Chapter 402: A deposit of US$100 million
If your own is good, why buy someone else’s? It must be because my skills are not good enough!
This is too simple a truth.
But now, can Qin Tao admit it directly?
If our own submarine technology is not as good as that of Da Mao, then why don’t the Pyramid States directly purchase it from Da Mao? Anyway, now that the Red Empire is gone, if the Pyramid Country comes to purchase, Da Mao will definitely welcome it with applause.
However, if Qin Tao does not admit it, he is denying the fact. After all, he has already bought it and the goods arrived a few days ago.
"Mr. Mamish, you asked a very good question. In the past, our submarine technology was indeed not as good as that of Dalmao. Therefore, last year, we decided to purchase Kilo-class submarines from Dalmao. But now, We already have excellent submarine designers and advanced design concepts, so the submarines we are about to produce will have more advanced performance."
The Kilo-class submarine was purchased last year. Our submarine technology breakthrough came after that!
“As for whether it is advanced, you can ask Kvasa, he is the designer of the Kilo-class submarine. He can answer your question whether the technology of the submarine we are developing is ahead of the Kilo-class.”
Kvasa nodded: "In many fields, this submarine is currently more advanced. For example, the overall design, with a single hull in the front and a double hull in the back, is the biggest innovation. It is a product that combines the advantages of the East and the West. As for the internal supporting facilities, there has also been great progress. For example, it uses a twelve-phase generator, which is the most advanced technology only in Europe. The Kilo-class submarine is still the most common three-phase generator. Driven by the diesel engine, the electrical energy generated by this twelve-phase generator is more than twice that of the previous one."
A twelve-phase generator is definitely not four times as powerful as a simple three-phase generator. After all, when the coil cuts the magnetic field lines, it will also receive ampere force, which is the reaction force. The more phases, the greater the reaction force. However, There is no problem in doubling the efficiency of the generator.
"Since the performance of this submarine is so good, why do you continue to place an order for eight Kilo-class submarines?" Mamish actually did not agree with Qin Tao's point of view, even in front of his teacher Kvasa, Still raised his question.
While claiming that they have caught up, they are still secretly placing orders. What is going on? Fooling people?
A smile appeared on Qin Tao's face: "I think the news you got must be wrong. So far, we have no new domestic submarine orders. I can guarantee this. This year's procurement expenses have been used up. Domestic Submarine procurement will have to wait until at least next year.”
Those eight submarines were fooled by Lao Maozi, just to make them dog-eat-dog and disappoint the Red Solmovo Shipyard, and then sell the submarine production equipment to himself at a low price. Qin Tao did not expect that this rumor would actually spread.
He can’t say that he deceived Lao Maozi now, but he can say that China will definitely not continue to purchase weapons and equipment this year, especially large items such as submarines. You must have heard wrong.
Qin Tao's explanation is patient enough. If the other party still doesn't accept it, then Qin Tao doesn't want to continue to receive these guys and will go back to where they came from.
Fortunately, Mamish accepted it as soon as possible. Since these questions have been answered, he will not inquire further.
“Excuse me, do you have any questions?”
Hearing Qin Tao's question, Mamish thought for a while and then said: "Mr. Qin, at the defense exhibition last time, you talked about Stirling engines. We are very interested in this equipment. I don't know. Can you see it with your own eyes?”
Although there should be no big problems in the design with Lao Maozi's submarine designer, Mamish is still worried about some of the things Qin Tao promised. After all, China has not yet had an AIP submarine in service!
How is this Stirling engine?
Who knows whether the performance is good or not?
“We have one here, come with us.” Qin Tao said.
As for the Stirling engine, after it was introduced in China, the 711 Research Institute has been studying it. Brother units are currently considering integrating this engine into the 039 submarine, and the third design office of the Mingzhou Group is also engaged in submarine design. Maozi's submarine designer had never seen this kind of engine, so he couldn't design it, so Qin Tao coordinated one.
Stirling engine is a closed-cycle power device that does not rely on air. It has two pistons connected together through a crankshaft. The working fluid enclosed in the pipe between the two pistons is generally an inert gas.
The working principle is also very simple. The cylinder outside one of the piston can be heated. In this way, the expansion of the heated inert gas drives the piston to reciprocate, and then the piston drives the crankshaft to rotate. At the same time, the inert gas enters another cylinder with a heat sink. The inside is cooled and then pushed back by the piston to continue heating and start the next cycle.
