The first update

In order to make a name for himself as a new type of individual equipment, Yanayev encouraged manufacturers of R&D equipment to promote the newly developed 6094 vest and the new Kalashnikov tactical fishbone at the European Defense Exhibition. When the name of the new Molle system tactical vest began to spread across Europe, then the Soviet army had to pay attention to the development of new equipment.

So the 1995 NATO Defense Show was a very rare Soviet booth dedicated to selling soldiers' personal equipment, the government's newest Moscow individual equipment factory to display their new tactical fishbones, the former for Eastern European countries accustomed to using Kalashnikov, and the latter to promote the name of the MOLLE system tactical vest.

Compared to the booths of other exhibitions of firearms and heavy weapons, the number and flow of the Moscow Individual Equipment Factory is pitiful, and despite the Soviet motifs of sickles and hammers hanging in front of the exhibition halls, the former representatives of Eastern European countries involuntarily quicken their pace when passing by this red memory.

The unveiled 6094 vest did attract representatives of some Western European countries to stop and watch, but after hearing the price quoted by the other party, they were discouraged, this is indeed the first time that the Soviet Union, which has always advocated rough, simple and durable, entered the high-end market, so the price of the 6094 vest is twice as high as the price of the carrying gear that is now in service in France and the United Kingdom. For the armies of large European countries whose thinking is still convenient, practical and cheap, 6094 is at most suitable for small-scale service in special forces. Not suitable for mass popularity in the army.

However, the design of the 6094 vest still attracted the attention of some small local tyrants, such as the government delegation of Belgium, and the Belgian royal prince Albert also followed the delegation to attend the European defense exhibition. He stopped when he saw the 6094 vest hanging from the booth of the Moscow Individual Equipment Factory.

"What's the matter, Your Majesty?" The entourage asked them what they were going to do to see the latest American heavy weapons exhibition hall, but where the Belgian delegation really wanted to visit.

Prince Albert is no longer the young and ambitious **** in 1945, he became a king forty years later, he has gray hair, but when he saw the 6094 vest, he felt that this tactical vest was very novel.

"Nothing, I want to see this vest." Albert left his entourage and walked alone into the Moscow booth. He asked the staff about the purpose of the vest.

"Module combinations? It's a new term. Albert picked up the black tactical vest on the table, the new type of vest was much lighter than he had expected, and could be combined with a variety of modular accessories. From NATO's 5.56 caliber magazine to the 7.62 caliber magazine bag of the Soviet socialist countries, it is relatively much more convenient.

"This kind of design can lead to a revolution in carrying equipment, and this excellent design can save the military money on carrying equipment, for example, we want to convert all kinds of firearms at will. Then you can change from a Kalashnikov rifle to a P90 submachine gun by replacing a pack. Very interesting design. And I want to know the price. ”

When the staff at the Moscow booth revealed a lot of money, Albert just frowned and did not turn around and walk away like the other delegates. Obviously, this advanced carrying equipment attracted his attention, and the Belgian army was not as big as other countries, but on the contrary, their soldiers were more luxurious than other countries.

"It is true that the price of using nylon is much more expensive than that of Synthesis, but if you purchase a certain quantity, can you reduce the price? After all, this kind of level is a new thing for all countries, and they need a certain amount of time to understand and accept. Albert began to try to bargain with the company's staff.

"If you can. I think we in the Belgian police are willing to procure some of these tactical vests for testing. If the results are good, the order will be added, how about it? ”

Apparently the order exceeded the expectations of the director of the factory, who had just negotiated a deal with the representatives of Hungary and Romania, who were willing to buy Kalashnikov fish bones from the Moscow individual equipment factory on a small scale to test their effectiveness, and the Romanian side also purchased a batch of KOBRA reflex sights, although Aimpoint's offer was cheaper.

After negotiating these two deals, when returning to the booth, the director of Manier happened to meet the staff who hurriedly walked towards him and explained the situation to him in a low voice, and then Manier personally negotiated with Prince Albert. The other party is an important member of the European royal family, and even if the Belgian army is willing to purchase its own tactical vests, it will be enough for the newly established manufacturer to continue to develop.

Since 1991, military factories have the right to freely sign orders with foreign military and police departments, as long as it does not involve some high-end military secrets, the Soviet government often gives preferential treatment and care, and these manufacturers can survive in the most difficult years often rely on orders that are freely pulled. For example, Mikoyan's MiG-29 carrier-based aircraft modification contract with the Indian Ministry of Defence, and the Miri Design Bureau, which has been dumping cheap and durable Mi-8 helicopters in Africa and South Africa through Victor Victor, a death merchant. In the most turbulent years of the economy, they used this means to maintain their profits by opening up overseas markets. So that there was no situation of bankruptcy and collapse.

Therefore, the Moscow individual equipment manufacturing plant, which has just been established and does not have a certain foundation in China, has set its sights on a broader overseas market, and he hopes that through Western countries that have a lot of stupid money, oh no, a country with deep financial resources, can provide enough orders to keep him alive.

"We want to buy 200 sets of tactical vests to use in our own testing Belgian military police, and if it works well, then we can sign another order. I thought your design was very interesting, so I wanted to make a request about the magazine bag. ”

Albert put the magazine pack of 5.56 NATO rounds in front of the factory manager Manier and said, "I need a magazine pack that can be perfectly combined with the FAC rifle, and I don't think your company will refuse this request, right?" After all, there are only two types of rifles you have on display here: AR and AK. If the price is right, I think I'll consider working more closely. ”

Albert threw an olive branch to the director of the Manier factory, letting the other party know how much he valued this product, and Manier, who had waited for a long time to receive the first business, was of course unwilling to let go of such a great opportunity.

"Of course, there is no problem, if you need it, even the P90 magazine bag can be professionally customized for you. And in terms of price, it will also be discounted. Director Manier said with a smile.

"Thank you very much." Albert nodded, he asked the entourage of the army officer to be responsible for discussing other matters with the factory director, this once served in the Belgian army, and has a very high prestige within the army **** is not like the British royal family, after the constitution has become a national symbolic factor, he can still influence a country through his influence, although this country seems so small in Europe.

"I don't think Prime Minister De'ana likes this little gesture very much, right? After all, the political giant didn't like a king who had too many tangled relationships with the army. In the eyes of this old-fashioned guy, this means that the royal family has crossed that invisible red line a little. ”

Albert's self-talk made it impossible for the entourage who followed him to answer, but he only said self-deprecatingly, "Forget it, it's a pity that such an interesting thing is not equipped with troops, even if I can do a good thing, but I am really a little curious, this obscure small Soviet manufacturer that designed such a new product, can go in the future." (To be continued.) )