Davis tried his best to maintain his American-style fake smile, but in his heart he was cursing wildly.
I don't believe you for a second. Who collects 27 of these at once? Do they have money to burn?
This guy is just trying to raise the price and use these F-5s to take advantage of their navy.
"Mr. Sherlock, thank you for your appreciation of our fighter jets. However, we would be very kind to you to part with them. We are willing to buy back these 27 Tiger II fighter jets for $60 million."
Davis made his offer.
Xia Yu spent 45 million euros to buy the plane, which is equivalent to US$51.336 million at the current exchange rate of 1 to 1.1408.
The other party rounded up the price to 60 million dollars, meaning he could earn a difference of 8 million dollars.
Does our boss Huang look like someone who's short of your millions?
After going through so much trouble (and incidentally going to Switzerland), and negotiating repeatedly with them to finalize the deal, you can't get away with just a few green sheets of paper after all that effort.
"Lieutenant Colonel, you may not know this, but Firepower Defense will officially begin operating two F-16 fighter jets next year. We don't need to operate a new aircraft, especially since it's not much better than the Viper."
Xia Yu said after careful consideration.
But he had always harbored ill intentions towards another fighter jet of the opposing navy.
“I understand, I understand. What I mean is that you can use these three Hornets to provide these services at the aircraft carrier museum.”
Fighting Falcon is the official codename for the F-16, but pilots prefer to call it Viper. He communicated with Davis in a pilot's tone in order to build rapport.
"I'm not in a hurry, please go ahead!"
However, the Super Hornet, which is only 1.1 square meters away from the RCS and has been equipped with an F414-GE-400 engine, is far inferior in terms of payload and range.
The older, original Hornet models are bought in bulk, and they cost $20 million each!
Even if you get the second generation, it's still only three aircraft, averaging $20 million per aircraft, which shows that the US Navy is very sincere.
"My authority is for three F/A-18C or F/A-18D aircraft. If you insist on having F-14D aircraft, Mr. Sherlock, I will have to ask my superiors for permission."
Seeing that Xia Yu wasn't taking the bait, Davis pretended that Xia Yu had misunderstood him and started talking about the commercial operation of Bumblebee.
Unfortunately, apart from a few Persian Tomcats, the only other aircraft on Earth that are still airworthy is the Afica War Museum.
If the national government cuts off my parts supply, then I'll bribe specific people. Since I can't control my own people, I can only scrap hundreds of F-14s in the aircraft graveyard, leaving only a dozen or so Super Tomcats for close monitoring.
You're willing to sell even the Hornet, right? How about he takes a loss and only gives you three older, previous-generation carrier-based aircraft?
Davis was speechless for a moment. Yes, they still had the F-14s that had been completely retired.
Davis resubmitted his offer.
This level of decision is indeed not something that a lieutenant colonel can decide; only upper management has the authority to advise on the retirement of naval assets.
Xia Yu interrupted the other party and solemnly declared.
"No, no, no, I've never liked money. I'm not interested in money. Collecting is my current life pursuit. You know Paul Allen from Microsoft? Influenced by him, I gave up the idea of blindly pursuing money and started doing things that make me happy. Collecting makes me very happy."
"What do you think of three F/A-18Cs or F/A-18Ds?"
Xia Yu shook his head and said.
Following the other party's lead, Xia Yu stated his asking price.
Davis agreed with Xia Yu's opinion.
"Compared to the Hornet, I think tourists would prefer your other carrier-based aircraft. Three F-14Ds that are ready for airworthiness would be a price that would satisfy both of us."
Using the versatile Bumblebee and retiring all male cats is the best way to cut losses.
Seeing this, Davis thought to himself, "Pete was right after all. This kid really does want equipment without spending money."
Scorpion pooping, a unique business, how can you not do well!
But all of this is contingent on Old Mag agreeing to this one-for-nine contract.
This is necessary, especially when those with ulterior motives associate aircraft carriers with military uses.
With the disintegration of the former Soviet Union, this type of variable-sweep wing heavy twin-engine pure air superiority fighter completely lost its application scenario, and its maintenance was also expensive.
But Xia Yu is only really interested in Super Bumblebee and EA-18G Howler; he's not interested in the others, whether they're the original or the second generation.
These two Night Attack Hornets differ in that they are single-seater and dual-seater, and were ordered and delivered in the late 1980s. They were definitely better than the earlier Model A and Model B.
The Super Hornet and the regular Hornet are almost two different fighter jets. The regular Hornet is obviously not on the list of sensitive equipment, not to mention that this type of fighter jet has been almost completely retired in China, so exchanging it for a new one is very cost-effective.