In this way, power can be continuously outputted back and forth.
From its principle, the fuel is not burned internally, so it is an external combustion engine just like a steam turbine. Moreover, it is not picky and can be heated by anything.
On submarines, of course, local materials are used and diesel is used directly for heating.
However, only diesel cannot be burned, and oxygen is required. Therefore, a submarine with this power system needs to add a liquid oxygen tank.
However, in comparison, this method is still the safest.
For example, fuel cells require liquid hydrogen in addition to liquid oxygen. Liquid hydrogen is not only difficult to prepare, but also complicated to store.
As for the closed cycle diesel engine, not only liquid oxygen is required, but also special inert gas.
In addition to the convenience of fuel, another feature is low noise.
The hot end cylinder of the Stirling engine can be heated all the time and burned continuously, so there is no vibration like a diesel engine and it is very smooth.
However, although the theoretical efficiency of this kind of engine is very good, it is not very good in practical application. Low thermal efficiency and low power have become shortcomings that hinder its large-scale use.
Of course, these weaknesses are not terrible and can be improved through repeated research.
At this time, the investigators from the Pyramid Country followed the technical staff from the Third Design Office and came to a large room with a unique engine in the center.
There are various complex pipelines exposed on the outside, and the two huge cylinders are in a V-shaped layout, which looks very unique.
The cold end does not use simple heat sinks, but uses liquid heat dissipation. Therefore, the cylinders on both sides look the same, and are wrapped in a layer of stainless steel-like material, which looks shiny.
"The biggest disadvantage of this kind of engine is its low power, so currently we can only use four units in parallel to drive a generator together, which can allow the submarine to achieve an underwater speed of about four or five knots and last for more than 20 days. "Qin Tao said: "In the future, the power of this engine will gradually increase, which will bring a qualitative leap to submarines, and may even completely replace diesel engines in the end."
If the power is large enough, then this kind of submarine does not need to carry a diesel engine. It can directly drive the submarine with a Stirling engine. In the snorkel state, it consumes oxygen in the air, enters the water, and then consumes the energy it carries. liquid oxygen.
"There is another way." Krasnopolski, who has been silent for a long time, said: "We can install an ultra-small nuclear reactor on the submarine and use the heat from this reactor to heat the Stirling engine. In this case , the submarine has no need for oxygen and can sail underwater all the time.”
Karasnopolski is a nuclear reactor designer after all, so no matter what device it is, he can think from the perspective of a nuclear reactor.
Such a design is possible, but it feels like farting and taking off your pants. If a nuclear reactor can be used to heat a Stirling engine, why not use a nuclear reactor to directly drive the steam turbine?
However, the sizes of nuclear reactors required for the two are different. Krasnopolski’s idea may actually be realized.
Mamish nodded repeatedly: "Yes, that's right. Did you produce this engine yourself? Can you make it run?"
Just looking at the static display is not enough. Mamish also wants to see this engine running, and it must be made in China, so that it is practical.
“Sure, let’s start the machine.”
Technicians began to operate.
The machine made a gentle sound like an electric motor, and the shaft began to rotate. There was almost no vibration in the pipes connected outside.
“It’s great, this engine and submarine are a perfect match!”
“So, do you plan to purchase this kind of submarine with an AIP cabin?” Qin Tao asked again.
Having read it, maybe I can give you an answer!
"Mr. Qin, we want a detailed bidding document with the internal structure and parameters of various equipment clearly marked for our reference. We may choose to purchase this product," Mamish said.
Qin Tao shook his head: "Impossible."
impossible?
"Our submarine is top secret. Everything that can be announced has been announced at the defense exhibition." Qin Tao said: "What you want to take back for reference now is the instruction manual you took back last time. Unless you guys By placing a deposit now, we can provide more detailed product information.”
Qin Tao can be very honest with Lao Ba. Not only is the price right, but there is no problem with credit. However, for the pyramid country, it means paying with one hand and delivering the goods with the other hand. The other party does not spend a penny and wants to get some good things. ,That is impossible.
Qin Tao’s words are unequivocal.
“So, how much is the deposit?” Mamish asked.
“One hundred million.”
Mamish frowned. Such a high deposit is unacceptable!
“Mr. Qin, in the current international arms market, the maximum deposit is 20%. The deposit you require is a bit high,” Mamish said.
