Munitions Empire
Chapter 1197: 1117 New Weapons Big Sale

Chapter 1197: 1117 New Weapons Big Sale

The conference room was filled with envoys from nations around the world. They had all come to the Great Tang Empire to procure new advanced weaponry. To meet their demands, the Great Tang Empire had even specially summoned Mayor Harry of Linshui back to the imperial capital of Chang’an.

At present, many of the nations represented here were even at war with one another. Yet, in this room, these individuals—who were sworn enemies outside—sat obediently, waiting for Harry to pitch the Great Tang Empire’s new military equipment and products.

“Not everyone can afford the most expensive weapons. Even if we were willing to sell missiles with a range of 2,000 kilometers, could you afford them? And moreover… is it really cost-effective to use such weapons to deliver ordinary bombs?” As an arms dealer, Harry was patiently explaining to the procurement envoys from various countries the meaning of cost-effectiveness.

There was no other choice. Everyone wanted to buy the Great Tang Empire’s Dongfeng missiles, but the Great Tang Empire was, in fact, unwilling to sell such weapons.

The spread of missile technology required some caution—after all, the Great Tang Empire still had a vast array of other technologies that hadn’t been sold yet.

“In reality, if you don’t want to threaten your neighbors, there’s no need for highly aggressive weapons. For example, our latest bombers, which many nations don’t even need.” Harry stated a fact that left many in the room red-faced with embarrassment.

Despite the Great Tang Empire showcasing its own Flying Fortress bombers, along with an even more advanced new model called the Type 29 Bomber, everyone still felt these weren’t what they wanted.

What they desired was the type of bomber from the Great Tang Empire that could emit a dragon’s roar—a terrifying superweapon so fast it could completely outrun all intercepting aircraft.

Regrettably, the Great Tang Empire had declared such aircraft non-exportable, just like the Butcher Fighter and the Flying Fortress Bomber had been in the past.

“Our thirst for new technologies is extremely pressing, Mr. Harry! We wish to possess more advanced weaponry… to thwart the ambitions of other nations.” The envoy from the Poplar Empire spoke while glaring pointedly at the envoy from the Ice Cold Empire across the room.

“We have a propeller-driven fighter capable of reaching speeds of 750 kilometers per hour. Though it’s a bit inferior to our most advanced fighter jets, it’s very affordable!” Harry continued tirelessly pitching outdated weaponry. As he spoke, he even felt as though his heart was bleeding.

There was no other choice. Previously, outdated planes like the P-36 and I-16 could be sold for astronomical prices.

Now, however, it was different. During wartime, the Tang Army had introduced a tremendous amount of advanced weaponry. The newer-generation fighter jet designs originally intended for these countries were now unsellable…

For instance, the Great Tang Empire had prepared Yak Fighters for the Ice Cold Empire, but these were now outdated even before they could be sold. How could that not be disheartening?

Apart from the Yak Fighters, the Tang Country had also prepared Shiden Fighters for Qin Country, Spitfire Fighters for the Laines Empire, and Mustang Fighters for the Dorne Empire…

Of course, their old friend, the Poplar Empire, was certainly no exception. Tang Mo had prepared the latest TA-152 Fighters for them… Just listen to those names—each was a world-renowned fighter jet!

So many advanced fighters, so many even more advanced technologies, and so many assembly lines ready at a moment’s notice! In the past, these were treasures that couldn’t be bought even with money!

But now, with the Tang Country developing jet fighters, none of these nations were willing to spend money on outdated equipment anymore. Back when they purchased monoplane aircraft, they each spent tens of millions of Gold Coins on them! But now? They’re unwilling to spend even 10 million for blueprints of advanced fighter jets.

Overall, the price of aircraft had been continuously decreasing: Back when planes were newly invented, a complete set of aircraft technology could sell for 100 million.

Later, second-generation monoplanes were valued only in the tens of millions of Gold Coins. Now, trying to get these countries to pay for the most advanced—and likely the last—generation of piston-engine fighters was proving virtually impossible.

“If you want to buy new fighters, you can—as long as you have the money,” Harry said bluntly, refusing to indulge them. He then threw out an utterly astronomical price: “30 million per unit! Guaranteed to dominate your neighbors and secure vital air superiority!”

“How much?!” Upon hearing that price, everyone lost their composure. For crying out loud, 100 million barely buys three planes? A 20-plane formation would cost 700 million? Are you kidding?

“Too expensive? I haven’t even mentioned the operating costs yet! That stuff burns fuel at three times the rate of propeller planes! Pilot training? I’ll arrange it for you immediately, but they won’t be able to fight until five months later!” Harry continued his sales pitch.

“What I’m recommending to you is truly high-quality, low-cost equipment! Why won’t you believe me? Price! Quantity! These are your bottlenecks! Always wanting the best? The best is pricey!” He sneered and continued to stab at everyone’s fragile egos: “The new planes are ready for sale. First-come, first-served!”