Using the combination of the F-14 and the MiG-28, he was confident he could generate ten-figure revenue and maximize visitor traffic to other museum projects.
He wants to trade three of these junks for his precious Tiger II? Not even close!
Xia Yu was very dissatisfied with the new quote, but he had really misunderstood the other party.
Davis finally spoke again.
"But Mr. Sherlock, doesn't your museum operate an aircraft carrier...?"
Yes, the F-14 Tomcat, specifically the last model, the F-14D Super Tomcat.
It's not unreasonable for Xia Yu to want three of them. Even the most advanced fighter jets back then are now outdated, but their commercial value far outweighs their military value.
Just because it's useless against the US doesn't mean it's useless against other countries. China needs a pure air superiority fighter to protect its airspace!
"That's right, I've flown both of these fighter jets. The Viper is a pretty good fighter jet, except it's not very good for my neck. It's a pity it can't eject."
"I must make it clear that our aircraft carrier museum focuses on providing legitimate value-added services for visitors interested in military matters, and it has no other military purpose."
However, this suited him perfectly, as non-sensitive equipment only required explanation to Congress, whereas budgets, on the other hand, required Congressional approval.
Regarding this year's orders, Canada, which had a falling out with its big brother, canceled its Super Hornet order and instead acquired 25 F/A-18A and F/A-18B aircraft from the Altaia for $500 million.
Xia Yu waved his hand and said.
He really doesn't need to rush. Besides his 27 F-5 fighter jets, the only other F-5 fighter jets in the world with the best condition are the 26 from Switzerland.
The remaining Tiger IIs converted to F-5Ns by other countries have short remaining flight hours and cannot perform large maneuvers, making it a purely unprofitable business. It would be better not to convert them and instead use them to train naval novices.
Veteran pilots must use the best F-5s, but even veterans can't force Switzerland to retire its remaining Tiger IIs. They can only use a trade-off, such as giving you priority purchase rights for F-35s.
But they haven't decided whether to buy the Rafale or the F-35 yet!
So all that effort in allocating resources is more troublesome than getting an F-5 from Xia Yu, who has a clear offer.
Davis walked out of Xia Yu's container office, took the encrypted satellite phone from his subordinate, dialed a number to contact his superior, and relayed Xia Yu's offer for three F-14Ds.
"You really know how to give me a tough challenge. Three airworthy F-14Ds. The Navy can't do that right now. We'll have to get Grumman to do it."
"Commodore Michael, the wing commander, complained over the phone."
The Tomcat hasn't been maintained for over a decade, so the Navy's maintenance team has indeed lost the ability to maintain this type of fighter jet. In that case, we have to contact the manufacturer.
However, Davis could tell from his boss's tone that the other party seemed to think the deal was feasible.
Of course it's feasible. What's wrong with trading old, obsolete planes? As long as the other party doesn't resell them to the Persians after delivery...
Wait, it's okay to sell. They have inside contacts. Selling gives them a pretext to punish you.
“Lieutenant Colonel, this batch of F-5 fighter jets is very important to us. They will all be upgraded to the F-5N standard, so you must make sure that they are not sold during this period. I will go and coordinate this matter now.”
The two chatted for a while longer, and Michael finally spoke solemnly.
"Yes, sir!"
Davis answered with his legs together.
The superior's orders were both vague and clear.
"Vague" means that Xia Yu cannot be given a definite answer, while "clear" means that the other party can be given an indication that they approve of the deal, but it needs time to proceed.
Americans also understand the art of speaking, but only to the upper and middle classes; soldiers are much more direct.
"This seems like good news."
Seeing Davis come to the office again, Xia Yu asked.
"It's good news. The higher-ups hope you won't rush to sell these F-5 fighter jets. That way, you'll get what you want at the right time."
Well, as expected of the number one capitalist country on Earth, everything has a price, and whether it's sold or not depends on whether you can afford it.
The F-35 is also an option, provided that independent and sovereign countries relinquish their independence and autonomy, while non-independent countries have to pay more.
Such harsh conditions were unacceptable to Xia Yu, who preferred to try his luck on the seabed with the Nautilus.
The less sensitive F-14D cannot be bought with US dollars, but it can be obtained by exchanging resources.
It's fortunate that it's past the open road, so it can be commercially operated. Otherwise, it would just be like the F-111 Aardvark, stored in a cave base, unable to see the light of day without any source of funding.
