Chapter 333: Selection of the Best
"Chairman, we have reached an agreement with the three ministries and the Air Force. On the basis that the Soviet Union does not attach any political intentions, we can import a batch of MiG-23 fighter jets from the Soviet Union. It would be best to send our personnel to Moscow for inspection now." Defense Minister General Xu came to report to Mr. Deng with a thick stack of documents, the ministers of the three machine-building ministries and the person in charge of Shenfei.
"Oh? Since we have decided, let's go to Moscow to investigate." Deng Gong said: "Although we need to catch up with economic construction as soon as possible, we can't slow down our military construction. We have this opportunity to improve our military equipment, and we must seize it."
This time, of course, has a profound significance. Going to the Soviet Union for inspection is a step to break the iceberg. The differences between the two sides have been eliminated, and the threat from the north has disappeared. For China, the first thing is to cut one million troops, which will save a lot of military expenses! Moreover, if this deal can be reached, Deng Gong's trip to Moscow can also be prepared.
Deng tapped the table with his pen cap, thought for a moment, and continued, "What about the United States? We can't completely trust the Soviet Union. How are the performance of American fighter planes?"
Of course, Mr. Deng was considering more far-sighted strategic issues. Now, the first country to extend an olive branch to China was the United States! The United States promised to provide China with a large number of weapons, almost all free of charge. Although China did not approve of that approach, the door to the West had been opened, and China could buy weapons from the United States at any time. In this case, it was necessary to compare prices, right?
Hearing Mr. Deng's question, General Xu coughed. He had not thought of importing from the United States, so he was not familiar with the intelligence of American military aircraft. When Mr. Deng asked this question, he was immediately stuck. He couldn't help but turn his head to look behind him. As if he understood his request for help, Mr. Tang, the person in charge of Shenfei, immediately came up and said: "Report to the Chairman, we have also studied the fighters provided by the Americans. Their F-16 fighters seem to be more advanced than the Soviet ones. Their fighters use the latest design concepts of the 1970s, winglets, wing-body fusion, and static instability. These are all the most advanced technologies. The MiG-23 provided by the Soviets is the technology of the 1960s. No matter how it is improved, it cannot be compared with the most advanced fighters in the United States. So, I think we can also consider the American F-16."
"Yes, Chairman. The Soviet Union has posed a huge threat to us, and now it is trying to show goodwill to us. We can't blindly believe in our big brother like we did in the past. Since the United States can provide us with advanced fighter jets, while we are considering the Soviet MiG-23, we should also examine the American F-16 at the same time to see which fighter jet is most suitable for us." The Minister of the Third Ministry of Machine Building also said beside him.
Instantly, President Tang knew that it seemed that the Minister of the Third Machine Department had also met with the Americans. However, he carefully looked at the aircraft data. If it was really as described in these data, the performance of this F-16 fighter was indeed good. Without looking at other things, the integrated cockpit cover and side stick control were quite advanced, and it could also achieve 9G overload!
Hearing what the two said, General Xu frowned immediately: "Our current system is still the Soviet system. If we introduce it from the United States, the entire system will change, and more funds will be needed. Moreover, if the United States changes its attitude towards us in the future and does not provide us with more logistical support, we will be in trouble."
The older generation will never forget how the Americans have dealt with China over the years. The Korean War was a direct confrontation with the United States! Now, the reason why the two sides stand together is to fight against the Soviet Union. If the Soviet Union gives up its attitude towards China, why should China be a bridgehead for the United States? If we introduce American fighter jets, we will be controlled by others at any time in the future.
What's going on with these two people? They didn't discuss the issue of American fighter planes before coming here?
"General Xu, we are not saying that we must introduce them. We are saying that we can compare the two sides and select the best one. Now, both the United States and the Soviet Union are trying to win us over. Isn't this our opportunity?" said the Minister of the Third Ministry of Machine Building.
"Yes, now is our chance." Deng Gong said, "We can inspect American and Soviet fighters at the same time. Let's do this. Shenfei will inspect the MiG-23, and Chengdu Aircraft Corporation will send people to inspect the American F-16."
Chengfei? Hearing this, President Tang was stunned. No, Chengfei went to inspect. What if the people at Chengfei were not satisfied? And once introduced, it was Chengfei who inspected. What if the fighter production was set up in Chengfei?
"Report to the Chairman, this overseas inspection is a rare opportunity. Only when we open our doors and move towards the world can we broaden our horizons. The Soviet model is completely different from that of the United States. Can we only make a comparison if the same group of people inspect the MiG-23 and F-16 at the same time?" President Tang said cautiously.
We must strive to give Shen Fei the opportunity to go to the United States. Only by conducting an investigation with the same group of people can we make an objective analysis!
Like this? Mr. Deng thought for a moment and said, "Okay, that's right. Then Shenfei and Chengfei will each send some people to go to the United States first, and then to Moscow!"
Shooting oneself in the foot, originally, the introduction of fighter jets had nothing to do with Chengfei, but now it seems that no matter what the outcome is, Chengfei will benefit from it! After leaving the office, President Tang was still extremely depressed.
"Chairman, I still think that we cannot trust the Americans. At least, we cannot let the Americans interfere in our national defense security." General Xu did not leave. He still wanted to lobby Mr. Deng. From the military's point of view, he was unwilling to equip himself with American fighter jets!
After all, importing from the United States is, first, expensive, and second, the United States will not export all of them. Engines and avionics are all imported from the United States in batches. In the future, if there is a conflict with the United States, the fighter jets may be grounded at any time due to lack of spare parts.
"If we want to go abroad, we must liberate our minds. No matter whether it is capitalist or socialist, we must take what is beneficial to us." Mr. Deng lit a cigarette and said to General Xu.
"In short, our army will not be equipped with American weapons. The danger is too great." General Xu continued. As an absolute supporter of Mr. Deng, General Xu would not compromise on matters of principle.
"Old Xu, why don't you understand?" Deng Gong took a puff of his cigarette and said to General Xu, "If we don't mobilize a large number of troops to go to the United States, how can we lower the price to the Soviets? Our country is poor, and when we are poor, we want to change. We must spend the least cost to introduce the most suitable fighter planes for us. This is a difficult task, you must do your best to complete it! In addition, the Soviet Defense Minister Ustinov likes to drink very much. This time we go to the Soviet Union for inspection. The drinking place is like a battlefield. We must be prepared."
"Yes!" General Xu's words were already filled with joy.