Chapter 594: Can’t fly, just show off muscles on the ground
At this time, after hearing Qin Tao's question, Grishin nodded: "Yes, the base there is closed, but there are still Tu-22M bombers in stock in the base, and we want to sell them to you. The bombers were sealed there.”
“Are you sure it’s sealed rather than scrapped?” Qin Tao asked rhetorically.
“That’s right, of course it’s sealed.”
“Okay, let’s go over and have a look.” Qin Tao’s heart was filled with excitement.
Where is Zavitinsk? Amur region! Where is the Amur region? Far East! My old friend Nicholas is in the Far East. When I get there, I feel like I have returned to my hometown.
After such a long time, Nicholas is still in the Pacific Fleet and has not been transferred to Moscow. It is said that his superiors wanted to promote him several times, but he was unwilling to do so. It was easier to make money by staying in the Far East.
In the evening of that day, the special plane landed on the runway in Zavitinsk. Although the base was shut down, there were still a group of personnel staying behind. Lieutenant Migrodsky was the person in charge who was transferred three months ago.
"Welcome everyone." Migrodsky was very happy. In this desolate place, it is rare to see superior leaders, and it is rare to see senior officials like Grishin once in a lifetime.
“We want to come and see the bombers sealed here. They are all national property. Are they being carefully guarded by you?” Grishin asked.
This is his only worry.
After the collapse of the Red Empire, Da Mao has always been in chaos. Self-guarding and theft occurred from time to time, and it was impossible to investigate the truth afterwards. Forget about other things, the Tu-22M bomber is the main force of Da Mao's bombers, and there must be no accidents!
"Of course, please rest assured that we have been carefully guarding these aircraft and there will never be any accidents." Migrodsky said: "We know that when the economy improves in the future, these aircraft of ours may fly again. Up in the sky.”
Grishn nodded with satisfaction.
A group of people came to the front of the hangar. The door was already rusty. When it was opened, it made a tooth-softening creaking sound. The moist breath rushed towards them. The huge Tu-22M bomber appeared in front of everyone. before.
The plane was towed directly in, so what you see now is the chrysanthemum of the plane. The position of the two huge engines is quite spectacular, and a person can stand inside! The big guys in the Red Empire era were so rough.
etc!
There seems to be some problem in this chrysanthemum?
The two sides are different!
One side can see the afterburner inside, while the other side is empty. You can see the rectangular air inlet on the other side from this side!
“Mr. Grishen, your storage method is really unique. There is no cover, and even the engine is missing. Did you remove the engine when you sealed it?”
Grishon also frowned.
He didn’t expect that the state here was so bad!
Even if the bombers that are about to be scrapped are provided to the Easterners, they must at least be kept intact, right? This is missing an engine, which cannot be justified in any case.
Was it deliberately demolished by the seal? Then why was only one removed?
Grishen's mind was quickly thinking of reasons, and he thought of several in a row, but none of them were very suitable. At this time, Qin Tao and the people he brought with him were already continuing to inspect the plane.
A canopy in the cockpit of the aircraft has disappeared without a trace, and the equipment in the cockpit is also seriously missing. A finished vodka bottle was even found in the gap between the seats.
"How could this happen? Migrodsky, what is going on?" Grishin looked at the person in charge of the base angrily.
Migrodsky's face turned pale: "I am reporting to Mr. Grishin that since I came here, I have been guarding the outside. This is the first time I opened the hangar door after I was transferred here. Inside is What the situation is, I don’t know.”
After all, he has only been here for three months, so don’t hold the blame on his head. It was clearly the previous one who did it, or maybe the previous one didn’t even know that it was done by his soldiers. These soldiers who guarded the place were always very courageous. , for a few bottles of vodka, the entire plane can be dismantled and sold!
"Maybe this aircraft is not sealed. Let's look at other hangars." Briznuko, who was traveling with him, was also dumbfounded. He still had hope. Maybe the aircraft in other hangars were intact?
The hangar next to it was opened. This one is okay, both engines are there!
However, when they came to the front of the plane, the nose radome disappeared without a trace, and the most expensive Leninez PN-AD radar on the nose was gone!
"Mr. Grishen, with all due respect, even if we are well prepared, half of the second-hand planes we bought may not be able to take off, but these planes in front of us still exceed the limit of our tolerance. I think, this time Let’s forget about the deal, if we buy a plane like this for 20 million US dollars and go back, we are wasting money.”
