In 1978, I was admitted to Harbin Institute of Technology

Chapter 292 Further military spending cuts affect the J-7M, leaving Harbin Institute of Technology to foot the bill?
"Wait a minute, Lieutenant Colonel, you don't have the authority to procure weapons and equipment, do you?"

Xie Wei squinted at Yizak.

Damn it, I almost fell for his trick.

Abdullah has already left. Yitzhak is staying here to wait for seed instructors sent from his country to come back with them, as they are receiving training in his home country.

They have absolutely no right to procure weapons.

"I don't have any on hand right now. Thanks, it's all your fault for hiding such good stuff before... Since you can sell anti-aircraft missiles modified from these air-to-air missiles, why can't you sell these air-to-air missiles?"

Yitzhak angrily questioned Shewe.

Is it my fault for coming?

Xie Wei couldn't help but smile bitterly to himself.

I never thought about this before, okay?
Although the PL-4 was designed in the 1960s, its seeker uses indium antimonide, which is the core technology of third-generation infrared guided missiles. Naturally, he wanted to keep the best for his own country's military rather than sell it.

But now it seems that the Air Force has become too ambitious, always thinking that foreign technology is more advanced than domestic technology.

What can I do?
We can only export first, make a name for ourselves internationally, and then switch to domestic sales.

"It's not that we can't sell it, it's just that I didn't think of this... We've been talking about army equipment before, but you not only have good relations with the Soviets, but also with the entire West. What we can't buy, you can buy... Besides, this missile project was initiated more than ten years ago!"

Xie Wei explained.

After thinking about it, Yitzhak realized that Xie Wei's words made sense.

But looking at Xie Wei's expression and knowing Xie Wei as he did, he felt that something was wrong.

"The general has already returned..."

"I can provide you with a batch of sample missiles for testing. If they perform well, we can discuss procurement later. Mounting them on the MiG-21's weapon pylons won't require much modification; this missile doesn't rely on the aircraft's onboard radar."

Xie Wei looked at Yizak calmly.

He wondered if he could provide them with a batch of improved PL-4 air-to-air missiles when they left.

I think we'll have to ask Li Rui for help with this.

As for why the higher authorities did not allow the export of PL-4?

Even the Air Force doesn't want them!

Seeing Xie Wei fall silent, Yizak frowned: Could this guy be planning to sabotage him again?
Not talking about money?
Will they start demanding exorbitant prices once they see good results?
This is not possible!

"What about the price?"

Feeling he had uncovered Sheve's plot, Yitzhak immediately pressed for the price.

"Each one will not exceed $25!"

Xie Wei did not intend to reduce the price of air-to-air missiles too much.

Even a low-performance air-to-air missile like the Viper-3 costs over 30 yuan per unit when purchased in large quantities. The PL-4 air-to-air missile is far more advanced than the Viper-3, especially in its seeker's ability to detect infrared radiation, and its internal central data processor is also quite advanced.

Asking for $25 wouldn't be unreasonable.

The Viper-3 was able to sell for a high price because of its outstanding performance in the Bekaa Valley air battle.

In reality, the Viper-3 air-to-air missile is not as powerful as the Israelis claim. Although Syria lost 72 MiG-21 and MiG-23 fighter jets during the entire air battle, a large portion of them were actually shot down by ground-based air defenses or even by the Syrian air force itself.

Moreover, in this epoch-making air battle, Israel engaged in combat with second-generation Soviet-style fighter jets using a third-generation F-15 and F-16 fighter jets, along with an advanced combat system that combined electronic warfare aircraft, early warning aircraft, and drones.

Any advanced air-to-air missile used in such an environment could achieve such results!

Unfortunately, the PLA Air Force leaders of that era didn't understand this and spent a huge amount of foreign exchange to import 1500 Viper-3 missiles...

Xie Wei didn't want to see this happen.

"Really only $25?"

Yitzhak was somewhat skeptical.

Xie Wei was ruthless and vicious in selling weapons and equipment, and Xie Wei had witnessed it firsthand.

"If the purchase quantity is large, the price will be further reduced, and it may not even exceed $220,000! So, for the first batch, I will provide about six sample rounds. If they are ineffective, then there's no need to discuss further. If they are powerful and have advanced performance, then we can talk!"

"You want us to help with the testing?"

Upon hearing this, Yitzhak's lips twitched a few times.

Xie Wei's unwavering agreement, without any intention of concealing anything, instantly broke his guard.

But he couldn't refuse.

After reaching an agreement with Yitzhak, Xie Wei then approached Lai Guichang and Shi Hongwei.

"Should we provide six test prototypes to Yitzhak? Shevey, shouldn't we report this to our superiors first?"

Lai Guichang frowned.

He felt that Xie Wei's actions were somewhat ill-considered.

