The rise of great powers: starting from military industry

The next evening.

Liu Tao hosted a banquet in the courtyard to entertain Prince Sultan.

In addition to Prince Sultan, there were only his two sons and Liu Zhenbang.

After drinking for more than thirty minutes, they talked about business.

Liu Tao did not expect that Saudi Arabia also wanted to strengthen cooperation between the two sides.

This time, it was naturally easy to talk.

Liu Tao agreed without hesitation to Saudi Arabia's proposal to increase the number of students studying in China.

After all, this is a good thing.

First, students studying in China are not free like in China, but have to pay tuition, and food expenses are also inevitable, which is a revenue generation.

Second, military academies like Shijiazhuang already have many third world students, and now they cannot increase some, plus studying in other famous universities, this can be completely digested.

But when Saudi Arabia proposed to import fuel-air explosive bombs and fire tanks, Liu Tao couldn't help but feel embarrassed.

Fuel-air explosive bombs are too lethal, known as sub-nuclear weapons, and their terrifying power can be imagined.

At present, no country that has developed fuel-air explosive bombs has ever exported fuel-air explosive bombs.

He had just reached a consensus with the Americans that some weapons were not suitable for export. If they were exported to Saudi Arabia, it would be a violation of the previous promise.

No one knew whether the Americans would use this as an excuse to sanction Panshan Group in anger.

Although he had countless ways to avoid American sanctions, it was still troublesome to say.

Panshan Group's business in the United States was constantly increasing.

The export volume of automobiles, motorcycles, computers, semiconductors, etc. to the United States continued to set new historical records.

Even when the passenger aircraft was successfully developed, the Americans had to cooperate in order to obtain the North American airworthiness certificate.

Otherwise, if they did not give the North American airworthiness certificate, it meant that the passenger aircraft could not fly to North America.

More than one-third of China's international flights went to the United States.

At this time, there was no need to turn against the Americans.

"Your Highness, this may be difficult!" Liu Tao smiled bitterly and said, "Have you heard of any country exporting mushroom bombs and fuel-air explosive bombs?"

"Look at South Africa now. South Africa has mushroom bombs. According to what I know, South Africa is now planning to give up mushroom bombs in exchange for the lifting of international sanctions." Liu Tao sighed, "Mushroom bombs and fuel-air explosive bombs really cannot be exported."

"South Africa is going to give up mushroom bombs?" Prince Sultan was shocked, "Are they crazy? They paid such a high price and now they have succeeded, but they are going to give up!?"

Mushroom bombs are the most destructive and lethal weapons developed by humans so far.

After major countries have mushroom bombs, the development and possession of mushroom bombs are prohibited. Now only the five permanent members of the UN Security Council legally own mushroom bombs.

In addition, it is a secret that is not a secret, that is, South Africa also has mushroom bombs.

South Africa, located at the southernmost tip of the African continent, guards the Cape of Good Hope. It is one of the countries with the richest uranium reserves in the world, with a total proven uranium reserve of up to 350,000 tons, accounting for about 11% of the world's proven uranium resources.

As early as World War II, South Africa began to supply uranium raw materials to the United States' Manhattan Project.

By the 1950s, South Africa had become the world's major uranium raw material producer and exporter.

In the late 1950s, the United States agreed to provide South Africa with nuclear reactor technology and help South Africa train scientific researchers under the framework of the "peaceful use of atomic energy" cooperation to assist South Africa in the peaceful use of nuclear energy. With the help of the United States, South Africa gradually mastered uranium enrichment technology.

Like many countries, South Africa, which has been able to skillfully use nuclear energy, could not resist the temptation of mushroom bombs, so the South African nuclear weapons project was launched under the guise of "civilian nuclear energy".

It is said that Israel proposed to exchange technology for raw materials because of its uranium resources. The two sides finally completed the exchange of raw materials and technology. Israel obtained 600 tons of natural uranium from South Africa, and South Africa got the technology to make mushroom bombs as it wished.

In 1979, South Africa successfully conducted a nuclear test, declaring its nuclear capability, and then in 1982 South Africa manufactured the first mushroom bomb.

South Africa has also paid a huge price for taking this path, that is, the increasing international pressure, coupled with the high cost of making mushroom bombs and the annual maintenance costs of at least 6 to 7 million US dollars, which makes South Africa feel overwhelmed.

But in the eyes of Prince Sultan, as long as the current difficulties are overcome, South Africa's future is bright.

After all, with mushroom bombs, other countries want to attack South Africa, they have to think twice.

If it is abandoned, all the previous efforts will be wasted, and South Africa's previous huge investment will be equivalent to a waste of water.

And buying a mushroom bomb is enough to make back all the previous investment of South Africa.

If South Africa sells all the mushroom bombs in its hands, it will definitely make a lot of money.

Liu Tao smiled, "This is no longer a secret. South Africa is ready to start the nuclear disarmament plan and plans to start destroying the nuclear warheads stored in the nuclear arsenal next year!"

The pressure from the international community and the heavy financial burden of nuclear possession have made South Africa voluntarily give up nuclear weapons.

Although it is said that after overcoming the current pressure, there will be an extremely bright future in the future.

But the problem is that not everyone can withstand the pressure in the early stage.

In recent years, the mercenaries have helped South Africa sell more than 300 tons of gold.

However, after importing grain and other commodities, the income from the gold sold by South Africa should be almost gone.

South Africa, which has been sanctioned by the international community, has no ability to earn foreign exchange.

You should know that before the development of mushroom bombs, South Africa was the leading comprehensive power in Africa. Its industrial output value even accounted for nearly 45% of the African region. Indicators such as steel production capacity, which represents the level of industrial development, almost monopolized the African market, and its per capita GDP reached the level of developed countries.

It is said that Mandela is the "Father of South Africa", but during his administration, South Africa's various indicators, including economic level and international status, plummeted. Now, South Africa has become a developing country.

Although the development of mushroom bombs in South Africa is not the only reason, it is the most important reason.

With this as a reference, we can imagine the greatness of China, because China successfully conquered the "two bombs and one satellite" in the face of numerous difficulties, technical blockades, and material blockades, and finally ushered in a new era.

If it weren't for this incident, South Africa would have been sanctioned. South Africa has a land area of ​​nearly 1.22 million square kilometers, and is surrounded by oceans on three sides. It has the world's busiest sea route, the Cape of Good Hope, and is rich in various mineral resources including gold and diamonds. Its gold reserves even rank first in the world. With its superior geographical location, rich mineral resources, and vast territory, these excellent basic conditions can make South Africa a developed country without any effort.

It can be said that South Africa paid a heavy price to develop mushroom bombs.