Rebirth of the 1980s: The Military Industry Empire

"After repeated studies, the military finally concluded that the 203mm howitzer was not suitable for the parade display," Liu Yong said.

"Not suitable?" Qin Yang's eyes widened: "What was the military thinking?"

"Because the military doesn't have a suitable tractor," Liu Yong's expression was very awkward: "After all, this towed artillery weighs 17 tons. Among the various artillery tractors equipped in our country, only the 'Big De Gaulle' can tow it. However, these vehicles are currently performing transportation tasks on the southern front and cannot be transferred back."

An advanced weapon and equipment that could not be on the parade ground because there was no tractor. Qin Yang was also speechless. However, he also knew that this was indeed the case.

In the past, the heaviest artillery in China was the 152mm howitzer, weighing 5.5 tons. Even the old Liberation trucks could tow it. However, in mountainous areas, vehicles with stronger traction were required.

The most advanced tractor in China was the Berliet military vehicle imported from France a few years ago. Among them, the GCH 6x6 military vehicle had a strong off-road capability and was unimpeded on rugged mountain roads. The veterans called it "Big De Gaulle."

China introduced related technologies and produced the Hongyan 261 series trucks. These trucks are now almost all on the front lines and have become the main transportation vehicles. Although the parade is important, fighting is also very important, so it is impossible to bring these vehicles back.

Moreover, even this type of vehicle is not suitable for towing a 203mm howitzer.

This howitzer has a powerful power, with a projectile of 101 kilograms. In contrast, the 152mm howitzer's shell weighs only 43 kilograms. This gun can blast any solid reinforced concrete fortification into slag, making it very suitable for urban combat.

However, the larger the caliber, the heavier the artillery will naturally be. The combat weight of this cannon is as high as 17 tons! There is no tractor in China that can tow this cannon. Don't even think about mountain roads. On flat ground, the 'Big De Gaulle' can still tow it, but the problem is that there are no extra vehicles now!

With a 203mm caliber and a 45-caliber barrel, the gun itself is over 9 meters long! At the same time, in order to ensure the traction and turning of the tractor, a 3.5-meter-long drawbar is used, making it difficult to tow.

Moreover, once at the position, it is even more difficult to rely solely on manpower to push and pull the artillery in and out of the position.

The army likes the power of this artillery but is troubled by its bulkiness.

Therefore, after a comparison, they finally gave up the idea of displaying this artillery on the parade ground.

"This is the largest-caliber artillery made in China, which is of great significance for external display. Moreover, after the display, it will also be conducive to our foreign sales," Qin Yang said: "Who is responsible for the review of the parade equipment? I'll go find him now."

Qin Yang has always been quick and decisive.

"Old Yang."

"Okay, I'll go right away." Qin Yang said, standing up.

Old Yang was born in 1911 and is now an old man in his seventies, but he is still in good spirits. He joined the Workers' and Peasants' Red Army in 1928 and came from that most difficult war era. He is a fierce general in the army and has been fighting all the time, whether before or after the founding of the country. His figure has been in every war.

In 1979, Old Yang was still commanding operations in the south. In 1980, he was transferred back to the capital. When the superiors decided to hold a military parade, a parade command team was established, and Old Yang was the commander-in-chief.

Qin Yang respected and even admired such an old man very much. He was very touched that Old Yang could meet him in his busy schedule.

"Old Yang, I'm very glad to see you. In order not to waste your time, let's keep it short and sweet."

Old Yang waved his hand: "President Qin, don't worry. My time is precious, but your time is also precious. It's not easy for us to meet, so it doesn't matter if we chat for a while. Xiao Qin, what's wrong with your eyes? Why are they so red?"

"I've been staying up late. I haven't slept much from the day before yesterday until now. I've been busy."

"Then you have to go and rest quickly. Your health is the capital of revolution," Old Yang said: "You can come to me anytime, and I will meet you anytime."

"It's okay, Old Yang. I'm here to report on the 203mm towed artillery. We believe that this artillery is very important and should appear on the parade ground so that it can strengthen our national and military prestige. The world's military powers, the 'Four Hooligans,' all have 203mm howitzers, and we must have them too."

"The 'Four Hooligans'?" Old Yang smiled: "Sure enough, it's interesting to talk to you!"

However, this design is not convenient. Even if China already has a mature medium-sized tracked chassis, it will take a long time to install a 203mm howitzer on it.

Of course, except for President Qin.

"No." Qin Yang shook his head: "I'm not omnipotent."

Qin Yang can do other things because of the advantage of being reborn. However, in the original time and space, the 203mm howitzer was not mounted on a tracked chassis, so Qin Yang has no experience in this regard.

In fact, the 203mm howitzer was abandoned after it was developed because the troops felt it was impractical. It was not until the war in the period before Qin Yang's rebirth that the 203mm howitzer played a great role, and the army decided to transfer this cannon from technical reserves to continue research and development, and use modern technology to improve it and give it stronger capabilities.

This back and forth is a lot of trouble, so Qin Yang has to promote it. Now this howitzer must be equipped to the troops so that it can be used at any time, without having to scramble.

"No? Since it's not a self-propelled howitzer plan, then it's still towing? We don't have a suitable tractor in China."

"If we don't have it, we'll import it." Qin Yang said: "Mercedes-Benz heavy trucks should be fine, right? Their NG80 heavy trucks already have a maximum version of 360 horsepower, 6x6 drive, and it should be a piece of cake to tow our howitzer."

In the past, the East had organized a delegation to inspect heavy trucks in Western Europe and took a fancy to Mercedes-Benz heavy trucks. Unfortunately, the Germans' conditions were too high, and Steyr was eventually introduced. However, many people still miss Mercedes-Benz heavy trucks.

The 'Big De Gaulle' only has 215 horsepower, and its towing capacity is already excellent. If the 360-horsepower NG80 heavy truck is brought over, towing a 17-ton cannon will of course be no problem! If this is not enough, there is also a 500-horsepower engine prepared for large vehicles!

Old Yang's eyes were full of anticipation: "President Qin, are you going to buy a batch of Mercedes-Benz heavy trucks and give them to our parade?"

"More than that," Qin Yang shook his head: "I also want to buy the Mercedes-Benz heavy truck production line and build a special heavy truck factory! Whatever the troops need, we will build."

Old Yang was shocked instantly.