In 1978, I was admitted to Harbin Institute of Technology

Chapter 233 is finished? Have you seen our tank testing workshop?

"Alright, don't worry about me, go do your thing. The progress of the switch is crucial right now; who knows, one day we might be at war with the international giants..."

Xie Wei said softly to Mo Lingyu.

Mo Lingyu froze, glanced at Xie Wei, nodded, packed up her documents, and walked outside.

"Whoo~"

Xie Wei let out a long sigh, stretched, stood up and moved around a bit. Looking at the porridge and steamed buns on the table, he shook his head with a wry smile and began to eat.

Xie Wei had always known about Mo Lingyu's feelings.

Fortunately, Mo Lingyu is now just quietly taking care of Xie Wei.

"The Pakistanis are definitely not so easy to persuade. Back then, they thought the Super-7 cost 3 million and still thought it was too expensive. This needs to be carefully considered. If they don't spend enough, it won't be in line with the school's development. If they spend too much, they won't be able to afford it..."

Xie Wei felt a headache coming on just thinking about the money Pakistan had and their demands.

I couldn't come up with a plan last night that would get the other party to hand over the money immediately.

The technology is too advanced; we don't even have it domestically. It's impossible for Pakistan to sell all kinds of technology abroad just for money, and Pakistan might not be able to afford the high costs associated with advanced technology.

If something is outdated, others won't look down on it.

This requires Xie Wei to propose a cost-effective solution.

If we say that we can buy the RD-93 turbofan engine now, it would be relatively easy to convince the other party.

Xie Wei, who was familiar with the situation, knew that the final investment in the Super-7 was still nearly $4.5 million. However, the Super-7 at that time was far from the kind of light fighter jet that Pakistan initially wanted. As technology develops to a certain level, many advanced technologies that were initially expensive to manufacture become ordinary technologies over time.

The Super-7 program initially involved simply replacing the side air intakes of the J-8 with those of the J-7, and then installing a more powerful advanced turbofan engine.

Currently, due to the diplomatic relations between China and the Soviet Union, it is impossible to import the RD-33 engine for the MiG-29.

As for the school's fighter jet-related projects, it's still unknown how far away it is for the turbofan engine to be put into use.

"Let's first get them to agree to a cooperation agreement. After all, the JF-17 fighter jet was designed with the help of the 611 Institute, and the current technological foundation should be sufficient... As for the engine, it should be fine in a few years..."

After much thought, Xie Wei decided to first persuade the other party to sign a contract, so that the school's third-generation fighter jet project would not be short of funding.

All the research and development projects undertaken by the university are based on the technology used in the J-10 fighter jet. We could easily obtain funding from Pakistan to acquire the necessary technology for the J-10, then further refine it to create the fighter jet that Pakistan requires…

For Pakistan, the JF-17 Thunder is merely a low-end fighter jet used in conjunction with the F-16.

"Xie Wei, are you in the office? Hurry up, the Pakistani people have arrived, and Principal Zhang wants you to go to the CNC machine tool training workshop immediately..."

As Xie Wei was analyzing the situation, Zhang Mingqiu's secretary, Gan Ning, rushed into Xie Wei's office.

"Go straight to the training workshop?"

Xie Wei frowned.

Should Pakistanis not tour the school before going there?
"They didn't follow the school's established procedures. Upon arrival, they immediately demanded to go to the school's training workshop. Principal Zhang had no choice but to take them to the metalworking training workshop first..."

Gan Ning hurriedly explained.

According to the previous procedure, the first step is to visit the school, then visit some of the open laboratories and training rooms, and finally enter the training workshop.

The school's training workshops are not just for producing parts for civilian products.

"Oh."

Xie Wei, upon hearing this, showed no concern whatsoever.

This further confirms that Pakistan's pursuit of cooperation with schools is aimed at building its own defense industry.

"Xie Wei, hurry up..."

“What can I do there? Each workshop has a person in charge who will explain the situation to them. As for the school, the school leaders will naturally explain it to them… So, you tell Principal Zhang that I will step in after they have settled down and the Pakistani side has expressed their intentions.”

Accompanying the Pakistani delegation on a school visit?

Pull it down!

Xie Wei didn't have that time.

Although being with them initially allowed Xie Wei to understand their intentions and bottom lines through their reactions, he felt it was completely unnecessary.

"This……"

Gan Ning's eyes widened.

Principal Zhang specifically instructed me to come and find Xie Wei!

