"Well, Monsieur Hugo, this matter is over. www.biquge.info I hope that in our future negotiations, all the data and information you have provided us with are true and reliable, otherwise we cannot guarantee that our cooperation will continue. You should know that weapons and equipment are different from other products, and they must be done rigorously and reliably, knowing that even a decimal point can affect the victory of a battle. Jiang Chen said to Hugo. In fact, this is just a reminder or a short-term victory, and the role is very limited. In publicity, people always like to exaggerate some of the advantages of the product and then ignore some of the disadvantages. Arms sales are also commodity transactions, so this is inevitable, which requires Jiang Chen and them to be more calm and objective to judge whether these data are true, what is the water content, and so on.

"Jiang, I guarantee that the data and information provided to you in the future will be true and reliable. Of course, this is within the permissible range. You know that this fighter has entered service with our navy, so we cannot provide you with some information and information, please forgive me. Hugo hurriedly explained to Jiang Chen.

"I understand that. Jiang Chen nodded and said, "However, I now have a question, that is, since this fighter has been put into service with your navy, do you have the right to export this fighter, and can we buy it." ”

Hearing Jiang Chen's words, Hugo hesitated for a moment before saying to Jiang Chen: "The problem you said does exist, when we got the Navy order, there was indeed a provision that this fighter could not be exported in a short period of time. If it can be approved by the Navy and reviewed by our National Science, Technology and National Security Committee, then this fighter can be exported to you. That's why we've fuzzy some of the data, and we've signed a confidentiality agreement with the Navy. ”

"Oh, then why are you here, is there a way you can convince your navy that there is still that safety committee?" Jiang Chen asked.

Hearing Jiang Chen's question, Hugo smiled and said, "Jiang, don't worry, listen to me explain to you slowly." That's the case, our fighter is developed and built with a lot of money, and the hundreds of orders from the Navy alone will definitely not be able to meet us, so we have long turned our attention to the overseas market. In fact, as early as when we signed the agreement, there was a relevant agreement with the Navy, that is, we have the right to export the roadbed version of this fighter. You know that at present, our fighter is a naval carrier-based aircraft, and some of the designs and parts on it are designed in accordance with the standards of carrier-based aircraft, so the Navy requires us to keep the technology on this fighter secret and restrict exports. However, after removing these technologies and components, we used the platform of this aircraft to redesign and develop a new f_18 "Hornet" fighter based on the current most advanced roadbed fighter development ideas, which we call the f_18l "Hornet" fighter. And this improved fighter has less weight and better performance due to the fact that it does not require the installation of heavy carrier-based equipment. ”

Hearing Hugo's introduction, Jiang Chen shook his head and said: "Mr. Hugo, I understand the export rules of this fighter, should you use the 'castrated' 'bumblebee' to fool us, I think you are too insincere." ”

"No, no, Jiang, you can't think so. Hugo immediately said urgently: "Okay, I'll tell you the truth, this matter does not involve technical reasons, but in terms of part of the agreement, you know that although the development of this fighter is led by us, there are several other companies involved, so there are a lot of responsible agreements and terms involved." Of course, I'm not done yet, so you don't have to rush. As a friendly partner and potential ally of our country at present, we can actually export the f_18a/b model to you. And I said the base version, so that you have a choice, between your use and the target, I recommend this roadbed model to you. ”

Wait, Jiang Chen hurriedly interrupted: "Didn't you just say that you want to restrict exports, why is it okay now, is this feasible?" I need your affirmative answer, there is no room for mistakes in this matter." ”

Hugo smiled and said, "Hey, man, don't be in such a hurry. I don't lie to you about this, you know, as early as a few years ago, we delivered the first batch of F18A/B fighters to the Australian Air Force, and its entire structure is the same as the one currently used on our naval aircraft carriers. Therefore, we are in favor of believing that it will not be a problem for this fighter to be exported to your country, after all, you need an advanced fighter to deal with our common enemy. ”

"Well, Mr. Hugo, this is an investigation we are going to make. And if you really want us to provide this fighter and want to get this contract, you have to ask us to provide the relevant documents and explanations, otherwise we will not waste our precious time on this. Jiang Chen objected. Such a thing, he had to be cautious. And in his impression, it seems that this Northrop company has been heavily contracted for several years because of this f_18 Hornet fighter and which other company. For the sake of insurance, Jiang Chen still felt that it was safer to let Hugo show relevant certificates and explanatory materials.

Seeing Jiang Chen say this, although Hugo still wanted to fight for it, but seeing Jiang Chen's attitude was so resolute, he had to adjourn the meeting temporarily. He said that he would get the relevant materials approved as soon as possible and looked forward to the next meeting with Jiang Chen. However, I am afraid that there will be no chance to meet again, because not long after Jiang Chen sent the information of this report back to China, Jiang Chen and they received a notice from the domestic intelligence department. It shows that this Hugo and Northrop do not have ownership of the f_18 fighter. The real ownership is McDonnell Douglas, which owns the property rights of all aircraft types, including f_18l, and other companies do not have any right to sell the actual fighters, technical data, and even parts and other goods to the outside world, including f_18l.

Originally, according to the original cooperation agreement between McDonnell Douglas and Northrop, McDonnell Douglas was the main contractor for the carrier-based type, and Northrop was the main contractor for the land-based type. But almost immediately, cracks appeared in the cooperation between the two aviation giants, and a major disagreement arose over the export of the F-18L, and as soon as foreign users expressed interest in the F-18 land-based version, McDonnell Douglas immediately cut into selling the carrier-based version directly to customers. Northrop's top brass was outraged by this violation, and in October 1979 Northrop initiated a number of legal proceedings against McDonnell Douglas. It is alleged that McDonnell Douglas engaged in unfair competition and that the F-18A marketed to foreign users used a large amount of Northrop F-18L technology, and that McDonnell Douglas tried to compete directly with the F-18L by selling an improved version of the F-18 to Esel. Northrop asked the court to prohibit McDonnell Douglas from selling any F-18 modifications with Northrop technology to foreign governments. The lawsuit dragged on for several years and was not resolved until April 1985. Under the agreement, McDonnell Douglas became the prime contractor for all existing and future Hornet models, while Northrop ceased development of the F-18L.

After such an explanation, Jiang Chen and the others finally understood, it turned out that there were so many stories in it. Now no matter what proof materials this Hugo comes up with, Jiang Chen and they don't dare to negotiate with this Hugo anymore. It is also a pity that the domestic notice is timely, if it really reaches a relevant agreement with this Hugo, it will cause huge losses, and even Jiang Chen and they will be caught in the complex disputes between the two companies. Even Jiang Chen was wondering if this Hugo should be a liar, taking advantage of Jiang Chen's information backwardness to set up a game against Jiang Chen and them. Of course, such things were not uncommon in those days. There have even been several such jokes in later generations, most notably the news of the legendary meeting between the world's richest family and the president of a university. (To be continued.) )