General Morais had no way of being sure whether what Fang Lang said was the correct direction and trend. Now that he was the Minister of Defense, he did not dare to take any risks.
Originally, they wanted to fully support Fang Lang in building a light weapons factory in China, but now after hearing what Fang Lang said, they began to feel uncertain.
"Fang, I have no objection to your research into new technologies and new directions. However, I think we can start by trying to manufacture the current mainstream firearms.
For example, I can come forward to negotiate with the United States for the production authorization of the M1 Garand rifle, and then your small arms factory can produce this rifle first. "
Fang Lang understood that General Morais was worried that Fang Lang was aiming too high and was not optimistic about Fang Lang's idea of directly developing a fully automatic rifle.
Regarding General Moraes' offer to help obtain authorization for the M1 Garand rifle, Fang Lang believed that it would not be difficult given the current relationship between the United States and Brazil.
However, as far as Fang Lang knew, the total production of the M1 Garand rifle reached 5.5 million, which is a rather terrifying number.
At the same time, the number of M1 Garand rifles that Shata Company can purchase directly from the US Department of Logistics is in the millions. With such a huge number, if Fang Lang continues to join in production, it will definitely be a waste of money in the future.
Fanglang will never do this kind of loss-making trading.
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Moreover, the cost of negotiating with the United States for the authorization of the M1 Garand at this time would be less than going directly to Germany to obtain authorization for the G43.
But after these guns were produced, Fang Lang didn't know who to sell them to.
Therefore, Fang Lang considered it again and again and said:
"General, if I directly set up a light weapons manufacturing company, will the Brazilian Defense Force replace all its weapons and equipment with those produced by us?"
This question certainly cannot be answered affirmatively. After all, the Brazilian army is not Fang Lang’s army. How could they replace all their equipment just for the sake of localization?
I saw General Morais shook his head slightly embarrassedly.
Fang Lang smiled. He didn't want to embarrass the Minister of Defense. When he saw the other party shaking his head, he continued:
“So, we don’t need to have a large output of small arms factories right now, or produce a lot of equipment for active service, right?
My opinion is that we should build a small weapons factory to conduct experiments.
At the same time, we will also conduct research on light weapons, both military and civilian weapons.
Maybe our main product in the early stage will be hunting rifles!"
In fact, it’s not that Fang Lang doesn’t want to directly own an excellent light weapons manufacturing plant, it’s just that the time is very awkward now, as the World War has just ended.
Military industrial enterprises around the world have just relaxed from large-scale arms production and slightly slowed down the manufacture of weapons and equipment.
Although equipment has a service life, everyone is now focusing on clearing inventory.
If you start to enter this market on a large scale at this time, not only will you not make any money, but you will also have to lose a lot of money.
If anyone wants arms, wouldn't it be better to just earn some dividends from Shata Company?
Brazil's artillery factories are much better.
After all, Brazil did not have many troops participating in the European war, and the National Defense Forces did not have many advanced artillery pieces.
And the artillery factory is aiming at large-caliber artillery of 105mm and 155mm caliber, which is urgently needed by the Brazilian Army.
For the officers of the Brazilian Expeditionary Force who had experienced the baptism of the European War, the main artillery of the Brazilian Army are now 75mm caliber mountain cannons, which is really unacceptable for them who have seen the world.
Therefore, Fang Lang was not worried at all that the artillery factory would have no business.
Now we have to see when the artillery factory will include various series of mortars in its production plan.
"Okay! You convinced me. But I have to tell you that I strongly support your small arms factory plan.
Even if we don’t produce light weapons on a large scale now, we must have the ability to produce light weapons on a large scale.”
General Moraes’ meaning was actually very clear, which was to allow Brazil to have its own light weapons industry and the ability to manufacture on a large scale.
Fang Lang thought for a moment and said:
"General, to thank you for the help of our family, I will first build the bullet production line in the factory to ensure that our own army uses domestic bullets."
You should know that until modern times, there are only more than 30 countries in the world that can produce bullets, and only thirteen countries that can produce artillery shells.
It’s not that bullets really can’t be made. Many people can make bullets using manual craftsmanship. How can you say that bullets are difficult to make?
However, being able to produce qualified bullets on a large scale and being able to manufacture bullets are two completely different concepts.
Take India for example. They keep boasting that their aircraft carrier will be launched today and that they will have the most advanced tanks tomorrow. How awesome! But this country actually does not even have the ability to mass-produce qualified bullets.
Fang Lang said that there were reasons for building a bullet production line. One was that he wanted to take advantage of this special period to master the bullet production capacity.
Second, bullets are consumables, and military training consumes bullets. The rifling of a gun is not so easy to grind out, and even in many places, even if the rifling is worn out, the gun will not be easily replaced.
But bullets are different. Once you shoot one, they are gone and you have to buy new ones. This is a long-term business!
Also, the exit of a bullet is far less sensitive than the exit of a weapon.
It won't attract anyone's attention at all.
"Okay, as long as your bullet production line can mass-produce qualified bullets, I can promise you that the National Defense Forces will only purchase bullets from your factory in the future."
General Morais was very happy after hearing what Fang Lang said. It was difficult to replace weapons and equipment, but purchasing bullets was not difficult at all for him.