"Tell Principal Zhang that I'll go after they've finished their visit."

Xie Wei's attitude was very firm.

Gan Ning wanted to persuade him further, after all, it was the principal's order. But looking at Xie Wei's expression and thinking about Principal Zhang's usual attitude towards Xie Wei, he could only sigh helplessly and take his leave.

"Is their attitude that clear?"

Xie Wei wasn't worried at all.

Metalworking workshop.

Zhang Mingqiu, along with school leaders including Liu Debao, accompanied Murita Zalidaq and Imohan Farouk on a thorough tour.

The workshop manager kept explaining the workshop's technology and situation to them.

"CNC machine tools? Don't you still need to import them from abroad?"

Imam Farouk believed he had a fairly good understanding of China's industrial base and technological level.

It's not that China doesn't have any CNC machine tools and needs to import them from abroad.
The key issue is the international embargo!
"We really don't have the technology for the most advanced five-axis CNC machine tools..."

A worried look appeared on Du Guowang's face.

Thanks to Xie Wei's development of the HZ80 chip, the electromechanical field has made rapid progress in three-axis CNC systems, although the precision is still somewhat lacking.

Even the simple four-axis control system that Xie Wei mentioned no longer had any problems.

At this point, the project's progress became severely hampered: it required chips with stronger computing power, further expansion of the CNC system's functions, more sensitive optoelectronic components, and servo systems...

All of this requires not only funds but also time.

"Lieutenant Colonel, our foundation is already weak, and CNC technology and other technologies are subject to international embargoes... What you see before you is all independently designed and developed by our school. All the parts are designed and manufactured by ourselves..."

Seeing the disappointment on the other person's face, Du Guowang became displeased. "Although there is a big gap between our CNC system and the international advanced level in terms of control precision, our CNC system has the advantage of being cheap... The current CNC system can be used to modify ordinary machine tools for automatic processing without any problem."

As he spoke, he led everyone toward the modified CNC machine tool that was in operation nearby.

In the machining area at one end of the workshop, more than a dozen CNC machine tools, which are modified from ordinary lathes and do not have protective covers, are automatically processing.

There were no technicians or operators guarding the machine tool.

"These lathes are all controlled by CNC programs. After machining, the operator will remove the machined parts, replace them with new parts, and then simply press the start button on the control system..."

Du Guowang personally explained the situation to the Pakistani side.

In his view, the most suitable option for Pakistan is to introduce CNC systems to upgrade their ordinary machine tools.

"So convenient?"

The scene before him shocked Immohan.

Isn't it said that China is very backward?

Why is what I see completely different from what I hear?
In Lieutenant Colonel Imran Farooq's view, apart from having a relatively complete heavy industrial base with Soviet assistance, China's technology was not much more advanced than Pakistan's.

Therefore, by importing industrial foundations from China and leveraging good relations with the West, it's even possible to surpass China in the technological field. These CNC machine tools, though merely modified ordinary machine tools, are not at all like the Americans claim—that without their permission, the Chinese could never possess CNC machine tools…

"Because it's self-developed, a complete CNC lathe system costs less than 2 cuts, and that includes components like ball screws and stepper motors... A three-axis system costs less than 3.6 cuts per set... Through CNC machine tool processing, as long as the program doesn't have errors and the cutting tools don't wear out, all machining dimensions remain consistent..."

When dealing with foreigners, we quote double the price.

This was Xie Wei's request.

Even so, it's still much cheaper than the Japanese.

Murita looked at the seemingly outdated yet advanced modified CNC machine tool in front of him, and then looked at Lieutenant Colonel Imokhan beside him.

The lieutenant colonel feigned calmness, but Murita could see envy and shock in his eyes.

After Gan Ning returned, he quietly joined the team.

Zhang Mingqiu kept looking around, waiting for Xie Wei to appear.

Despite being the school principal, he had absolutely no idea how to negotiate with the Pakistani representatives.

Not to mention him, none of the other school leaders did either.

Principal Li surprisingly did not accompany the Pakistanis this time, reportedly to further discuss cooperation with the Thai side.

Where is Xie Wei?

While Imokhan and the others were learning about the detailed technical situation, Zhang Mingqiu quietly asked Gan Ning a question.

"Xie Wei said he'd come back after he's finished his visit..."

Gan Ning stared at the Pakistanis, afraid they would notice his subtle actions and express their displeasure.

This concerns our international friends!
"How could he do this!"

