Building a Technological Power Starting with the Type 59 missile and Going Astray in Technological Development

Chapter 21: All main weapons other than 120mm smoothbore guns are eliminatedChapter 21: All main weapons other than 120mm smoothbore guns are eliminated

As the representative of the Mechanical Arsenal expressed his doubts without any reservation, the scene suddenly fell into noise.

A group of Yan country’s military leaders were whispering to each other.

They were filled with confusion and worry because they had been expecting the second-generation main battle tank to be equipped with a more powerful 120mm smoothbore gun.

However, reality dealt them a heavy blow.

The performance of the 212 Mechanical Arsenal on this key project was extremely disappointing. The 120mm smoothbore gun project has remained on paper to date with no progress at all.

This situation made the military leaders feel very helpless and anxious.

They are well aware that time waits for no one, and if this problem cannot be solved as soon as possible, it will seriously affect the country’s military strength and strategic layout.

But it’s not the fault of the 212 Mechanical Arsenal.

Without financial support from the military, it would be almost impossible to ensure that the project proceeds normally.

Especially in the early days of reform and opening up, everything had to give way to the economy.

The military budget of Yan State has been cut again and again.

All the major third-line military factories were in trouble.

The same is true for the 212 Mechanical Arsenal!
Even the workers’ wages and welfare benefits are difficult to guarantee.

Where is the extra money to invest in the research of the new 120mm smoothbore gun project?

Being able to develop a 115mm smoothbore gun is quite impressive.

Currently, the 120mm smoothbore gun project is still in the planning stage, but as long as sufficient funds are invested in it, success will be just around the corner.

Not only that, the research work on the second-generation main battle tank is not something that can be accomplished overnight.

Even if progress is the smoothest, it will probably take several years to complete the verification phase.

It is particularly important to emphasize that the design and development plan for the second-generation main battle tank proposed by the 625 Mechanical Arsenal is a brand-new concept, and many aspects need to be re-examined.

Su Yiming, who was standing on the stage, naturally knew all of this.

He responded calmly: ”Although the 120mm smoothbore gun is unlikely to be available in the short term.”

”It also takes a lot of time for the second-generation main battle tank to go from verification and testing to official launch.”

”I believe in the strength of the 212 Mechanical Arsenal. As long as we give them enough funds, they will definitely be able to design and develop a 120mm smoothbore gun.”

Su Yiming said this very confidently.

Just as the representative of the Mechanical Arsenal was about to refute Su Yiming, Lin Chenran, who was sitting in the last row, suddenly raised his hand, as if he had something to say.

When Mr. Wei saw this scene, the corners of his mouth slightly raised and he nodded, indicating that he agreed to let him speak.

After getting permission, Lin Chenran stood up and bowed deeply to everyone present.

Then he said in a clear and firm voice: ”Maybe you are not familiar with me yet, so first allow me to introduce myself.”

”I am the representative of the 077 Mechanical Military Factory. My name is Lin Chenran.”

After Lin Chenran finished introducing himself, the whole scene instantly became lively and everyone began to talk among themselves.

”So he is Lin Chenran, the director of the 077 Mechanical Military Factory!” someone said in surprise.

”What a promising young man!” another person exclaimed.

”I heard that the idea of ​​converting the Type 59 tank into a civilian engineering vehicle came from him.” Upon hearing this, Mr. Wei immediately waved his hand, signaling everyone to be quiet.

Just then, the conversations of the representatives from the mechanical military factory gradually faded.

Lin Chenran went on to say: ”If our second-generation main battle tank uses a 110mm smoothbore gun or a 115mm smoothbore gun, then it would be a pipe dream for us to reach the international first-class level in the field of tanks.”

His tone was firm and serious, and everyone couldn’t help but fall into deep thought.

”Everyone should know that military powers such as Russia and the United States have already applied 125mm smoothbore guns to their main battle tanks and have been using them for many years.”

“Even some second-rate countries have already adopted 120mm smoothbore guns, so do we still have to stay at the stage of 110mm or 115mm smoothbore guns?
“This is undoubtedly falling behind.”

Lin Chenran’s words rang in everyone’s ears like a warning bell.

At this time, Mr. Zhu also stood up and agreed with Lin Chenran’s words: ”That’s right, although our country’s 120mm smoothbore cannon has not yet been successfully developed, with our country’s scientific research strength, we will definitely be able to make a breakthrough in a few years.”

He swept his eyes firmly over everyone present and continued, ”We cannot only care about the immediate interests, but also focus on future development. Only with advanced weapons and equipment can we ensure national security and military combat effectiveness.”

Then Mr. Zhu revealed a piece of information: ”The second-generation main battle tank of our 617 Machinery Arsenal will also be equipped with a 120mm smoothbore gun as the main weapon.”

Although there is a tense competitive relationship between the 617 Mechanical Arsenal and the 625 Mechanical Arsenal.

But ”right is right, wrong is wrong.”

We cannot damage the interests of the country just because the 617 Machinery and Arsenal are in competition with the 625 Machinery and Arsenal.

Mr. Zhu is known as the ”soul figure” of the Yan State tank industry. With his outstanding wisdom and profound attainments, he has become a legendary man who supports half of the Yan State tank history.

Every decision he makes affects the development direction of Yan Country’s tanks.

When he expressed his support for the use of 120mm smoothbore guns as the main weapon of Yan’s second-generation tanks, this decision undoubtedly became the final conclusion.

As a result, the faces of other representatives who had not yet introduced the design and development plans of the second-generation tanks of their own mechanical military factories suddenly became embarrassed.

These representatives were secretly grumbling in their hearts, as they had originally been full of confidence in preparing to present their plans to everyone.

But at this moment they discovered that the second-generation tank design and development plan they brought had no advantages at all!

They had always believed that their plan was much better than the previous two.

Although both are 110mm or 115mm smoothbore guns, it is superior in speed and defensive armor.

However, the reality dealt them a heavy blow - the design and development plan of the second-generation tank without a 120mm smoothbore gun was directly rejected by the Yan State military.

At this time, the conference room fell into silence, and only the second-generation tank design and development plans of three mechanical military factories survived.

The three lucky ones are: the 625 Mechanical Military Factory that was just introduced on stage, the 617 Mechanical Military Factory where Mr. Zhu works, and the 077 Mechanical Military Factory where Lin Chenran, who just supported Su Yiming, works.

Faced with such a situation, everyone looked at each other, not knowing what to do for a moment.

Some people showed surprised expressions, as if they couldn’t believe what was happening before their eyes;
Some people frowned and were lost in thought;
Some people opened their lips slightly, wanting to say something, but ultimately chose to remain silent.

The entire conference room was filled with a tense and oppressive atmosphere, as if a storm was about to come.

”this”

”That”

Various exclamations and voices of doubt intertwined together, making the already chaotic scene even more complicated.

077 Mechanical Military Factory is so advanced?
The main weapon of the second-generation tank is the ”120mm smoothbore gun”.