Chapter 593 This Tu-22M is pretty good! No, this is a Tu-160!

 Originally, Qin Tao didn’t have much idea about purchasing the Tu-22M, but now, with the promotion of various forces, the project has gradually come into fruition.

In March 1997, an inspection team from the Navy and Air Force took a special plane to the Kazan Aircraft Manufacturing Plant. This is a supporting factory of the Tupolev Design Bureau. In the future, it will form Tupo together with the Aerostar Factory and so on. Lev Aviation Scientific and Technical Complex.

After the collapse of the Red Empire, in the aviation industry of the entire Red Empire, only the Sukhoi Design Bureau relied on the export of Su-27. Other units were struggling, and the Tupolev Design Bureau was certainly no exception.

In Lao Maozi’s aviation system, Tupolev Design Bureau has always been responsible for large aircraft. They are responsible for bombers in military aircraft and large passenger aircraft in civil aviation.

When everyone walked down, the current designer of the Tupolev Design Bureau, Valentin Briznenko, and the head of the Kazan factory, Vitaly Kobilov, took their subordinates, as well as those who had worked in the military sales before. Grishin, an old acquaintance from China, came to greet him.

“Mr. Qin, welcome to Kazan.” Grishin said: “Let me introduce to you, this is Mr. Valentin Briznukko, the current chief designer of the Tupolev Design Bureau.”

Holding the other person's extended hand, Qin Tao asked curiously: "Excuse me, what is the relationship between this gentleman and Tupolev?"

 In Lao Maozi's design bureaus, it is often the son who inherits the business from his father. The man in front of me looks nothing like old Tupolev!

"Mr. Qin, I am Mr. Polev's student." Briznenko introduced: "You should know that the founder of our Tupolev Design Bureau is the famous Mr. Andrei Tupolev. His son, Mr. Alexei Tupolev, took over his duties. Our most proud Tu-160 bomber is the masterpiece of Mr. Alexei. I was his assistant at the time. Later, Alexei When my husband retires, I will become the head of the design bureau.”

Qin Tao nodded. It turned out that both my son and I had retired, so it was the outsider's turn.

"Mr. Qin, this Mr. Vitaly Kobilov is the person in charge of the Kazan factory. If our agreement can be reached, the Tu-22M bombers you purchased will be refurbished here and then delivered to you. .”

 Renovation?

Qin Tao immediately realized that the old man had learned bad things, but he was still the one who taught him! I just want to come here to purchase a batch of junk. How many can I use when I get back? What about the other party? Not only do you have to sell the aircraft at a high price, but you also have to renovate it. After you pay the money and go to the factory to dismantle it, the maintenance funds will be insufficient. Do you want to add more money?

 Thinking of this, he was a little speechless.

At this moment, the roar of cars sounded in the distance, and a beautiful large airplane was being towed out of the factory workshop. When he saw the airplane, Qin Tao opened his eyes wide.

The pointed nose, the side strips extend backward from the cockpit to the wings, integrating with the wing box. The variable sweep wings are in a swept state. It seems that the wingspan is not large, but after unfolding , he is a big guy.

 Under the fuselage are the nacelles for the four engines, and behind it is the retracted tail.

 Figure-160!

For Lao Maozi, it has always been the Americans who want what they have. When the American B-1B bomber enters service, Lao Maozi will also develop a similar bomber. The design of the wing-body fusion will make this bomber look good. It looks very modern, but the variable sweep wing is a feature of the second-generation aircraft. In terms of the overall layout, it embodies the solution to the bomber problem:

How to combine the characteristics of bombers with long range, long endurance and large weapons load with low-altitude, high-subsonic and high-altitude hypersonic penetration capabilities.

 Although the Tu-160 has a similar appearance to the B-1B, there are also big differences. It is larger in size, 20% larger than the latter, and its engine is in a nacelle layout and is not integrated into the body. The wing roots are thick and can carry more fuel, etc.

 Overall, the Tu-22M and the Tu-160 are one generation apart! At this time, Qin Tao's eyes almost dropped when he saw the Tu-160. He held back his saliva and said: "This Tu-22M is good, let's buy this one, no matter how hard it is to buy it!"

 Hearing what he said, Briznuko and Kobilov looked at each other helplessly.

 This plane is a Tu-160. Mr. Qin’s ability to mistake a deer for a horse is too high! How could our side sell the Tu-160? This aircraft is just for display to show off our strength!

A skinny camel is bigger than a horse. The glory of the Tupolev Design Bureau is still there. What they are most proud of is the Tu-160 strategic bomber. It is a pity that this aircraft caught up with the collapse of the Red Empire and only a total of them were produced. 25, 19 of which are still with Ermao.

Due to the economic downturn, the Tu-160 production line has long been closed. This aircraft is just an unfinished product on the production line. It only has a shell. I dragged it out to show off. As a result, Mr. Qin fell in love with it. ?