"I'm not in a hurry. I've been busy dealing with the Boko Holy Land project and haven't had a chance to contact my friends in Kenya!"
Xia Yu reassured the other party.
Justin would only offer a maximum of $60 million; his main interest was in the F-5s that were being decommissioned and nearing the end of their service life.
Converting this type of aircraft into a target drone is the most cost-effective option, as the cost can be reduced to less than 500,000. Once the cannon is fully loaded with bullets and equipped with R73 and R27 missiles, a price of 5 million is really not expensive.
Of course, using the Phoenix to attack transport planes is also an option.
Compared to being dismantled, exhibited in a museum, or collected by a private collector, being shot down in flight is the best fate for a war vehicle.
Xia Yu could easily buy up retired military aircraft from all over the world, modify them, and put them to good use, thus fulfilling his mission of keeping aircraft alive.
Safety is also a concern. It would be bad if the wreckage of a shot-down plane hit the flowers and plants, or if it injured civilians or caused a fire, which would be even more troublesome.
He planned to define the operational airspace over several uninhabited islands and reefs.
"Then we are relieved. We will not disturb you any longer, Mr. Sherlock."
After reaching an agreement, Davis prepared to leave, and he would come back to Xia Yu with the contract in about a month.
However, it will be at least the second half of next year before the three F-14Ds are officially delivered.
Unsealing fighter jets from an aircraft graveyard is a complicated process, not nearly as efficient as portrayed in documentaries, especially considering that these are three Super Tomcats of the same type that have long been decommissioned.
"Take care, we look forward to hearing good news from you."
After watching the other person get into the car and head towards the airport, Xia Yu returned to his office.
He was able to get equipment from the Americans without relying on PMC business, thanks to his good habit of buying when the opportunity arose.
The news that the US Navy is short of F-5s is quite counterintuitive. However, it is an old aircraft that ceased production in 1978. Once the producing country has used up its supply, it can only buy back the aircraft from the selling country, rather than investing money to restart the production line.
If they switched to other aircraft types, the entire aggressor squadron would have to be upgraded with new fighter jets, and it would take years before they could achieve combat readiness. The historical inertia is extraordinary.
This is also why, even though they can buy old Fighting Falcons in their hometown, they don't use this fighter jet as the opposing force.
Hiring Alvin and his team also leans more towards strategy and tactics.
So this was just a coincidence. Whether we can still get our hands on the US in the future depends on where they can still exert pressure on the US.
After calming down a bit, Xia Yu threw herself back into her fire prevention work.
Over the next two days, three C-130H aircraft transported more than 100 people from NNSBS to Kamalung.
After their rest period, the members of the special boat unit regained their elite spirit.
However, given that Firepower Defense has fewer than 200 full-time employees, raiding Boko Haram's branch, which has nearly 2,000 people, is still quite challenging.
"Don't worry, this is the first battle for our KF-41 lynx. This 35mm cannon will make them regret joining the extremist organization."
Standing in front of the heavy infantry fighting vehicle sponsored by Rheinmetall, Xia Yu encouraged Festus.
This is not the first time that Jihuo Defense has used 35mm cannons in combat. The twin 35mm cannons of the Red Cheetah are also often laid flat to strike ground targets.
“I firmly believe this, but what worries me is that these bastards have been keeping quiet. They must be plotting something big.”
Festus expressed his concerns.
He had been dealing with Boko Haram for many years and knew his character very well.
"There's nothing we can do but avenge the victims."
Xia Yu said helplessly.
Firefighting teams are better at striking targets; they don't encounter many hostage rescue cases.
"Yes, this debt..."
"Calling Commander, there's a situation back home, they're contacting you."
The sudden ringing of the walkie-talkie interrupted the two.
It was one of Festus's men; something must have happened at Nizhiliya.
"Da da da"
In broad daylight, in the town of Dapuchi, Yobe State, northeast of Nijiliya, more than a dozen armed pickup trucks drove into a women's technical college, followed by the distinctive sound of AK gunfire.
The masked armed thugs came here to do only two things: kill and rob female students.
Boko Holy Land not only has a penchant for abducting female students, but also specifically female students from church schools.
Three years ago, they became famous by robbing 200 people. Today, they want to replicate that feat and rob them to their heart's content.
"Da da da"
The armed guards at the school gate threw down their guns and ran, but were still mowed down by a burst of bullets from members of the Boko Sanctuary.
The thugs stormed into the school building, grabbed the infidel female students who were running around like chicks, tied their hands with ropes, and threw them into the back of a truck.
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