Chapter 331: Exposing the shady story of arms procurement
"Hello everyone, this is Defense Observation. Our last program, Kiev Aircraft Carrier Park, was well received after it was broadcast." The host in military uniform looked so handsome: "Today, we have invited again Teacher Zhang is our guest, everyone is welcome!"
“Hello everyone, my name is Zhang Zhong. Today, we are going to talk about a new topic, which is the Lavante-class frigate.”
Lafitte-class frigate!
When the audience in front of the TV saw this, the domestic audience who were familiar with the inside story had already clenched their fists. They knew what this frigate represented, but some foreign spectators' expressions changed, wondering what Zhang Zhong was going to say.
"Let's first introduce the name. French warships are usually named after people, such as the most famous Charles de Gaulle aircraft carrier. As for Lavente, he was a French American Continental Army major general in the 18th century, a hero of the American Revolutionary War, and a former French citizen Commander-in-Chief of the Army and the National Guard and leader of the French Constitutionalists, the Marquis de Lavent." Zhang Zhong looked knowledgeable.
“In other words, the French warship has an American name?” The host followed up.
"Yes, you can say that." Zhang Zhong had a consistent smile on his face: "That's it for introducing the name. Let's go on to introduce this warship. According to the French propaganda, this warship is the first in the world. A warship designed with stealth in mind.”
“Teacher Zhang, is there a problem with this?”
"This is not a big problem. After all, the Lafitte-class frigate has been brewing since 1981 and was officially designed in 1984. It is indeed the first frigate in the world to consider stealth design, but... like other French weapons, this warship So far, there is still no official equipment for the troops." Zhang Zhong said: "If we want to say that the world's first warship with a stealth design and is still in service, then our 022-class missile boat should be the first one. In fact, even Our current destroyer No. 115 will probably enter service earlier than the Lafitte-class frigates."
"In other words, this French warship has not been in service since 1981 until now, even in 1993? We all say that it takes ten years to sharpen a sword, but this Lavente-class frigate has actually been used for more than ten years. It is incredible. ah!"
"Yes, but this has always been very French. Not to mention frigates, even aircraft carriers, such as France's Charles de Gaulle. Military fans should all know about it." Zhang Zhong continued to introduce: "This warship, from Planning began in the 1970s, and the project was officially approved in 1980. However, it was not until 1987 that the first steel plate was cut. Now, in 1993, six years have passed, and this aircraft carrier has still not been launched. It may still have to wait. One or two years. Compared with the aircraft carrier we built for Siam and the modification of our Kiev aircraft carrier park, you can see how procrastinating the French are in doing things."
"It seems that a country with a romantic spirit has never considered the progress when it comes to building warships." When the host said this, he suddenly thought of something: "In other words, the Lavent, which has already received orders, is still No finished product?”
"Yes." Zhang Zhong nodded: "There are many special features of this arms sales project. The buyer gave up the originally mature Ulsan-class light frigate of the Nam Kimchi Kingdom, and instead purchased such a warship that has not yet been commissioned. People are confused. Moreover, there are many problems that normal people cannot understand."
"Really? Then take this opportunity today to analyze it for us?"
Zhang Zhong’s analysis is very thorough.
"In 1988, after the buyer had already decided to purchase the Ulsan-class frigate, it suddenly decided to give up and purchase the Lafitte-class frigate. In 1988, the Lafitte-class was still on the drawing board. This was the situation. Isn’t it strange that the French dared to bid on it, and the buyer actually took a fancy to it?" Zhang Zhong said: "Even if you go to the vegetable market to buy a cabbage, you still have to be picky. ? Who can just see a picture of Chinese cabbage and go to a vegetable seller to buy it, what if it is a rotten cabbage? "
“Then there must be a suitable reason at that time, right?”
"Yes, according to what was said at the time, the reason was that the price was cheap. Their first quotation was 1.225 billion francs per warship. If we look at it according to our standards, the price is still quite expensive. After all, we have built two 052-class destroyers. , and it didn’t cost so much, but for the buyer, this is pie in the sky. But what?”
Zhang Zhong showed a meaningful smile to the camera: "By this year, when they officially signed the contract, the price of each warship had risen to 2.64 billion francs. In other words, the price had more than doubled, and six ships The price of the warship, plus some supporting ammunition, has reached a sky-high price of 16 billion francs. Even if we take inflation into account, the price increase should not exceed 10%, which makes us curious. The purchaser didn't have any questions and agreed to it all. What does this mean? We bought Chinese cabbage for two cents a piece at the vegetable market for one yuan, and we didn't feel like we were cheated."
“Yes, it’s a bit strange to say this.”