"Because there are many of our secrets in it." Qin Tao said: "This is an advanced piece of equipment whose performance exceeds that of the Kilo-class submarine. Once its detailed design is leaked, it will give our competitors ideas for improvement. It will cause us heavy losses.”
Qin Tao said it with confidence, we have given you the design drawings, who knows what you will do? What if I take the detailed information and go to the Germans to bargain?
“Mr. Qin, this kind of transaction is very unfriendly to us. Only when we get the detailed information can we know whether it is suitable for us,” Mamish said.
Qin Tao smiled: "For you, as long as you have the current technical data, it is enough. Giving you detailed information is actually of no use. Looking at the whole world, there is no conventional diesel-electric submarine that is better than us. , we can guarantee that after the submarine is manufactured, if the performance cannot meet these data, a full refund will be provided."
This is the only thing Qin Tao can guarantee. We have this confidence. We can make as many knots as we can and make as many decibels as we can make noise. You don’t need to worry about the rest.
“However, when we purchase weapons and equipment from the United States, we have never encountered such harsh contract terms.” An officer next to Mamish spoke.
“That’s right, you can also purchase from the United States. Why come to us?”
The other person choked back with one sentence.
The weapons of the United States are very advanced, and the products that appear on the international arms market are even more popular. For example, the F-16 fighter jet is much cheaper than the Mirage 2000, and its performance is much higher. Even second-hand goods that have been eliminated by many countries have become incense. cake.
However, when it comes to submarines, the United States really has nothing to offer.
The reason is also very simple. The United States does not produce conventional diesel-electric submarines.
When nuclear submarine technology matured, the United States fell in love with submarines that could have unlimited endurance underwater. Therefore, all their conventional submarines were eliminated, and all underwater submarines were nuclear submarines.
This also means that the United States has lost its ability to design and build conventional submarines.
Many of the weapons of the Pyramid State are purchased from the United States, but when it comes to submarines, they really don't have this shortcut.
What’s next?
British or French? The prices are ridiculously expensive! German? Even if Germany's 209 submarine is an evergreen tree in the international submarine market, the 209 submarine does not have the performance of the current Mingzhou Group submarine.
For all submarine captains, they wish that their submarines could stay underwater all the time, and even the snorkel should not be exposed. This is the safest way.
However, conventional submarines can only rely on batteries underwater. After a period of time, they have to float up to the snorkel state and turn on the diesel engine to charge. This is also the most dangerous time.
Although various countries are developing AIP technology, it has not yet been put into practical use. The foreign trade submarine of Mingzhou Group in front of you is the first AIP device installed on a submarine, which can allow conventionally powered submarines to stay underwater for more than 20 days. , which is a pretty impressive performance.
It is precisely because of this performance that the Pyramid Country decided to come to the East to purchase. However, they did not expect that the other party's conditions would be so harsh!
They originally planned to pay a deposit of several million, then take the information back and study it in detail. As for leaking it to their competitors, they had not thought about it for the time being. But now, the other party has made a condition, should they agree?
“Mr. Qin, we come here with sincerity, please give us a preferential condition.” Mamish said.
“We are also here to receive you with sincerity. I have so many things to do every day, but I still take time to accompany you. Isn’t that not sincere enough?”
Qin Tao was very disdainful.
These guys are so good at what they get! Accompanying them on their visit is enough to give them face.
“I don’t know if this kind of submarine has been ordered by your navy?” asked an officer from the Pyramid State.
"Everyone, this is our military secret." Qin Tao said: "However, since you asked, I can also tell you that in our country, its number is 039B."
Since there is no need to pay taxes for bragging, Qin Tao's casual talk is not considered leaking military secrets. Moreover, the other party cannot ask for confirmation. If they go to the navy for confirmation, the navy will definitely tell them that they have no comment!
Domestic submarines have been widely used since the 033, to the development of the 035 submarine, and now, the first submarine of the 039 has just been built, which can be regarded as a rough road.
At the same time, the random flowers are becoming more and more charming. Although 039 is an advanced submarine in China, there are also different models, and the displacement of the front and rear can even differ by half. One has to wonder whether the number 039 is still used to avoid irritating potential opponents. In fact, it has already happened. great changes.
This submarine of the Mingzhou Group has not entered the navy's sequence at all. However, Qin Tao still calls it 039B. Maybe in the future, he will really get this number. If he changes the hat of the control tower, it will become 039C.