Both of them are like this, and the other planes are not much better. These are obviously junk, but the old man still wants to sell them at a high price? What a joke!
Grishen was also completely speechless. Although the planes here were going to be scrapped, they at least had to remain intact. The planes in front of him were not capable of flying at all, and they were not good enough to fool people.
Over the years, the guards at the base have been stealing from others. What should we do now?
“We won’t waste your time.” Qin Tao said, “Goodbye!”
“Mr. Qin, don’t leave, we still have something to discuss!”
"I'm going to visit my old friends. I hope you can come up with a practical plan this evening. We don't want to be deceived!"
Old friend?
Grishin reacted immediately: Qin always wanted to find Nikolai, maybe he could get Nikolai to help him as a lobbyist!
The night was dark, and there were only a few dim lights in the Pacific Fleet base. Nicholas looked at Qin Tao happily: "Qin, my friend, you have been too busy in the past two years and you have hardly had time to see me."
"Yes, there have been a lot of bad things happening in China in the past few years. Since last year, we have been stimulated. The navy must develop, and our Mingzhou Group must play a key role in it." Qin Tao said: "So, listen He said that you were willing to sell the Tu-22M to us, so he came over immediately. Unexpectedly, he actually wanted to sell us rags! If we paid the rag price, we would have bought it for 20 million US dollars a piece. We should not be taken advantage of. !”
“Yes, I heard about it too.”
“Have you heard? Who said it?”
“Before you came, Grishin called me for half an hour, hoping that I could convince you not to go to Ermao to purchase bombers.”
Qin Tao felt happy for a while. This Nicholas was so interesting. He sold Grishin in a blink of an eye. However, when he was selling things in the past, Grishin often jumped out and made trouble. No one didn't hate him. It is normal for Nikolai to do this now.
However, Nikolai cannot be completely trusted. If Nikolai can tell him Grishin's true thoughts, it is also possible for him to tell Grishin his true thoughts!
"Nikolai, you also know that we are currently repairing the Varyag domestically, and we need to equip it with enough carrier-based aircraft. The Air Force is also constantly purchasing third-generation aircraft. In fact, we don't have much funds at all. On this flashy bomber project.”
Nicholas thought for a moment and then nodded. Yes, Mao Zedong can no longer maintain a huge military force. How can it be so easy for Dongfang to develop an aircraft carrier fleet? It is foreseeable that Dongfang does not have enough funds.
"It's just that we suffered interference from outside forces last year. If we want to complete our mission, we must tighten our belts even if we don't have money." Qin Tao said, "Especially the Tu-22M bomber. This kind of aircraft was used specifically to deal with American aircraft carrier formations during the Red Empire era. If we have twenty of them, it will greatly enhance our ability to resist interference from foreign forces!"
Nicholas nodded: "Yes, you do have this need."
"You don't even need to fly. As long as you can display it on the ground, you can scare others into throwing traps and not coming to trouble." Qin Tao said: "The batch of scrapped Tu-22M, if it can be used with suitable If the price is sold to us, for example, twenty million dollars in total, we can accept it. We can buy it back and put it in the hangar, and drag it out when needed to scare people. If it is more expensive, we will have no choice. We can only go to Ermao to try our luck, especially since Ermao still has White Swans there, so even if we sell them, we still have to buy a few."
Buying one for 20 million US dollars is not cheap. If you buy back the entire base's twenty Tu-22Ms, each one costs 1 million US dollars. It is worth it. Although it is still far more than the price of scrap metal, but... As long as you can save one of these scrapped planes, it will be worth it!
“If you bought these planes at a cheap price, wouldn’t you go to Ermao?” Nikolai quickly grasped the key.
"Of course." Qin Tao said: "After all, for us, we simply don't have the ability to maintain a large bomber force now. Our main task at the moment is to build an aircraft carrier formation. Nikolay, my friend, you should have heard Is our Mingzhou Group’s advanced air defense ship equipped with a four-sided phased array radar on the slipway?”
Nicholas nodded: "Yes, the four-sided phased array, combined with the vertical launch device, is really too advanced. We are all looking at it with envy."
Since the collapse of the Red Empire, Da Mao has been in decline. The once huge Pacific Fleet has also declined rapidly. At its peak, it was the size of two Kiev-class aircraft carriers. What about now? The largest in their fleet now is the cruiser Admiral Lazarev. This warship once bore the name of Frunze. When it came to the Far East from the Baltic Sea in 1985, it caused a huge sensation.