This can not only ensure the domestic production of bullets, but also help Fang Lang further stabilize the profitability of the light weapons factory, so as not to let the rare light weapons factory die in the womb. It can be regarded as the biggest direct support.
Fang Lang was of course very happy about General Morais' promise, which meant that as long as he had the production capacity, his customers would be stable.
Thinking of General Morais's desire to have a strong national defense industry, Fang Lang thought for a moment and said:
"General, I actually have another project on hand, and I may need your support then."
Hearing this, General Morais was surprised. He didn't expect that in addition to the artillery factory and light weapons, Fang Lang actually had other projects on hand.
He was greatly surprised, and said in surprise regardless of his identity:
"Oh! Tell me, what other projects are there?"
Because Polman had not yet given a clear answer as to whether the aircraft designer had been recruited, Fang Lang could not be too sure and could only say:
"I plan to set up an aircraft modification factory. I will first purchase American military transport aircraft and modify them into passenger aircraft. Then I will see if there is an opportunity to develop into the aviation industry."
"What? You want to enter the aviation industry? However, it is difficult for Brazil's basic industry to support an aviation company!"
General Moraes obviously has some knowledge of the aviation industry.
It is also very clear that Brazil's weak industrial base makes it difficult to support the development of an aircraft manufacturing plant.
Therefore, in his opinion, the reason why Fang Lang wanted to enter the aviation industry was obviously because he had the same dream of independent national defense as him.
For a moment, Fang Lang's image in his eyes began to become extremely dazzling, as if he saw another self, and this young man was more courageous than himself.
He used his family's financial resources to enter the defense industry at all costs, which was something he himself could not do.
After hearing what General Morais said, Fang Lang smiled and said:
"General, haven't you heard about the recent plan to introduce the automobile industry? In fact, this plan is the way I plan to develop the aviation industry."
Of course General Moraes had heard about the introduction of the automobile industry system. This was promoted by General Dutra as his greatest political achievement since he took office. How many people in the government don't know about this?
He also knew that this project was introduced by Fang Lang, and that Fangyuan Group was the largest shareholder of this project.
At that time, he had no idea that this project would actually pave the way for the aviation industry.
It seems that the young man in front of me is not simple!
He is a man who thinks three steps ahead before taking one step. How can such a person be allowed to be an ordinary naval officer?
At the very least, he should be assigned to the General Staff Headquarters and be responsible for promoting the localization of weapons and equipment, so that his talents can be fully utilized!
Thinking of this, General Morais did not hesitate any longer and spoke directly:
“Fang, it’s such a waste for you to be a mere admiral in the navy.
Are you interested in working in the General Staff Headquarters?
I can promise you that I will be promoted to the rank of major general within two years.
Become a powerful general in charge of a separate department.
I believe that with your ability, you may soon become the next Chief of Staff of the Wehrmacht or even the Minister of Defense."
These words scared Fang Lang. The original General Morais was not like this. He still remembered that when they first met, he fell into his trap and gave up his good job as a transport captain to become a destroyer captain.
Now he wants to give up his position as a powerful general and go to work in an office in the General Staff. This is not his goal.
He quickly shook his head and said:
"General, please don't do that.
I also want to become the commander of Brazil's first aircraft carrier fleet!
I can't bear to work in an office."
After hearing Fang Lang's words, General Morais suddenly remembered something and laughed:
"Haha... I remember now, you wanted to join the war in the Pacific battlefield because you wanted to learn about aircraft carrier command experience!
So what did you learn?”
This is a bit embarrassing. Fang Lang has not actually learned aircraft carrier tactics on an aircraft carrier, but he has learned the tactics of the US Air Force at the airport.
However, since I want to be the commander of an aircraft carrier fleet, I certainly cannot say that I have not learned aircraft carrier tactics!
The person in front of him is the Minister of Defense. If he directly says that he has not learned aircraft carrier tactics, he will have no chance to become the commander of an aircraft carrier formation.
After thinking for a while, he said:
"General, due to the short time, I have only learned aviation tactics. I originally wanted to learn aircraft carrier tactics when I continued to fight the Japanese.
As a result, Japan surrendered.
However, please rest assured that if I am asked to be the commander of the aircraft carrier fleet, I am confident that I can do the job."
Fang Lang's answer neither said that he had learned aircraft carrier tactics, nor did he say that he had not learned aircraft carrier tactics.
According to General Morais, he had only learned half of the skills. The second half was originally planned to be learned on the battlefield, but he did not expect that the war would end.
Even if he didn't learn it all, he is still the only senior officer in the entire Brazilian army who understands aircraft carrier tactics.
Moreover, Fang Lang was born in the infantry, and as a navy officer he was the only one who had participated in actual combat and had an excellent record. At the same time, he studied aviation tactics in the US Navy.
There is no other officer in the whole of Brazil who is more suitable than him to be the commander of the aircraft carrier formation.
General Morais looked at the young officer in front of him, and for a moment, he felt a lot of emotions in his heart.
This is really a young man with great potential! He is good at both literature and martial arts. When I was his age, I didn't have such abilities.
I actually had the idea that I was not as good as him.
Perhaps it is only under his leadership that the Brazilian Defense Force can become a truly modern and powerful army!
The desire to train him as his successor became stronger.
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