In short, their submarine is much more powerful than the 039 submarine that the Navy is currently most looking forward to.
Mamish and others seem to be making up their minds.
Qin Tao did not disturb them and watched them chattering quickly. After more than ten minutes, Mamish finally spoke.
“Mr. Qin, we are willing to pay US$100 million to obtain its detailed information. After we officially start construction, this money should be converted into procurement funds, right?”
If by then, Qin Tao says that this money is the data fee, then they should cry.
"Of course. I have already said that this is a deposit. It seems that you are planning to purchase 200 million AIP submarines?"
Since you want to buy it, of course you have to buy the most suitable one. The performance of this AIP submarine is the closest to that of a nuclear submarine. This is also the trump card product launched by Mingzhou Group. Sure enough, it was finally recognized by the navy of the pyramid country.
This process must be followed now. This kind of arms sales cannot be decided by just a few people. They will go back with the information and then go through various procedures and procedures in the country before they can continue.
However, with a deposit of 100 million U.S. dollars, the contract is complete. If the other party does not want it in the end, the deposit of 100 million U.S. dollars will never be refunded.
(I checked specifically. In English, deposit and deposit are the same word, so readers don’t have to worry. Foreigners’ language is not rich and there are not so many twists and turns. Anyway, the protagonist said it, and the pronunciation is correct. That’s fine. Suddenly I remembered a novel in which the protagonist eavesdropped on someone’s conversation, and then recognized that it was her who was a woman, not him who was a man!)
This project has been carried out for the time being. Originally, Qin Tao was worried about the plate rolling machine and other production equipment. Unexpectedly, these Chinese people from the Pyramid who are meticulous in some aspects and very nervous in other aspects have never thought about the Mingzhou Group. Do you have the ability to produce submarines?
For them, the matter is over.
"Mr. Qin, I wonder if you are familiar with the aviation department?" Mamish continued to ask, which made Qin Tao curious. These people want to see the aviation department?
K-8 training aircraft, the entire production line was exported to the pyramid countries, but that was already in the late 1990s. The current military of the pyramid countries really does not have much to do with the domestic aviation sector.
“Excuse me, what other plans do you have?”
Qin Tao is a bit familiar and can take them to see it. However, the domestic J-7 and J-8 are probably not favored by the other party either! Fighting ten and fighting eleven, there is no possibility of exporting it yet. What are these people doing here?
To Qin Tao's surprise, the other party said: "We have heard about your J-31A project, so we want to go and inspect it in person. If it is suitable, we also have ideas to invest in it."
Hmm, this is it? Qin Tao was a little surprised and a little amused. How could he forget this fighter plane? All the ideas are my own!
In Qin Tao's original plan, the Parthian Kingdom must be wooed. This is a big financial backer. Although Lao Ba is also a potential customer, Lao Ba is poor. If he really invests in such an expensive fighter plane, Lao Ba will not Must be able to afford the equipment.
As for other users, Qin Tao has not considered it yet. He is not surprised that those like Dassault take advantage.
Now, I didn’t expect that the Pyramid Country would also be interested in this project!
“I know the person in charge of this project and I can take you there. How much do you plan to invest?”
Qin Tao first needs to ask clearly. If the other party plans to invest millions or tens of millions, then forget it. It is not worth leading the trip by himself. If the other party plans to invest hundreds of millions of dollars, then it is okay.
“We plan to invest $100 million,” Mamish said.
Anyway, when you come here to order a submarine, the deposit is 100 million. If you order two submarines, the total price is 400 million. Therefore, they invested 100 million to invest in the J-31A plan, which does not seem to be much.
However, if he thinks of the financial situation of the pyramid country, Qin Tao becomes more cautious: "Are you sure you want to invest 100 million US dollars? How do you plan to pay for this money?"
"Our current economic situation is not good, but we want to support your plan. Therefore, we want to ask your bank to give us a loan to invest in this project. We will slowly repay it in the future. ." Mamish said.
Qin Tao almost laughed out of anger, okay, is this a white wolf coming with nothing?
"If this is your intention, then there is no need to go." Qin Tao refused bluntly: "If a bank loan is provided, then why don't our J-31A R&D team directly seek a bank loan? Why go through What procedure are you going through? Once the research and development is completed and the fighter jets are sold, you can repay the loan. If you pay it back slowly, what are you going to use to repay it?"
(End of this chapter)