"Then, let's take a look at the configuration of this Lavent frigate." Zhang Zhong continued to talk: "Its displacement is close to four thousand tons, and it does not use a gas turbine, but directly uses four diesel engines. Its maximum speed , which is about 25 knots, which is quite different from the international mainstream speed of 30 knots."
"Its weapons and equipment are also very sparse. Except for the radar equipment and naval guns on it, nothing else is installed. In other words, what the purchaser bought is almost an empty shell. Think about it, it costs a lot of money. You spend one dollar to buy Chinese cabbage, but what’s the result? What you buy is just a bunch of Chinese cabbage, without the most delicious cabbage heart!”
“No other equipment?”
“Yes, the Exocet anti-ship missiles and Sea Sidewinder anti-ship missiles that the French are most proud of have not been installed. Just like this, 2.64 billion francs per ship is paid. I think the price of 640 million francs is high enough.”
“Yes, but is there really no shortage of swindlers in this world? Or is there some inside story?”
Zhang Zhong smiled again: "There must be some inside story, but it's not convenient for us to tell it on the show. Arms transactions are never upright, and there are bound to be a lot of shady things involved. However, the truth It’s the truth, and the truth will definitely come out one day.”
After this episode was broadcast, it immediately made a breakthrough in the global arms sales field and attracted the attention of countless people. Other military commentators saw that this topic was hot and joined in one after another.
For the sake of the program's ratings and for themselves to become more famous, they must seize the spotlight.
In this way, the sensational Lavent frigate bribery case appeared in many newspapers and magazines.
Those formal media dare not speak too frankly for fear of being implicated. However, the third-rate media is different. Their reporters can give full play to their imagination and continue to dig out the things behind this appearance.
some where.
"There must be an inside story to this procurement. There are many unreasonable procurement items in it. The biggest problem is that the price is too high. Even though we are subject to many restrictions in external procurement, the price is still inappropriate. After all, France is short of funds and has only purchased five Lavent frigates. They can only make money by selling them."
A person turned to the tape recorder and began to record his analysis.
Snapped! The record button of the tape recorder was flicked up, and the tape was already full of memories.
Just when he was about to turn over and continue recording, the phone rang.
“Hello? Neihu Soybean Milk Store? Okay, I’ll be there right away!”
The man walked out of the room, got into a car, and the next day his body was found on the beach.
Click, click!
The reporter's camera kept taking pictures of this man's body, which gave some people who heard the news a headache. Why did this body float back? And, where did these reporters get the news?
They took control of the scene, took the body away, and then announced to the public that the man had slipped and fell into the water!
But then, he was slapped in the face by countless newspapers.
There are photos taken, and even forensic doctors are among them. They can conclude that this person was severely beaten during his lifetime!
Huating.
Qin Tao sat in the car, looking at the latest issue of the newspaper, looking at the man's photo, and couldn't help but shake his head.
“Destroying people’s wealth and killing their parents, is this something that you, a small director, can intervene in?”
Hearing Qin Tao's sigh like a cat crying over a mouse, Xu Zhengyang took over the conversation: "We have obtained the tape, which contains a lot of sensational news. When will the news be released?"
"Did you get the tape?" Qin Tao had a smile on his face: "What else can I say? Send it out quickly. By the way, I also have a list here. Let's publish it in the newspaper. I don't want to see anyone else the most. If they are killed, publish the list of these people and let them escape quickly.”
Xu Zhengyang’s mouth twitched a few times. What did you say? Publish the list of these people and let them escape? This is to make them all the same as the person who committed suicide!
“Understood. Mr. Qin, we are here.”
The car stopped in front of a white building with green windows and large red letters: Mechanical and Electrical Building. This was an early building in the Evernight City business district and was quite famous.
Qin Tao took Xu Zhengyang to the inside of the building, took the elevator to the 18th floor.
“Only foreigners don’t mind renting this kind of floor. If our domestic merchants hear the name of the 18th floor, they will curse.” Xu Zhengyang sighed with emotion.
“What’s wrong with Shiba? What a good name. It’s about to be published. Those guys don’t understand this. No wonder they can’t do big business.”
This is a dedicated business building. After entering, there are signs everywhere. Most of them on the 18th floor are in foreign languages.
“That’s the SNR Bearing Company over there.” Xu Zhengyang pointed to one of the brands and said.
Qin Tao said he was coming to buy bearings, so he came with him. In fact, he was also curious in his heart. If he just bought a few bearings, it would not be Qin Tao's turn to personally take action, even if it was the most important thing. The bearings used on the Whale are not that bad either!
"Is your manager here? We want to buy your most expensive bearings." After entering, Qin Tao directly explained his purpose, and soon he was taken into the manager's office inside.
