Rebirth of the 1980s: The Military Industry Empire

After a moment of silence, Lucas spoke first: "Why are our carrier-based aircraft so outdated? In last year's naval battle, our Super Étendard fighter successfully launched Exocet missiles and sank the HMS Sheffield!"

"That's only because the British Navy is equally useless, with only some Sea Harriers. If the British Navy's aircraft carrier fleet had Tomcat fighters or Hornet fighters, providing the carrier fleet with a 500-kilometer air defense range, would a piece of junk like the Super Étendard be able to fly over?"

Zhao Guodong was truly dumbfounded. This President Qin is too fierce, isn't he? He immediately devalued the French to nothing!

The proud Frenchman's face turned red, wanting to retort, but it seemed like he couldn't find a way to refute.

Indeed, the Super Étendard is just an attack aircraft. It can exert strong combat power when facing weak opponents, but if facing equal or even higher-level opponents, there is no chance at all.

"Besides the Super Étendard attack aircraft, the Clemenceau aircraft carrier also has Crusader fighters. This type of aircraft is a first-generation fighter developed in the 1950s, only capable of launching short-range air-to-air missiles, essentially not much better than the Sea Harrier." Qin Yang continued to provoke: "Moreover, this is still an American aircraft, having served on your aircraft carrier for many years. It should probably be retired by now. You shouldn't be acting as second-hand dealers to peddle this outdated aircraft, which means we can only fly Super Étendard attack aircraft. Is this an aircraft carrier or an amphibious assault ship?"

The Clemenceau aircraft carrier was born in the 1960s. At that time, because there were no carrier-based aircraft, 42 F-8E carrier-based fighters were imported from the United States. Perhaps they were considered advanced aircraft at the time, but twenty years have passed, and these aircraft are already outdated.

The French developed their own Étendard fighter, which was improved and called the Super Étendard fighter. This fighter is also not very advanced. Its biggest use is to carry Exocet missiles for anti-ship attacks. In terms of combat, it cannot even compare to the French-developed Mirage 2000. It simply has no ability to confront third-generation aircraft.

"Currently, our Dassault company is developing the twin-engine Rafale fighter. This fighter will be a powerful third-generation aircraft, completely comparable to American-made aircraft!"

"Great, so we don't need to purchase those carrier-based aircraft now. We can wait until later, when you develop advanced carrier-based aircraft, and then we'll purchase them, how about that?"

Zhao Guodong understood. President Qin's move is really brilliant.

The other party said they wanted to give away the aircraft carrier for free, but then said they required us to purchase carrier-based aircraft and renovate the aircraft carrier, all of which would cost money. Now, first, make the French speechless, we don't need the fighter jets, buying them back is also junk, we'll have to buy them later anyway.

If you want to make money, then we'll talk about it later!

"If you don't purchase carrier-based aircraft now, then what will you use? Isn't buying it back just an empty shell? An aircraft carrier's combat power comes from its carrier-based aircraft!" Lucas said angrily.

Of course, he knew that future projects were uncertain, and he had to trick the other party now.

"We don't need your side to worry about that. We can temporarily make do with helicopters." Qin Yang said, and then brought up the second topic: "Since we no longer need to operate imported carrier-based aircraft, then the aircraft carrier doesn't need any maintenance work either. As long as the aircraft carrier's engine can turn and the rudder can move, then the aircraft carrier can be sailed back. We are very grateful that your side is willing to give us an aircraft carrier for free."

Now it's really a free giveaway. No maintenance is needed, no carrier-based aircraft are needed. The French said they would give us an aircraft carrier, and we'll just go and receive it! Don't worry, we'll add the fuel ourselves for the 10,000-kilometer journey from France!

"Many parts on the aircraft carrier need regular maintenance, especially the catapults. If you neglect it now, then later when you purchase Rafale fighters from us, you will find that the catapults can no longer be used, and you will have to spend a lot of money to purchase brand new catapults." Raphael said: "This maintenance cost is absolutely not something you can save on."

"If we can't use them, then we won't use them. Besides, the performance of the catapults on the Clemenceau aircraft carrier is too poor, and they can't catapult high-performance carrier-based aircraft either. When the time comes, we'll probably have to dismantle them."

Zhao Guodong was very emotional in his heart. Only President Qin dared to say this. None of us others have the guts. Foreigners come to give us equipment, and we still have to be picky.

"Our catapults have poor performance?" Raphael frowned: "Our catapults are the most advanced catapults in the world!"

"The length is only fifty meters, the catapult weight is only a dozen tons, and it still uses the catapult method of a slingshot. Is this kind of catapult worthy of being called advanced? Even if we purchase Rafale fighters from you in the future, the catapults probably won't be compatible, right?"

The French shout about wanting to be independent every day, but in reality, they don't have that ability at all. When they built the Clemenceau, they directly imported BS-5 catapults from the UK. The level of these catapults remained in the 1950s.

Modern catapults have a slider that directly fixes the aircraft's nose landing gear. This type of catapult uses a rope hanging on the belly of the aircraft, just like a slingshot. Because the rope falls into the sea every time it is catapulted, the French Navy felt it was a waste, so they added a net in front of the aircraft carrier to catch the rope for reuse.

When the French built the Charles de Gaulle, they pinched their noses and gritted their teeth to purchase C-13 catapults from the United States. Although the price was high, it was still cheaper than developing their own.

Speaking of catapults, the C-13 is the most awesome, with a length of more than 100 meters, capable of catapulting a carrier-based aircraft weighing more than 30 tons. Of course, the French used a scaled-down version of the C-13. Their aircraft carrier deck area was too small, and they only had carrier-based aircraft weighing about 20 tons, so they shortened it to 75 meters.

"How do you know?" Lucas was surprised. Our Rafale fighter hasn't even been developed yet, but the person on the other side actually knows that the catapult method is different?

He realized he shouldn't have said that after he finished speaking, covered his mouth with his hand, and his face turned red from holding back.

"Actually, that aircraft carrier isn't that important. We saw that you were so sincere, so we planned to reluctantly accept it. We'll have to dismantle it after using it for a dozen years. I heard that many materials on it are not environmentally friendly, and it will cost a lot of money to dismantle it." Qin Yang said: "Since everyone is friends, then we'll help out."

Wanting an aircraft carrier for free, with no additional conditions, and still helping the other party? Zhao Guodong was shocked by Qin Yang's remarks.

"In that case, then we have nothing to talk about." Although Lores had not spoken all along, he had been suppressing his anger, and now he finally couldn't help it.

"That's right, there's nothing to talk about, unless you can prove it to us."