But this warship's good times did not last long. In 1994, it stopped all combat duties and lay down in the port. It will be officially decommissioned this year. Of course, Lao Maozi was reluctant to part with this powerful battlecruiser. In 2014, he planned to refit it, but after calculation, it cost 1.5 billion US dollars, so he had to give up. In 21 years, the warship was finally dismantled. Its fate has also become a microcosm of the entire Lao Maozi Navy.
Now, Nicholas is very coveted for this warship. There is no such type of warship among their warships.
Nicholas smiled and shook his head: "How is this possible? As long as we restore the economy, we will be able to build a large number of warships and regain the past scale."
A skinny camel is bigger than a horse. Do you have self-respect? Do you want the Orientals to build warships for them? How can this be? They couldn't afford to lose this guy.
“It’s just that if we want to build and repair large warships, we still lack floating docks.”
Hongxing Shipyard used the beach shipbuilding method to modify the aircraft carrier for Asan, which is why there is no floating dock.
“If you need it, you can get a second-hand large oil tanker, and our Mingzhou Group will modify it for you.” Qin Tao expressed his sincerity again.
Nicholas nodded: "I will convey your idea to the Red Star Shipyard. Unfortunately, it is difficult to find another customer like Ah San."
It is getting harder and harder to find good guys like Ah San. After Ah San was fooled, he also changed his plan and decided to build his own aircraft carriers, frigates, destroyers, etc. Ah San can also build them himself, so It will be difficult to make money from Ah San in the future.
Qin Tao nodded: "Nicholas, my friend, if you are not rich, our Mingzhou Group is willing to help. Your obsolete old ships can be handed over to us for dismantling."
You should never forget your roots. Mingzhou Group’s fortune began with ship dismantling. Now, if old friends are in trouble, of course they can help dismantle ships.
“Let’s talk about this later. We can still maintain it for the time being. By the way, Sanhang Heavy Industry has approached us several times and asked us for the next construction funds of ice-breaking natural gas ships.”
Nicolas said another thing.
It was Qin Tao who commissioned Nicholas to find someone to go to Sanhang Heavy Industry to order this kind of ship. Although he didn’t know Qin Tao’s true intention, of course he had to help with this kind of small favor. Now, Sanhang Heavy Industry is urging him to take the next step. of funds.
“How far have they built it?”
“The hull has been built and the internal cargo boom is being installed.”
"It seems that they are not slow in their actions." Qin Tao smiled: "Nicholas, promise them that we will pay all the money together in August this year, and ask them to continue to work hard and pay all the money." All the ships have been built for us.”
August this year?
Nicholas was a little curious: "What will happen in August?"
“I just have some clues, but I can’t make a conclusion yet. We’ll wait until then, or we’ll continue to delay at worst,” Qin Tao said.
Nicola nodded.
While Qin Tao was chatting and laughing with his old friend Nicholas, Grishin was anxiously waiting for the results.
Time passed little by little, and several people in the room were a little nervous.
"I didn't expect that the base below us would deteriorate to this extent." Briznukko said: "These aircraft have no repair value and can only be scrapped. If I were to buy them, I wouldn't buy them." need."
“Yes, our military’s internal problems are too serious!”
Grishen paced back and forth, feeling very helpless. Originally, including the maintenance costs, one could be sold for 100 million, with a total amount of 2 billion, which was considered a big business. Now they were forced to accept the new The plan was to sell a 20 million unit, but it could only be sold for 400 million. Now it seems that 400 million is just a bubble, and it will explode as soon as it is blown.
How is the conversation between Nicholas and Qin Tao going?
When the hands of the clock pointed to eleven o'clock, the phone finally rang.
“Hello, Nikolai, how are you?” Grishin asked anxiously after taking the phone.
“Oriental people don’t like those rags. They plan to go to Ermao’s place to have a look. After my repeated dissuasion, they finally agreed to a new plan.”
Grishen breathed a sigh of relief: "What plan?"
“They buy these pieces of junk for a million dollars each, put them out to scare people when they need them, and hide them when they don’t.”
“How is this possible? We cannot sell the country’s property cheaply!”
"If not, they will go to Ermao to buy the white swan." Nicholas said: "There is only so much I can do. If you think the plan is feasible, then go to Moscow to report immediately. I can drag Qin for a few days." God, if you don’t agree with this plan, then I won’t care and let Qin go talk to Er Mao.”
Now how to do?
