The rise of a great power: starting with military industry

Chapter 307 Expensive?
Everyone boarded the Type 022 missile boat.

"Comrade Liu Tao, what is so particular about this design? Why can't we see any antennas or railings?" The leader of the Navy Command was a little puzzled.

Others also looked at Liu Tao.

"For example, the superstructure complex has multiple large inclination angles, which can disperse the radar reflection waves and severely weaken the search radar echoes at all angles. In addition, the mast is made into a windward polyhedron shape, the hull opening is covered with rolling doors and blinds, and the edges of the observation windows in the bridge are designed with stealth serrations. These are all for stealth performance and to reduce the probability of being detected by radar." Liu Tao explained, "Including these optoelectronic trackers, radars, etc., all have been treated with stealth."

Then a technician asked, "How do you ensure its safety?"

The damage control system of a small ship like the Type 022 missile boat is very special. First, its catamaran structure has an inherent defect of difficult damage control. If water enters one side of the hull, it will tilt rapidly, and it will be more difficult to maintain balance. Second, the space for activities in this type of small ship is relatively small, and the density of equipment and weapons installed is high, so the space for people to operate is limited.

"The Type 022 missile boat is an advanced missile boat with a highly automated monitoring system. For example, the fire fighting system of the missile boat can be centrally controlled. It can be used not only in a specific cabin, but also remotely controlled from the central cabin." Liu Tao smiled faintly and said, "In this way, the degree of automation is greatly increased, which can protect our missile boats and the lives of the crew to the greatest extent."

The damage control system of a ship is very important. In history, there have been many incidents of warships sinking due to poor damage control.

The most famous one is the Ark Royal aircraft carrier of the British Empire. It was only hit by a torpedo. Under normal circumstances, as long as the damage control is effective, the ship can be kept balanced by pumping out water and plugging leaks. However, there are some problems in the design of this aircraft carrier. After being hit by the torpedo, the whole ship lost power and could not be repaired in a short time. In the end, the part that was hit kept taking in water, which led to the sinking of the giant ship.

Similarly, in this year's Falklands War, the Sheffield destroyer had the same problem. After being hit by the Exocet missile, the Sheffield did not sink directly. Instead, because the entire ship lost power, its damage control capability was also lost. Finally, it took on water for several days in a row, and then capsized and sank.

The Type 021 missile boat has a crew of 30 people, and the Type 024 missile boat has a crew of 17 people.

The Type 022 missile boat has a larger tonnage and more equipment, but only requires 12 people because of its high level of modern automation.

Liu Tao took everyone on a tour. Next, this Type 022 missile boat will be delivered to the South China Sea Fleet for a series of tests.

"Comrade Liu Tao, what is the price of this Type 022 missile boat?" asked the leader of the Navy Command.

"Equipped with a basic number of 'Eagle Strike-5' anti-ship missiles and 30mm artillery shells, the self-use version costs 2000 million RMB." Liu Tao pondered for a moment and gave a quote.

Basically it supports naval construction.

The commander of the South China Sea Fleet was stunned. "So expensive?"

"Expensive!?" Liu Tao's eyes widened and he couldn't help but look at the people who were shocked.

I almost vomited blood.

"Everyone, this is not expensive at all. The Eagle Strike-1~Eagle Strike-3 anti-ship missiles are now priced at $100 million each. If we sell our own Eagle Strike-5 anti-ship missiles, the price will only be higher, not lower. 12 Eagle Strike-5 anti-ship missiles will cost at least $1200 million." Liu Tao said in disbelief, "2000 million RMB, that's about $1000 million. How could you think it's expensive?"

"2000 million RMB, that's the cost, and we even paid some of it!" Liu Tao couldn't help but complain, "Believe it or not, this Type 022 missile boat can be sold for at least $1 million."

Warships are notoriously expensive.

When China purchased Type 07 frigates from the Soviet Union, the price of one frigate was equivalent to 17 tons of gold.

And it is often not easy to buy warships, because there is a high probability that the other party will not sell them.

Liu Tao spread his hands and said, "There's really nothing we can do about it. Warships are never cheap!"

When the others heard this, they couldn't help but smack their lips in amazement, because it was indeed very expensive, even ridiculously expensive.

But as Liu Tao said, warships are never cheap.

Even warships from World War II are still very expensive to sell now, and you can't buy them just because you want to.

"We'll talk after the test is complete." The leader of the Navy Command felt that his heart could not take it. He had originally thought of purchasing thirty to fifty ships if possible.

It seems that we can’t make a decision right now.

"No problem. We'll leave it to your military to test next." Liu Tao said with a smile, "You are more professional in this area."

Liu Tao had no objection to this, he thought it was a sincere price, but the military thought it was expensive, so there was nothing he could do.

He has arranged to build twenty Type 022 missile boats, five of which are for the navy. As for the remaining 5, Liu Tao intends to export them.

Of course, there will always be some reduction in the export version.

For example, the radar range, speed, etc.

Moreover, he will not sell to just anyone, at least not to some neighboring countries, no matter how much money they offer.

The performance will be lower, the price will be higher, and Liu Tao will leave a backdoor in case it is needed someday.

Subsequently, the Type 022 missile boat was officially handed over to the South China Sea Fleet for a series of tests.

He did not return to Panshan Machinery Factory, but returned to Beijing with others.

He hasn't had a vacation for two whole months, so he wants to take a break this time and visit his old friends at the same time.

On the plane, people from the China Shipbuilding Corporation and the Navy Command were asking whether Liu Tao was developing larger ships, such as frigates, destroyers or cruisers.

These three types of warships are also what China currently lacks. After all, even the most advanced Type 07 frigates are old warships that have been used for who knows how many years.

In the 50s, the Type 07 frigate was still a relatively good warship. But after so many years, the Type 07 frigate has fallen far behind the times.

Although the country is also modernizing the Type 07 frigate, such modifications are often not ideal. After all, the foundation of the warship is there.

China is also exploring on frigates, destroyers, and cruisers, but in the past decade or so, scientific research institutions have either stood still or even retreated, and progress in this regard has not been ideal.

Also because of the shortage of talent, for several months, scientific research institutions have not come up with a modification plan for Type 021 missile boats and Type 024 missile boats to make them adapt to the "Eagle Strike" anti-ship missiles.

Other small countries can directly install the ship-launched version of the Eagle Strike anti-ship missile, including the launcher, directly on the ship.

But China cannot do that, because doing so will actually affect the performance of the "Eagle Strike" anti-ship missile, and may even cause the entire ship to capsize due to the reaction force of the launch.

(End of this chapter)