"This aircraft has variable sweep wings and wing-body fusion, which simply pushes the aerodynamic design capabilities to the limit." Qin Tao talked gushingly: "Similar to the American B-1B bomber, if we If we purchase this kind of bomber, it will definitely greatly enhance our long-range combat capabilities."

"Mr. Qin, this is a Tu-160, not a Tu-22M." Briznukko said: "This is our domestic strategic bomber. It does not currently have an export license. You can only watch it from a distance, not get close."

Actually, if it were a real airplane, it wouldn’t matter even if you step on it and have a look. You won’t lose any flesh after just a few glances. But now, this aircraft is just a shell with nothing installed inside. If it passes by, it will be exposed.

"Is it the Tu-160? Not the Tu-22M?" Qin Tao was a little surprised: "What does the Tu-22M look like?"

“Mr. Qin, in the workshop, we have a Tu-22M that is being renovated. You can follow us to take a look.” Kobilov said.

“Okay.” Qin Tao nodded: “Then let’s go in and take a look.”

The Tu-22M production line has long been closed, but it has been twenty years since this aircraft was produced and delivered to the army in 1974. Some of the bombers have been mothballed, and some have been refurbished and then became Lao Maozi's bomber force. The backbone, Tupolev Design Bureau also relies on this kind of work to barely survive.

On the artificial scaffolding, a Tu-22M bomber was being renovated. Since it had just been dragged in, it had not been completely disassembled, and the appearance remained intact. Qin Tao just took a look and became a little impatient: "This aircraft is too backward. Isn't it just a large MiG-25?"

Huge rectangular inlets on both sides and the layout of the two engines at the tail are very similar to the MiG-25 except for the single vertical tail and variable swept wings.

"Mr. Qin, this is not the MiG-25. This is one of the most advanced bombers in our country. It has a range of 5,000 kilometers and a bomb load of more than 20 tons. If necessary, it can carry 42 bombs at a time. FAB-500 bombs can be used for carpet bombing, and it can also carry long-range anti-ship missiles for sea strikes..."

Although the Sukhoi Design Bureau is vigorously promoting the Su-30, saying that this aircraft is comparable to the Tu-22M, the two sides are not on the same level in terms of range and bomb load.

When he heard the figure of five thousand kilometers of flight, Qin Tao sighed in his heart that Lao Maozi was so insincere. Even if he provided a bomber from 20 years ago, the data would have to be reduced a lot!

The Tu-22M is also divided into many versions. The latest Tu-22M3 is equipped with a brand new NK-321 engine. It is said to be 50% more fuel-efficient than the NK-22, so its range has also been greatly increased to seven After a thousand kilometers, Lao Maozi's Tu-22M will definitely be replaced with this kind of engine after being renovated. However, the aircraft provided to Dongfang still use the old model!

Even a 7,000-kilometer voyage is not enough for a round trip to Moscow. Do you need to be so stingy?

"If you need it, we can export twenty Tu-22Ms to you, which can be just enough to form an aviation group. A bomber force of this size can also perfectly break through the air defense firepower network of the US Navy aircraft carrier formation and then destroy it. Their carrier formation," Grishin said.

“How much do you plan to sell it for?”

Although Qin Tao also brought officers from the navy and air force, they all remained silent. As long as Mr. Qin was present, there was no need for them to speak and they could just leave everything to Mr. Qin.

"In terms of aircraft, we offer preferential prices, each aircraft only costs 20 million US dollars. After all, these are second-hand goods. However, due to the poor condition of the aircraft, it needs to be sent to our Kazan factory for maintenance. Each aircraft only requires With a maintenance cost of 80 million US dollars, it can be repaired into a brand new one, and it can serve in your army for at least twenty years." Grishen said.

A Su-27 can still be sold for 30 to 40 million U.S. dollars. This batch of Tu-22M is a strategic bomber. It only sells for 100 million U.S. dollars each. It is definitely a very friendly price. Moreover, the Tupolev Design Bureau can also If this contract survives, maybe the Tu-160 production line can be restarted.

“We don’t do maintenance.” Qin Tao said, “We only need twenty aircraft.”

"No, Mr. Qin, those planes are too old. If they are not repaired, they will probably not be able to fly again." Grishen gave a good reason: "You can't take the planes back either."

“We will fly back those that can fly, and remove the wings of those that cannot fly, and we will transport them back with an An-225 transport aircraft.” Qin Tao said, “We will repair them ourselves after we return.”

 Everyone present was stunned.

 You don’t make money by selling airplanes, you make money by repairing them!

"Sorry, Mr. Qin, this contract is indivisible. If you want to buy it, you will have to add maintenance." Grishen said: "This is not the first time we have done business. If Mr. Qin has any concerns, you can just tell him .”