"What's the point of reporting? The Air Force is already preparing to abandon the PL-4! Moreover, to continue testing, we need to wait for the improved Changkong-1 UAV. Where does the university have so much funding to invest in these projects that don't have much of a future?"

Xie Wei said with a smile.

"Besides, the effectiveness of live-fire testing will be immediately apparent. If it works well, the Air Force might even consider acquiring the Israeli Python-3 instead of giving us the PL-4 order. We can then recoup our costs by exporting to the international market!"

The two had no way to refute it.

Real-world testing!

in the country, it's practically impossible.

Although the counterattack on the southwestern border is not completely over, even during the large-scale counterattack last year, the monkeys did not dare to send out air force operations. Often, as soon as their fighter jets took off, they would turn around and run away after spotting the fighter jets taking off on the other side. They were too lazy to even carry out reconnaissance missions.

How can we test anti-aircraft missiles and air-to-air missiles?
"Was that too hasty?"

After receiving a report, Liu Debao took the initiative to contact Xie Wei.

He was worried.

"Isn't this what you told me about the J-7 modification?"

"I don't!"

Liu Debao became anxious.

He hadn't really thought about that; he was just thinking that Iraq used a lot of MiG-21s, and the J-7 was no different in operation, so it was entirely possible to sell them to Iraq.

This was prepared by Li Rui.

"I'm going to see Principal Li, are you coming?"

"Your mother just arrived!"

Liu Debao was a little anxious because he hadn't expected Xie Wei to be serious.

I couldn't think of a good solution for the time being.

“My sister is here with him. If you want to go, we can go together. There are some other things I need to talk to Principal Li about.”

Li Rui's main job now is to be in charge of some work related to the Commission of Science, Technology and Industry for National Defense, which is still under construction. Xie Wei is not sure about the specifics.

But with Principal Li's support, this is definitely not difficult.

Why do we have to go?

Liu Debao frowned. "You know very well that doing things this way won't do you any good for your future development."

"My personal future doesn't matter, the key is the future of PL-4! Importing it requires a huge amount of funding, and assimilating the imported technology will also take up a lot of manpower and resources… If we don't solve the problem of PL-4's outdated performance, I'll accept it. But now…"

Xie Wei raised an eyebrow.

He didn't say anything else, but Liu Debao understood his subtext.

“Okay, I’ll go with you. We’ll leave tomorrow.” Seeing that Liu Debao didn’t object, Xie Wei nodded.

He doesn't necessarily need Liu Debao's support, as long as he doesn't oppose it.

"Aren't you a student? Shouldn't students be studying hard? Why are you going on business trips?"

That evening, Xie Wei gave Liu Mei the 200 yuan he had received from the logistics department, along with some receipts, and told her that he had to go on a business trip the next day.

Liu Mei was very puzzled.

"Mom, I started working before I even started school. The school is developing rapidly and is short of staff in many areas. So, once I'm at school, I have to study and help the school at the same time!"

Xie Wei explained, "Unlike my second sister, who doesn't have to worry about anything except studying!"

"Xie Wei, aren't you annoying me?!"

Xie Rou, who was standing to the side, was originally cursing Xie Wei in her heart that his son would be born without an anus. Then she remembered that Xie Wei's son was her nephew and was about to change her curse. When she heard this, she immediately exploded.

My mother is here, and I have to report for duty every noon and evening.

If I hadn't shown up, Liu Mei would definitely have gone to the school.

There was nothing she could do; Xie Rou had become so thin after arriving at school that Liu Mei couldn't accept it.

"How dare you talk to your brother like that?"

Liu Mei glared at Xie Rou, then complained to Xie Wei, "Look what you've done to her!"

Xie Wei just smiled.

Liu Mei had gotten used to his departure.

After all, for Liu Mei, it was only right for her son to go out and make his way in the world; men from Sichuan and Chongqing are supposed to work hard to support their families.

Daughter?

That's fine then, no need to suffer too much.

"You shouldn't have brought this up with him."

The next morning, when Zhang Mingqiu met with Liu Debao, Xie Wei had not yet arrived. "The Air Force's dissatisfaction is not just with the missiles, but mainly with the fighter jets... No matter how they are modified, whether it's the J-7 or the J-8, there won't be many modifications, and they won't reach the level of the world's most advanced fighter jets."

"How can that be the same? The school has an advanced fighter jet program!"

Liu Debao said with dissatisfaction.

"Principal Li has been helping to secure the project, and the Air Force also has high expectations for the school's fighter jet project!"

"What a load of rubbish! They just can't stand seeing our school have a little money. If they really wanted more, why don't they give us more funding? It would be better if Xie Wei went and made a scene! The school's money was all raised by Xie Wei."

Liu Debao's dissatisfaction grew even stronger.

