176: Chapter 176 A-225's Debut: Stepping Outside the Borders!

After Xu Hao finished work with Jiangnan Aviation, he planned to head to Changxing Shipyard on a chosen day.

Coincidentally, Professor Zhou Xuemin called.

"Hello, Xiao Hao!"

Xu Hao replied, "Professor Zhou."

After a few simple pleasantries, Professor Zhou Xuemin got straight to the point and explained his reason for calling.

"Serbia contacted the Chinese military; they want to order a batch of Exoskeleton Mecha from us."

"I'm asking for your opinion. Should we agree to their request?"

The main production workshops for Powered Exoskeleton Mecha were at Xu's Heavy Industry and Tangs Heavy Industry.

Therefore, Professor Zhou Xuemin had called specifically to ask for Xu Hao's thoughts.

Xu Hao thought for a moment before nodding in agreement.

"Sure, no problem at all. How many do they need to order?"

Business is business, no matter who it's with.

Serbia was one of the few Western Countries—or perhaps the only one—that maintained good relations with China.

The two countries also shared a deep cooperative relationship.

Since they had taken the initiative to seek cooperation and order Powered Exoskeleton Mecha, Xu Hao naturally agreed.

Xu Hao thought to himself.

If Serbia used the Powered Exoskeleton Mecha on the battlefield and those Western Countries saw how effective they were, would they also come to him with orders?

Even if the Western Countries had no such intentions, would other Middle Eastern countries or African nations be interested then?

Xu Hao couldn't guess these things for sure.

But Serbia ordering Powered Exoskeleton Mecha from China was a good start.

Professor Zhou Xuemin replied:

"They need five thousand units for the first batch. If the results are good, they might continue to order more in the future."

Five thousand units wasn't a lot, and the profit was small.

But even small gains were still gains.

Most importantly, it carried significant meaning.

Xu Hao readily agreed.

"No problem!"

"Once the money arrives, we'll deliver the goods immediately."

Professor Zhou Xuemin added:

"Alright, I'll let their contact person know."

"There's one more thing," Professor Zhou Xuemin added.

"The higher-ups requested that we use the A-225 Military Transport Aircraft to transport them this time."

"Once production is complete, fly them directly from Xu's Heavy Industry's military airport to Serbia!"

This request was quite intriguing.

Xu Hao's brow twitched slightly.

Previous Chinese arms sales were usually handled via sea freight or semi-submersible ships.

For larger weapons and equipment, such as warships or fighter jets, the buyers would come to inspect the goods themselves and, if satisfied, fly or sail them away directly.

Now.

For just five thousand units of Powered Exoskeleton Mecha, the Chinese authorities actually requested to use the A-225 Transport Aircraft for direct air transport.

The meaning behind this was multifaceted.

First, it showed sufficient importance!

It was as if they were telling Serbia:

"Hey! My old friend, look, I'm giving you enough face, right?"

"Even though it's only five thousand units of Powered Exoskeleton Mecha, I've used China's most advanced Transport Aircraft to fly them to you."

On the other hand, it was a show of strength!

China wanted to use this modest foreign arms sale to demonstrate the current level of the Chinese Air Force.

To tell the Western powers that we not only have excellent pilots but also Transport Aircraft with superior performance!

In times of peace, such a silent display was more like a warning and a reminder.

Xu Hao was happy to see China doing this.

Furthermore, he hoped there would be more and more of these 'muscle-flexing' actions.

Good equipment shouldn't just be manifested on the battlefield; it also needs to let the enemy know of its existence to provide a deterrent.

Xu Hao replied:

"Understood! I'll have Colonel Su make the arrangements for them to fly the A-225 and deliver them directly to Serbia."

With the matter settled, the two ended the call.

In the evening, Serbia's deposit was transferred to Xu's Heavy Industry's public account after being processed by the Chinese government.

That night, Xu Hao counted out five thousand units of the downgraded Powered Exoskeleton Mecha and had them loaded onto the A-225 Transport Aircraft.

The next day.

Loaded with five thousand units of Powered Exoskeleton Mecha, the A-225 Transport Aircraft took off from the runway and flew toward Serbia, tens of thousands of miles away.

Meanwhile.

The news of Serbia ordering Powered Exoskeleton Mecha from China was also learned by the outside world.

But they were clearly not focused on what was ordered, but rather on the fact that China was actually using the A-225 Transport Aircraft for transportation.

One must know.

Since China announced the commissioning of the A-225 Transport Aircraft, it had not yet performed an official overseas transport mission.

This was the first time the A-225 had traveled far overseas for a non-military mission.

Domestic netizens were very concerned, and foreign media and netizens were equally attentive.

Consequently.

Outside the airport in Serbia, many professional photographers and media outlets were waiting, hoping to capture the moment the A-225 landed.

Some media even started a live broadcast.

In the afternoon.

The A-225 Transport Aircraft, adorned with the red flag of China, appeared in the sky over the Serbian airport.

Against the backdrop of white clouds and blue sky, this silver-gray Transport Aircraft slowly descended toward the airport.

Its massive wheels made intimate contact with the runway; the fuselage only shook slightly before returning to calm, gliding smoothly along the runway.

Its low-profile yet domineering appearance and its reserved yet cool aura fully captured people's attention.

The low, steady roar of the engines echoed through the airport, making the hearts of the photographers waiting outside tighten suddenly.

Photographers and media personnel alike picked up their cameras, desperately capturing the brilliant moments of the A-225 Transport Aircraft.

"Oh my God, this A-225 is so cool!"

"Whew... even from a distance, the sense of pressure brought by such a large, heavy Transport Aircraft still hits you in the face."

"China's Transport Aircraft is so impressive!"

"Is this China's new military Transport Aircraft? Its performance looks very powerful."

"..."

Foreign media couldn't help but praise it.

The audience watching the live broadcast was also drawn to the A-225 at this moment.

"So cool! I really love this A-225 Transport Aircraft from China!"

"Our country needs such a Transport Aircraft too. Chinese friends, are you selling them? We want to order 100. I'm a netizen from Camel Country, and I really like China."

"My goodness, as expected of Saudi Arabia!"

"This A-225 Military Transport Aircraft from China is not inferior at all to the USA's C-5, C-17, and other large strategic Transport Aircraft. In fact, its performance might even be better."

"Dear Chinese friends, congratulations on having such a powerful Transport Aircraft! — From an old friend in Pakistan."

"..."

Netizens from other countries were suddenly silenced when they saw Camel Country being so generous.

But more than that, they were shocked by the strength and performance displayed by China's A-225.

It allowed them to witness the true strength of today's Chinese Air Force.

When the news reached home, domestic netizens also boiled with excitement!

They saw the A-225 successfully land at the Serbian airport with a graceful posture.

They also saw the praise, envy, and amazement from foreign media and netizens for the A-225.

The netizens were incredibly happy and extremely proud.

"Stepping out of the country, stepping out into the world—the Chinese Air Force is rising!"

"Haha, good... our fighter jets have finally taken to the vast skies."

"Thanks to the countless scientific researchers of China, and thanks to Engineer Xu!"

"..."

Netizens knew that being able to possess high-end fighter jets like the A-225 Transport Aircraft and the H-20 Strategic Stealth Bomber was because of Xu Hao's dedication.

In their hearts, they silently gave thanks and paid their highest respects to Xu Hao.