"Okay, since we are old friends, I won't be polite." Qin Tao said: "In recent years, your reputation in arms exports has not been good. Especially the aircraft carrier purchased by Asan was finally sold. The price is several times the original agreed price, and what we bring back is still a semi-finished product. If we sign a contract and put the fighter jets here for repairs, let alone 80 million US dollars, I’m afraid we won’t be able to repair them even if we double the price.”

 Hearing this, all the old men were a little ashamed. Red Star Shipyard has no moral ethics. They and the Pacific Fleet made money, but left a bad reputation!

“Mr. Qin, please rest assured, I can guarantee that nothing like this will happen and there will be no change in the price we agreed on,” Grishen said.

“Grishen, my friend, I believe you, but it’s useless. If an accident occurs and a price increase is required, can you personally make up for the extra maintenance fee for each aircraft?”

Grishn had nothing to say.

It’s really hard to say for sure about this kind of thing! Some people are greedy and some situations are unpredictable. When the maintenance fee is really not enough, who will make up for it?

"As long as we only pay a deposit of 100 million US dollars, we will be trapped by you, and then you will endlessly ask for more money." Qin Tao said: "At that time, if we want to give money, it will exceed the limit. Budget, if you don’t give money, the plane won’t be taken away.”

“No, we will never do that.” Kobilov shouted.

"Mr. Kobilov, please calm down. This kind of thing will not be changed by one person's will. How long have the workers in your factory not been paid? How much equipment is aging and needs to be replaced? And the people behind you also If you want money to spend, have you considered this? At that time, it won’t matter what you say.”

“Mr. Qin, how can you trust us?” Briznuko was very calm.

"Pay with one hand and deliver with the other." Qin Tao said: "Either it is second-hand junk goods, we will trade them on the spot. If you want to repair them, you can also wait until you complete the repairs and put twenty intact aircraft here. After we inspect it, we will pay the money directly and fly the plane away.”

 “What if you don’t want it anymore then?”

 General business requires a deposit, and even if the deposit is less, the risk will increase. Now, Dongfang won't give you a penny, just waiting to get the plane at the end. This is too risky.

"How could we not want it? The Tu-22M is a super bomber!" Qin Tao said: "We came over immediately after receiving your invitation. After the purchase is returned, we can fill our gaps. Don't worry, I, Qin Tao, can use it. As a guarantee of reputation, as long as you provide it, we will definitely purchase it and we will never break our promise.”

"But, we...can't advance the repair funds to you." Kobilov was in a dilemma.

If they weren't poor, how could bombers like the Tu-22M be exported? They want to make money now, and they don't have the money to invest in it, no matter how big the benefits will be in the end.

"Don't pay in advance? Then don't repair it, just sell it to us as a second-hand old aircraft." Qin Tao said: "Actually, even if you have changed it, we still have to make changes after it is in our hands. After all, your avionics The equipment has long been outdated. Just let us renovate it. Your Tupolev Design Bureau and Kazan Factory can still make money, and you can send people to us for technical guidance!"

How much money can you make?

Briznuko and Kobilov are both a little dissatisfied. They plan to make a lot of money from this project! As a result, the conditions became like this?

“There’s nothing interesting about this plane. Let’s call it a day. I brought some wine. Let’s go find a place to have a good drink?”

　Countless people get excited when they hear about drinking. No matter whether the deal can be completed or not, they want to have a good drink first!

As soon as they drank and drank, it was evening. Grishen was careful not to drink too much. For some reason, he saw that Qin Tao and others were obviously not sincere enough when they came this time. Did the other party have other plans?

Kazan is located on the left bank of the middle reaches of the Volga River, the longest river in Europe. The Volga River and the Kazan River meet in the east of Kazan City. The entire city is surrounded by green mountains and looks very good.

 The guest house of the Kazan Factory stands on the bank of the Kazan River. When you open the window, you can see the slowly flowing river, which is very spectacular.

Facing the slowly flowing river, several people were discussing.

"Mr. Qin, we can't be fooled by Lao Maozi. They must be deceiving us when they ask for renovations here." Zheng Ming spoke, and as the person in charge of equipment, he also followed.

"That's for sure. We didn't see many workers when we went to the factory. The factory is semi-abandoned and relies on our funds to maintain it. If they want us to purchase, they have to follow my plan. Either sell the old plane directly, or we can pay for it after they renovate it." Qin Tao said: "We can't be fooled."

"Yeah, we can't be fooled." Zheng Ming nodded: "If Lao Maozi doesn't agree, then we'll leave. It's better not to buy it than to be tricked."

"Yes, we have already inspected this place. It's time to leave. Let's go to Ermao's place to have a look."

 “Ermao? Aren’t we going back?”

“Why are you in a hurry to go back? The White Swan I saw today is really good!”