Zhang Mingqiu became anxious.

They're counting on Xie Wei to negotiate with the Pakistani side.

Previously, Principal Li specifically sent Xie Wei to the training base of Factory 617 so that he could become a familiar face to foreign clients.

Principal Li also instructed that the school would entrust Xie Wei with negotiating matters related to cooperation with foreign countries.

Otherwise, Zhang Mingqiu wouldn't have gone out of his way to find Xie Wei before this.

"Xie Wei said that each workshop and project team leader had briefed them on the situation..."

Gan Ning quickly and quietly relayed Xie Wei's reasons, "He said he would come after the visit..."

Zhang Mingqiu was helpless.

It was his own fault for not letting Xie Wei go with them to the workshop to greet the Pakistani representatives.

I'm unwilling to accept this, but this is the only way.

After visiting the metalworking training workshop, Zhang Mingqiu and others led the group to the integrated circuit training workshop. From integrated circuit design to training, everything was open to the Pakistanis, and there was nothing to hide.

Finally, we visited the laboratories of Zhai Xinguo and Tang Daoxian.

During the visit, the Pakistani side became increasingly silent.

What they saw before them was vastly different from their understanding of China's technological level.

Especially after visiting the design studios for rocket launchers and sniper cannons, and seeing how small the entire design team was, a heavy look appeared on Imokhan's face.

Upon arriving at the workshop, they witnessed firsthand the assembly process of disposable rocket launchers, as well as the assembly process of sniper cannons, which left them with even more complex feelings.

This is just assembly!
This means that all the parts were manufactured in other factories.

Matching package!

After visiting the laboratory and workshop, it was already noon, and Xie Wei still did not appear at the lunch banquet.

In the afternoon, the group toured the entire school.

After the visit, Principal Zhang originally planned to take the group to the Northern Building to rest and entertain them in the evening, but before they could leave, Xie Wei arrived.

"Thanks, you finally showed up."

Upon seeing Xie Wei appear, Imokhan walked towards him with a broad smile, extending his arms in preparation for a warm hug.

"Lieutenant Colonel, welcome to our school!"

When Imohan Farouk was still several steps away, Xie Wei smiled, reached out his hand, and shook Imohan Farouk's right hand a few times.

What are you hugging?!

The other person isn't a beauty.

Immohan paused for a moment, then quickly realized, "I heard you're very busy?"

"Don't even mention it. I got the news a couple of days ago that you were coming to visit the school, so I dropped everything and rushed back. But I still missed welcoming you..."

Xie Wei looked apologetic.

Upon hearing his words, Zhang Mingqiu and Gan Ning exchanged a glance, both seeing astonishment in each other's eyes.

Is Xie Wei out of town?
Fortunately, when Immohan and Murita asked Shewe why he hadn't shown up, they replied that he had important work to do.

"Have you finished touring the school?"

Xie Wei asked.

"Yes, we're heading to the hotel. Thanks, why don't you come with us? We can have a proper chat."

Imokhan genuinely wanted to communicate more with Xie Wei, a young man who was much younger than him, whose status was no less than his, and who even knew how to introduce military technology.

Even if it's just through Xie Wei, it would be good to learn more about Harbin Institute of Technology, a school they've only heard of but don't know is so amazing.

Have you visited the tank testing workshop?

Xie Wei asked.

what?
Zhang Mingqiu and the others were greatly alarmed.

The tank testing workshop is not included in the tour; it houses some of the most advanced tanks in the country.

The Pakistani man's face immediately turned ugly.

Didn't they allow visitors to tour everyone's most advanced experimental workshops?
There's even a tank workshop?

"Xie Wei, we..."

Zhang Mingqiu hurriedly spoke up, wanting to remind Xie Wei that the tank testing workshop was not within the scope of the tour.

“Principal Zhang, Colonel Murita and Lieutenant Colonel Imokhan are our friends, and there are many possibilities for cooperation between them and the school…”

Xie Wei stopped Zhang Mingqiu from continuing.

"Yes, we are friends!"

"We have many collaborations we can explore..."

There's a tank workshop there; I definitely have to go check it out.

The 617 tank design simply did not meet their needs. Even the 69-II sold to Thailand, which underwent many design modifications based on the Type 69 tank, still could not meet their operational requirements.

One rocket launcher could blow it up!
We need to take a look at their tank design; perhaps their design can meet the Pakistani military's needs?

(End of this chapter)