Seeing that Zhang Mingqiu was about to persuade him again, he said, "Don't tell me that Principal Li helped secure it. He messed around with those projects before. If Xie Wei hadn't sold the long-range rocket launcher for a high price, what would the school be like now? And now Principal Li's work has been transferred to logistics..."

"..."

What else could Zhang Mingqiu say?
Liu Debao was complaining that Li Rui had abandoned the school and left it in a mess. The school had finally turned things around and had a little money in its accounts, and life was getting better, but then Principal Li betrayed the school.

"Alright, that's enough, Xie Wei is here."

Liu Debao was about to continue complaining when he saw Xie Wei, carrying a travel bag, already at the school gate.

"Let's go."

Xie Wei didn't ask Zhang Mingqiu why he came to see them off; he was prepared not to budge no matter how Zhang Mingqiu tried to persuade him.

As a result, Zhang Mingqiu didn't say anything all the way to the station.

"That's strange! Why didn't Principal Zhang try to persuade me?"

"Is it possible that I didn't tell him?"

Liu Debao looked amused and spoke in Xie Wei's tone.

"Ha~"

Xie Wei simply pursed his lips, ignored Liu Debao, and walked into the train station.

The Seventh Ministry of Machinery Industry.

Minister's Office.

"Comrade Li Rui, you're no longer a member of the Seventh Ministry of Machinery Industry. Why can't you just do your job properly instead of interfering in the internal affairs of the Seventh Ministry of Machinery Industry?"

Minister Zheng looked at Li Rui with a mocking expression.

"Sir, I haven't stepped down from my position as president of Harbin Institute of Technology yet!"

Li Rui said with a smile, "We're all state-owned units, we can't have factionalism!"

"Don't give me that! I absolutely will not agree to Harbin Institute of Technology allocating funds to the fighter jet project! Especially since they are lending money to Factory 132 to import equipment from foreign companies!"

Minister Zheng snorted coldly, his attitude resolute.

Before Li Rui could speak, she directly asked him to leave: "I have to get back to work. You should go do your thing."

He wouldn't even want to see anyone else.

Li Rui did not leave.

Still forcing a smile: "Military spending will be further tightened next year, that's already decided. The Air Force really can't come up with the funds, and neither can the Third Ministry of Machinery Industry..."

"What does that have to do with my Seventh Ministry of Machinery Industry? The contract was negotiated by the people from Factory 132, the import agreement was signed by the Third Ministry of Machinery Industry, and the Air Force was also involved. Go find them!"

Minister Zheng, disregarding his image as a leader, rudely interrupted Li Rui, "Don't give me any talk about factionalism. None of our Seventh Ministry of Machinery Industry's projects have even tried to get funding from Harbin Institute of Technology! And you still have the nerve to call yourself the president of Harbin Institute of Technology!"

"But if we breach the contract, not only will we lose the £600 million we've already paid, but we'll also have to pay Marconi hundreds of millions in compensation."

"That's your problem. I have to get back to work!"

Minister Zheng saw the guests off again.

Seeing his resolute attitude, Li Rui knew that it was impossible to get Minister Zheng to agree today.

Indeed, many units and projects within the Seventh Ministry of Machinery Industry were also eyeing the funds held by Harbin Institute of Technology, but Minister Zheng directly rejected them.

He didn't even agree to the ministry's proposal, let alone ask Harbin Institute of Technology to support the Third Ministry of Machine Building in introducing Marconi's outdated technology.

What particularly displeased Minister Zheng was that, despite knowing that Harbin Institute of Technology had relevant technical research projects, no mention was made of using Harbin Institute of Technology's technology; instead, the government insisted on importing it from abroad.

With military spending further tightened starting next year, the project to import Marconi's avionics equipment to upgrade the J-7 will be severely affected. The Air Force will not have the funds, and the Third Ministry of Machinery Industry will not have any additional funds either.

Not to mention Factory 132.

"Director Li, how is it?"

As Li Ruigang came out of the Seventh Ministry of Machinery Industry, two middle-aged men in their forties got out of a 212 jeep next to him and asked impatiently.

"Ah~"

Li Rui shook his head.

"This is trouble."

The middle-aged man in military uniform said with a bitter face, "The contract can't continue, they'll definitely demand compensation!"

"It's all because we don't have the money! If we don't add new fighter jets, we can't even come up with the hundreds of millions needed to upgrade 100 aircraft..."

"Alright. Xie Wei is here. Let's go to the station to pick him up. Maybe he has a plan!"

Li Rui spoke first.

He knew the school's situation better than anyone else. It was developing rapidly, but if such a large sum of money were "borrowed" from Harbin Institute of Technology, Harbin Institute of Technology's development would be affected.

He was helpless; he had no idea where to get the extra hundreds of millions.

Military spending was already being cut, so who knew the government would decide to further reduce funding?
(End of this chapter)