White Swan?

 What is a white swan?

 In another room, Grishen listened to the conversation on the bug and was very curious. He didn't understand Chinese and this was translated. He even asked if the translation was wrong.

"Could it be our Tu-160?" Briznuko suddenly thought of something. This name is really good. It sounds much better than the pirate flag codename given by NATO. The aircraft is painted white. It's really Like a white swan spreading its wings and flying!

“Er Mao, White Swan, no, they are going to E Mao to purchase Tu-160!” Grishen reacted.

In the era of the Red Empire, the Tu-160s produced were distributed according to demand, and most of the Tu-160s were within the territory of Ermao! For Ermao, there was no need for this kind of strategic bomber at all, and keeping it would be a waste of money. Da Mao negotiated several times to get the aircraft back, but the price could not be negotiated. It wasn't until 1999 that Er Mao had to hand over these white swans to Da Mao in order to repay Da Mao's debt.

 The Easterners would have definitely been able to pay a higher price than them in the past, and they could have bought back this kind of bomber!

 No, we must not let the Easterners succeed!

 The Tu-160 is a strategic bomber with a range of over 10,000 kilometers. If the Easterners get this bomber, they can go back and forth to Moscow easily!

"The Easterners' procurement funds are limited. If they purchase the Tu-22M bomber from us, they will not have extra funds to purchase the Tu-160." Grishin immediately made a decision: "We must retain People living in the East must be allowed to purchase our Tu-22M bombers!"

"They proposed two plans. The second plan is unacceptable to us unless our superiors give us funds to complete the modification of the aircraft." Kobilov spoke.

It is absolutely impossible for the Kazan factory to advance funds for modification. They have no money at all. The only way is for superiors to allocate funds, but they also know very well that it is impossible for superiors to allocate funds because superiors have no money.

“It seems that the only option is the first option.” Grishin said: “We directly sold them second-hand Tu-22Ms for US$20 million each.”

“Then what do we earn?” Briznuko frowned. According to their original plan, this transaction was mainly to earn modification fees!

“We can sell them Tu-22Ms that are about to be scrapped. After they buy them back, they fail to modify them themselves and have to come to us for modifications,” Grishin said.

 Tu-22M that is about to be scrapped? This is really a good idea! Moreover, those who object can no longer object. After the Oriental modification fails, they will have to come to us to continue the modification. At that time, they can even ask for a higher price!

　　Kobilov nodded: "Okay, we can accept this plan."

"That's the only way it can be. If the Easterners buy back the Tu-160, even if there is only one, it will be unacceptable to us." Briznukko was worried.

 The Tu-160 is Mao’s most advanced strategic bomber. This kind of bomber, except for Lao Maozi and the Americans, must not be owned by any third country, not even the Easterners!

 In order to prevent Easterners from buying Tu-160s, it is still a good deal to export a batch of Tu-22Ms that are about to be scrapped.

 The next day, Qin Tao and others had just finished breakfast when Grishen arrived.

“Mr. Qin, after careful discussion, we have decided to follow the first plan you mentioned, selling you twenty Tu-22Ms at a price of US$20 million per aircraft.”

Hearing Grishen's words, the navy and air force personnel who came all the way over became excited.

 Awesome, so awesome! After Mr. Qin's deception last night, these people actually changed their attitude.

  The addition of the Tu-22M will greatly enhance the domestic long-range bombing power! Of these twenty, if the Navy and Air Force each have ten, they will all have strategic bombing capabilities!

“Okay, where is the plane?” Qin Tao asked.

 “Zavitinsk.” Grishin said.

“Isn’t that base closed? Is there still a Tu-22M in it?” Qin Tao was very curious.

In the past, Lao Maozi was also very wealthy. The number of Tu-22M bombers was hundreds at its peak. However, after the collapse of the Red Empire, many of the aircraft were lost to other republics. Da Mao looked helplessly at the rapidly shrinking strategy. The Air Force began to reorganize.

 The most important base is Engels Air Force Base, where a strategic bomber regiment has been specially formed, equipped with 6 Tu-160s, dozens of Tu-95MS and 1 IL-78 tanker regiment. Next is Ukraine Ka, stationed with 2 Tu-95MS regiments. As for the remaining 130 Tu-22M3s of the long-range aviation force, they are equipped with 6 regiments and are stationed in Solich, Shaiykov, Belaya (2 regiments), Vozdvizhenka and Zavetinsk. .

By 1994, this scale could no longer be maintained. The two air force armies that originally belonged to long-range aviation and the 37th Strategic Air Force Army of the Supreme Command were disbanded. All units were only organized into five heavy bombing aviation divisions, respectively stationed in Engels, Solich, Belaya, Ukrainka and Vozdvizhenka.

 The Zavitinsk base was directly shut down.

 (End of this chapter)