powerful. Except for not being able to penetrate its own tank armor, other tanks are not a problem.

Of course, the above is only limited to the American self-use version, but the outside world does not know the performance of the monkey version of the M1. In everyone's eyes, even if it is only the initial M1 tank now, its performance in all aspects will be several blocks away from the Type 85 tank, not to mention military aid!

In the 1980s, Old Ba had a good relationship with the United States, because the United States wanted to use Old Ba as a springboard to support the Afghan guerrillas, so as to cause trouble for the Soviet Union, so the relationship with Old Ba was very close. Old Ba's F16 fighter jets were obtained under this circumstance. In terms of army weapons, it is also normal to provide Old Ba with a batch of tanks as military aid.

Although the M1 tank is the most advanced ground weapon in the United States, the United States did not cherish it. After it was finalized, it began to promote it everywhere. Unfortunately, the Europeans did not buy it. Later, it was given to Egypt as military aid. In 1984, Egypt began to build an M1A1 tank production plant in its own country. Although 60% of the parts still need to be imported, it is not easy for Egypt. By 1998, Egypt had produced more than 500 M1A1 tanks by itself and had a powerful tank force.

Since it can provide Egypt with military aid, and also export production lines for production, then it is also normal to provide Old Ba with military aid. However, the most important reason is that they saw that the Type 85 tank had passed the Old Ba test, so they wanted to mess up this business.

That's right, it must be like this!

Old Fang and the others certainly understood the key, and their moods began to become uneasy, only Qin Yang was still nonchalant there: "The United States is here to promote tanks? Can we take a look together? See how many years their tanks are behind us."

What?

Everyone didn't react.

American tanks are behind? What a joke, their tanks are the most advanced in the world!

If someone else had made such a wild statement, everyone would have begun to refute or even besiege him, but it was President Qin who was speaking. A group of Old Bas were very speechless and embarrassed to say anything.

Mirza thought for a moment, then nodded: "Then let the Americans send their M1 tank to Taxila, and we will compare it with the Type 85 tank to see how big the performance gap is."

He only said how big the gap was, and didn't say who was worse than whom.