“Trust me—the planes I’m selling you have performance on par with the Navy’s own Pirate Fighters! They can effectively bring you peace of mind.”

“Really?” The Dorne Empire envoy’s eyes lit up, and he instinctively leaned forward off the couch, excitement brimming in his voice.

“Mr. Harry, is that true?” The envoys from the nations surrounding the Endless Sea became instantly intrigued upon hearing this.

What they needed was indeed a plane capable of countering the Great Tang Empire Navy’s carrier-based aircraft threat.

“Completely true. The Pirate Fighters will be sold together with the Navy’s newest weapons utilized in the current war—aircraft carriers! And, as always, as long as you have money, we are willing to provide you with even more advanced equipment.”

Tang Mo had already begun construction on a second-generation aircraft carrier featuring an angled flight deck. The first-generation carriers currently in their arsenal—all still about 70% new—were indeed planned for sale.

Although the Navy’s first-generation jet carrier-based Phantom Fighters were still in the experimental phase, the Navy had already grown impatient to welcome their new pet projects.

The tonnage of the new aircraft carriers was increased to 60,000 tons to balance out the structural demands caused by larger jet fighters.

Since Soviet-style aircraft lacked early carrier-based models, the Great Tang Empire Navy had no choice but to follow the most conventional American path. What else could they do? The second-generation carrier-based fighters from both the Rabbit and Maoxiong nations were nonexistent, forcing the Great Tang Empire onto a path of maintaining separate land-based and carrier-based air systems.

That’s right—the first-generation carrier-based jets planned by the Great Tang Empire were to utilize the less-than-ideal F4 Phantom Fighters.

While these performed only marginally better than the MiG-21 during the Vietnam War, their design philosophy was at least on the right track: They had space for large-diameter radars, and with some hard modifications, they could at least manage for a while.

However, these planes’ dogfighting abilities were, to put it bluntly, abysmal. Even those equipped with cannons performed significantly worse than the MiG-21 in close combat.

In addition, the Navy planned to procure a new carrier-based attack aircraft to replace the outdated Stuka Dive Bombers. Their choice was the versatile A-6 Intruder.

As a result, alongside the Air Force’s Type 6 Fighters and Type 6 Bombers, the Navy now had a new Type 6 Attack Aircraft… thus beginning the Great Tang Empire’s oft-heard “Type 6 Legend.”

To accommodate these two future aircraft, the Great Tang Empire Navy’s second-generation aircraft carriers adopted many new technologies, including angled decks and a new device called a steam catapult.

This new device allowed planes to launch faster from shorter runways. Consequently, the structural integrity of these new naval aircraft had to be reinforced, making some sacrifices to flight performance inevitable.

In short, both the Air Force and Naval Aviation of the Great Tang Empire had officially entered the jet age. Simultaneously, the Great Tang Empire’s commercial aviation industry also began rolling out several models of jet-powered passenger planes.

Tang Mo had simply had enough of the sluggishness of propeller-driven passenger planes. Desiring more efficient travel, commercial aircraft production had even surpassed the urgency of the Navy’s Phantom Fighter development.

Upon hearing that aircraft carriers were for sale, the envoys began serious calculations: With carrier air wings as protection, those expensive battleships they’d already poured fortunes into suddenly seemed less obsolete.

With carrier-based aircraft providing cover, these costly battleships could approach enemy coastlines, even face off against enemy fleets in open waters… the scene was almost too beautiful to imagine.

“Additionally, the Great Tang Empire has decided to sell advanced submarine technology! Including torpedo technology!” Harry immediately unveiled yet another product that drove everyone wild.

You should know that this technology had previously been a non-exportable item—despite other nations’ tireless efforts, they had failed to replicate anything comparable!

Their enthusiasm was instantly ignited. What they didn’t know, however, was that the submarine tech the Great Tang Empire offered was essentially World War I-era U-boat technology, which was… already outdated!

That stuff was noisy, slow, only suitable for ambushing merchant ships, and had limited range—it was far from mature technology.

But the allure of such technology to these nations was undeniable: After all, they had no idea that the Great Tang Empire’s sonar systems were already highly advanced. So when it came to buying submarines, they couldn’t wait to throw money at it.

“We want to purchase an aircraft carrier! How much?” The Poplar Empire envoy excitedly raised his arm.

“The Ice Cold Empire is willing to purchase two aircraft carriers, Mr. Harry!” the Dwarf Envoy said in a gruff voice, as though afraid that a moment’s hesitation would mean missing out.

——

A side comment: The early U.S. Navy carrier-based aircraft—what a bunch of ungainly, ugly things… Even the slightly better-looking Skyraider’s performance was, frankly, dismal…

Search the lightnovelworld.cc website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.