Grishin thought for a moment, and then said: "Okay, I will go back to Moscow immediately, Nikolay. Before I come back, I must hold Qin back. He must not be allowed to go to Er Mao."
So Qin Tao stayed temporarily in the Far East. Zheng Ming, who was traveling with him, was very satisfied with this arrangement.
It is too difficult to come up with hundreds of millions at once. If it is tens of millions, it will not be a problem, and the savings will come out.
“Mr. Qin, your methods are really good!” Zheng Ming said with emotion.
"Yes, it's worth using Er Mao to buy the white swans." Another air force officer said.
Tu-160, a strategic bomber!
"If you can buy it, of course it will be great. But how can White Swan be so easy to buy?" Qin Tao gave the answer: "This can't be bought by trickery. As long as we go there, it will cause trouble." Vigilance from all aspects will attract the attention of countless people, and then all kinds of pressure will come. No matter how much money we pay, it is impossible to buy back the white swan."
In the past few years since the collapse of the Red Empire, both the Damao and the Ermao have been greatly infiltrated, especially the Ermao. It is not that easy to get the Ermao to export strategic weapons to their own side. Qin Tao, an arms dealer, is not able to cover the sky with one hand.
"Yes, even if we get the White Swan back, we have no maintenance capabilities and no source of parts. It will be useless to buy it back." Zheng Ming said: "Even if we get these Tu-22Ms, we want to save them after we go back." It’s also very difficult to come up with something that can be used. Fortunately, we have a batch of engines.”
Qin Tao can buy these junk back. An important reason is that when he bought the two Tu-22Ms last time, he brought back a large number of engines and parts. Otherwise, the engines of these aircraft will no longer be usable. What? Can fly?
“However, those engines will not last long. Should we map and imitate such engines in the future?” Someone started discussing again.
Surveying and mapping imitation?
Even Qin Tao is not sure whether he wants to imitate this big guy at this time.
There is a shortage of domestic engines, and they are still importing a large number of engines. It will take a long time for the Turbofan 10 to mature, and the improvement of the Turbofan 15 will also take time, but it does not cost much to imitate the Tu-22M engine. After all, this kind of engine was developed by Lao Maozi in the 1960s and 1970s. Although it has high thrust, it is also heavy and has high fuel consumption. Is it better to imitate it, or wait until the domestic third-generation machine is produced and use the core machine to modify it?
The development trend of fighter aircraft is stealth, and the future of bombers will definitely be stealth aircraft like the H-20. Such aircraft must also be supported by qualified engines.
You don’t have to think about these things yourself, you should leave them to others to worry about. As a shipbuilder, why should you care about so many things about building airplanes?
“Let’s go to the Sukhoi production factory in Komsomolsk today.” Qin Tao said.
Accepting Nicholas' invitation, everyone will stay here for a few days. In order to avoid wasting these few days, everyone went to visit around. The Sukhoi production factory is a must-see.
While the visitors from the East were visiting, Grishin was reporting on his work in Moscow.
“Those planes, are they really unable to fly?” asked a big boss who has always been opposed.
"Yes, it was originally agreed to be sealed, but no sealing work was done. Parts were seriously lost, and some engines were gone. The engines still installed on them have reached the end of their life. This batch of aircraft has simply It's impossible to fly again." Grishin said: "What the Easterners want is bluff. If they don't get these planes from us, they will try their luck with Ermao and try to purchase more advanced bombers."
“Huh, they can’t buy it from Ermao!” The boss shook his head: “We will put pressure on Ermao, and the United States will also put pressure, and Ermao won’t dare to sell it.”
"If it had been anyone else, of course it would not have succeeded, but the leader of the team is Mr. Qin of the Mingzhou Group. He is a very powerful person. Maybe he can come up with some ideas to steal the money and change the pillars." Grishin said: "When I bought Varyag, No. The whole world has been deceived by him. I don’t know what tricks he will play this time. We still have to avoid this risk."
"Since these planes can no longer fly, there is nothing to worry about. Just sell them to them and let them show them to the Americans." The person sitting in the upper position spoke: "This will also allow them to attract more Americans. Focus and lay the foundation for our development.”
The big stone in Grishen's heart fell to the ground.
Although the selling price is a bit low, from other perspectives, this transaction is still beneficial.
“Send someone to Ermao’s place to keep an eye on him. The Oriental people are very cunning and may continue to trade with Ermao secretly.” The boss said.
(End of this chapter)