Wait a mont.
The stances of different countries vary significantly, thereby altering the aning of their expressions.
However, what is consistent is that the majority of people are filled with curiosity about the J-40 and are optimistic about the capabilities of the J-40 fighter jet, especially military enthusiasts, who are keen on gathering any information they can find on the J-40 in hopes of discovering so clues.
Of course, that’s impossible.
Currently, there is only one J-40, and only a dozen or so WZ-A1 engines have been manufactured, as the developnt process was very rapid, with no leaks of information whatsoever, save for the occasional snapshot taken by the public during performance tests.
Those countries interested in the J-40 are not just curious, so wealthy nations have even directly approached to purchase it.
The ST country in the Middle East.
ST country is a traditional ’oil tycoon’, and they are allies of M Country, but due to their border with a more important ally of M Country, with whom they are fierce rivals, there are always significant frictions in their friendly relations with M Country.
In military terms, ST country is unable to buy the best equipnt and is not supported in developing its own industrial system, so it seeks support from other countries.
China has always had cooperative dealings with ST country and has signed substantial defense procurent contracts in the past.
Now that ST country had found out China possessed a superior fighter jet, a politically active prince, representing his country, swiftly arrived in Zhucheng. After eting with senior leaders, he directly broached the subject of purchasing the J-40.
Of course, that was impossible.
"The J-40 is not for sale!" the senior leader imdiately shook his head and refused.
There’s a saying that goes, nothing in the world is not for sale; if it seems so, it’s only because the price isn’t high enough.
Obviously.
This prince from ST country believed that money could buy everything, and he proposed a price that almost made Zhang Gangchuan nod in agreent, "Ten J-40s for ten billion US dollars!"
Ten jets, ten billion!
The senior leader was a bit stunned, silently noting that ST country was indeed a nation of riches.
Indeed, the production cost of the J-40 was high, but two billion US dollars per unit would suffice. On the international market, the F-35 from M Country was sold to allies for about that price.
Of course.
It was certain that ST country would not be able to buy the F-35, as M Country would consider the interests of YS country and would not sell the F-35 to ST country.
The representative from ST country initially offered ten billion US dollars for the J-40, clearly hoping to strengthen their military and acquire fifth-generation or higher fighter jets.
This equated to a gamble.
Even if a J-40 was to be sold for one billion dollars, it was not possible; ST country’s intention was to enhance cooperation with China, with the ten billion dollar order serving as a foot in the door, hoping to sign even larger orders in various fields.
ST country was definitely a super-wealthy client, with their military procurent often running into the tens of billions of US dollars.
The senior leader thought it over and decided to let his subordinates explain the strategic importance of the J-40, while also hinting that other models of fifth-generation fighters could be considered for joint research and developnt with ST country.
Upon hearing this, Zhang Gangchuan knew it was a case of aiming for sothing for nothing, but he couldn’t help but admire the strategy, "Brilliant!"
The Aviation Group had other fifth-generation models under developnt, like the J-31, but the J-31 was still in the design phase. Suggesting joint research with ST country obviously ant that they would provide the research funds, while China would contribute the relevant technical personnel, thus enabling research and production to proceed.
Of course, international military research and developnt cooperation typically work this way; technology is the core asset. Without technology, no amount of money has any significance.
The representative from ST country was clearly unable to make decisions about cooperation on the spot, and could only express their interest and inquire about the potential contents and intentions of the partnership.
In the end, the two sides did sign a contract, concerning the Kunlun II engines.
ST country would initially purchase fifty Kunlun II engines, with a unit price of twenty-one million US dollars each, and delivery promised within three years.
The performance paraters of the Kunlun II engine were sufficient to satisfy ST country, as the engine could support fourth-generation and above fighter jets. Technological improvents, such as designing a dual-engine drive, could potentially support even higher-performing fighters.
Even if it was unable to accommodate single-engine fifth-generation fighters, it’s important to rember that fifth-generation fighters are not only about engines; the design and other capabilities are crucial, not just the engine.
There are nurous applications for the Kunlun II engine; it can be used in heavy fighter jets, reconnaissance aircraft, and beyond. It’s not limited to just fighter jets, and the engines have a wide range of uses when purchased separately.
ST country was only purchasing engines, but they were still hoping for a cooperative production effort.
A re fifty-unit order would not justify a cooperative production; further cooperation would require a larger order as the only viable path forward.
But undoubtedly, the initial contact and cooperation between the two parties could be deed perfect.
Further cooperation could then continue to be negotiated.
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