“We, SNR Bearings, were born in 1916 and are a long-established bearing manufacturer in Europe.” Kingsley, a Frenchman opposite, said with confidence and arrogance on his face: “You are the wisest to choose our bearings.”
Qin Tao named several bearing models, and Kingsley became serious. He knew what these bearings meant.
“What do you need these bearings for?”
"Isn't this a question that suppliers like you should ask?" Qin Tao said: "We can guarantee that it is used in civilian facilities. Moreover, we will pay sufficient remuneration, unlike some companies that have obviously I promised to give you enough profits, but in the end I made excuses to reject it.”
When he heard Qin Tao's words, Kingsley's expression immediately changed: "What are you talking about? I didn't understand."
"Recently, the Lavent frigate has been publicized a lot. So, Thomson Company used this reason to refuse the commission for you? This kind of company is so abominable. I think you only have Threaten them to go to court to get the commission.”
At this time, Kingsley was even more shocked: "Where are you from? How do you know this kind of thing?"
"We? We are your good friends!" Qin Tao stood up with a smile: "We have a sense of justice and support you spiritually. We must not let liar companies like Thomson succeed!"
Kingsley sent Qin Tao and others to the elevator. After returning, he immediately made a call.
“This SNR company is also related to this arms sale?”
"Yes, they are the pimps." Qin Tao said: "They brought people from Thomson Company to contact customers, and also participated in subsequent negotiations. According to their previous agreement, Thomson The company has to pay them a lot of money, but..."
"Isn't this Thomson company too dark?" Xu Zhengyang was a little puzzled: "Everyone can make money when it comes to this kind of project, hello, me, hello, everyone, why do they need to do this? Aren't they afraid of making things worse? "
“They have no choice, because there are still many mouths to feed behind them. As a result, they can only feel wronged by SNR Company.”
“How can this be done? Something will happen if you do this.”
"Yes, we just have to watch the progress of this matter. If they can't get the commission, they will have to go to court. During the court hearing, they will give evidence to each other. This SNR company will disclose the entire inside story. from."
This is the revenge of a pimp who was fooled! Since you can’t get money, no one else can have a good life either!
"Mr. Qin, how do you know these inside stories? We haven't even investigated these!" Xu Zhengyang said with some surprise.
"Me? Of course I knew it through other arms dealers. I knew it a few years ago. At that time, you were still protecting the female witness at the Oriental Pearl, right?"
“What Oriental Pearl, what female witness? I’ve always been working in the capital, okay?”
The arms sales case of the Lavent frigate has been in constant turmoil.
When a third-rate tabloid revealed the relevant stakeholders, it caused a lot of uproar. Some people had run away, some were still there, and some had died in mysterious circumstances. The reporters worked tirelessly , digging out a lot of secrets and tracking the people on the list. In the process, a reporter even disappeared mysteriously.
With such a deal, even a shark in the Pacific Ocean will know that there must be something shady about this arms sale.
Of course, this is not the most fatal blow.
When the French SNR company took Thomson to court, more people were shocked. They definitely did not expect that there was such big news!
The topic of the lawsuit between the two parties is that Thomson Company owes SNR Company commissions! What commission? It’s the commission from this Lavent frigate purchase case!
The French police's approach is commendable. There was no case of missing witnesses. In the court, the two sides argued with each other and gave evidence to each other. Every shocking piece of information was revealed.
The entire arms sales project is 16 billion francs, of which there is actually a commission of 5 billion francs! The real procurement cost is only 11 billion francs.
Where did the rest of the money go?
SNR Company asked for one-fifth of the commission, but Thomson Company refused. They could only provide the whereabouts of various commissions. So, only a week after the court session, a larger-scale investigation began.
Now, not only third-rate tabloids, but also regular newspapers have begun to report on it.
The case of the century!
A disgrace to the civilized world!
Various headlines came out, many officials were dragged into the water, and the fig leaf was constantly torn off.
The eyes of the whole world are focused on this arms sale. Even laymen will comment on it, lamenting the profits of this arms trade and lamenting that so many people have been ruined by sugar-coated bullets.
This incident became the biggest news in 1993.
As for Qin Tao, who single-handedly promoted this news, he hid and ate melon while sighing: "Oh, really, our Kiev aircraft carrier park has been overshadowed! Our aircraft carrier field has also been overshadowed. Wow, these people are really going too far!”
“Mr. Qin, do you have any plans to go to the capital recently?” Xu Zhengyang interrupted the sighing Qin Tao.
“Why are you going to the capital?”
“In a few years, we will take back the Oriental Pearl. Each service branch is finalizing its own weapons and equipment. Our navy also plans to display our most modern weapons in front of the citizens of the Oriental Pearl.”
“Another arms bidding?”
(End of this chapter)