146: International debut: J-10 debut!

The MiG Design Bureau and Sukhoi Design Bureau actually want the Dragon Country Air Force to introduce the MiG-29 and Su-27 fighter jets at a price of 10 billion US dollars?

This is simply treating Dragon Country as a big spender and making exorbitant demands!

The Soviet Union thought that since Dragon Country had earned a lot of foreign exchange through its Heavy Combined Arms Brigade, it might be eager to strengthen and expand its Air Force!

Their guess was correct!

However, they didn't realize that Dragon Country had already independently developed the J-10 Fighter Jet!

Its progress was even more advanced than the MiG-29 and Su-27 fighter jets!

After Comrade Peng Lin's decisive refusal, Director Yuri Leonid of the MiG Design Bureau, though his expression was grim, did not give up.

"Don't be so quick to refuse!"

"Comrade Peng Lin, allow me to be frank, your Dragon Country Air Force is facing unprecedented strategic pressure!"

Director Yuri Leonid of the MiG Design Bureau even had his assistant unroll an East Asian defense map and showed Comrade Peng Lin several key areas.

"The Eastern Island Nation has introduced a large number of F-15 heavy air superiority fighter jets from the USA, which, combined with E-2 early warning aircraft, can define a 200-kilometer air defense identification zone in the East Sea!"

"Even if your J-8 Fighter Jet is excellent, it cannot counter their third-generation heavy air superiority fighter jets in beyond-visual-range air combat!"

"Moreover, it's not just the east; there's also pressure from the White Elephant Country in your west!"

"They have signed an Air Force cooperation agreement with Gaul Rooster and will be equipped with a large number of Mirage 2000 fighter jets, enough to create a generational gap suppression against you in the plateau!"

"Once a conflict breaks out, your second-generation aircraft fleet will struggle to even break through border radar networks!"

As Director Yuri Leonid spoke, he slid the map south.

"Now look at Bay Island and the South Sea!"

"The USA' Seventh Fleet's carrier-based aircraft can threaten you across the border at any time, and even Bay Island's fighter jets and Air Force capabilities are stronger than yours!"

"Once Bay Island acquires the USA' F-16 fighter jets, it will be able to pose a 'chokehold' threat to your coastal economic zone at any time, stifling your maritime trade!"

"Therefore, what your Dragon Country Air Force needs is not the strongest second-generation aircraft, but a true third-generation aircraft!"

"The MiG-29 'Fulcrum's' short takeoff and landing capability allows it to be deployed at any of your frontline airfields, and the Su-27 'Flanker's' ultra-long range of 4,000 kilometers is enough to cover the entire South Sea!"

"For just 10 billion US dollars, we can not only provide fighter jets but also help you establish a complete air combat system!"

"Including data links, electronic countermeasures modules, and even tactical manuals for countering the F-15 and F-16, helping your Dragon Country Air Force train excellent ace pilots!"

"Think about it carefully, Comrade Peng Lin!"

After Director Yuri Leonid of the MiG Design Bureau finished speaking, he left with a meaningful smile.

It was clear that he believed that after pointing out the strategic pressure and predicament of the Dragon Country Air Force, Dragon Country would have no choice but to cooperate with the Soviet Union.

In his eyes, although the J-8 Fighter Jet, the latest equipment of Dragon Country, was excellent, it was ultimately only a second-generation fighter jet.

Its combat radius was only 600-800 kilometers.

For Dragon Country, with its vast territory and air defense needs, the range of this fighter jet was simply too short!

Once Dragon Country faced threats from two directions or simultaneous unexpected situations, the J-8 Fighter Jet would only be "exhausted" over the vast territory!

Only by choosing to cooperate with the Soviet Union could Dragon Country truly control the skies of East Asia and compete in the air with the Island Nation, Bay Island, and White Elephant Country!

"The Soviet Union is indeed well-informed about the strategic predicament of our Air Force!"

Comrade Peng Lin looked at the receding figure of Director Yuri Leonid of the MiG Design Bureau and showed a slight smile.

The Dragon Country Air Force was indeed under immense pressure regarding "territorial air defense"!

Otherwise, the Ministry of National Defense and the Air Force high command would not have agreed to dedicate the entire nation's aviation industry to developing a new third-generation fighter jet!

If there were no J-10 Fighter Jet, and the J-8 Fighter Jet had not undergone significant upgrades, the Dragon Country Air Force might really have agreed to the conditions proposed by the Soviet Union.

Or perhaps it might have chosen to introduce the Su-27 Fighter Jet, which was more suitable for the Dragon Country Air Force's strategic needs, from among the MiG-29 "Fulcrum" and Su-27 "Flanker"!

But now, Dragon Country had taken the lead in developing the third-generation J-10 Fighter Jet!

Why would it spend "heavy money" to introduce Soviet Union's fighter jets?

... The air show time passed quickly.

The morning primarily consisted of speeches by government leaders and the maiden flight performances of key aircraft models!

For example, Dragon Country's J-8 Fighter Jet, the host Gaul Rooster's Mirage 2000, the USA' F-16 fighter jet, and the "enterprise" space shuttle all performed corresponding displays and flight performances accompanied by military music and fireworks!

The members of the Dragon Country Aviation Industry Delegation who came with Comrade Peng Lin to the exhibition felt their horizons broadened after witnessing so many types of aircraft!

This was definitely a grand aviation industry exchange event!

However, by the afternoon, the atmosphere at the Paris Air Show had noticeably become somewhat tense!

It should be known that under the Cold Warpattern, international air shows were not harmonious commercial aviation exhibitions!

This was another battlefield where the two big brothers, along with their younger siblings, competed and vied in Air Force power!

Moreover, international air shows of this era were always relatively "hardcore"!

On the afternoon of the opening day, there was always a tradition of simulated Air Force combat for the purpose of "technical exchange"!

Generally, on the afternoon of the opening day of an air show, there was always a "simulated dogfight performance" between ace pilots from different countries!

"I wonder if we'll see a confrontation between the ace pilots of the Soviet Union and the USA at this Paris Air Show?"

Comrade Peng Lin showed a look of anticipation.

Leaving aside fighter jet performance, due to the scientific training systems of pilots from these two Superpowers and their extremely long flight hours, the USA and the Soviet Union had a very large number of ace pilots.

Especially the Soviet Union, whose ace pilots' flying skills were globally renowned.

However, just as Comrade Peng Lin was anticipating a good show in the afternoon, the air show's broadcast suddenly announced:

"The Dragon Country Air Force's newly commissioned J-8 Fighter Jet has demonstrated astonishing maneuverability, but the true value of a fighter jet lies in actual combat!"

"On behalf of the French Air Force, I request a 'friendly' simulated air combat demonstration with the Dragon Country J-8 Fighter Jet!"

At the air show, Jacques Leclerc, chief test pilot of Dassault Aviation of Gaul Rooster, suddenly issued a challenge via the air show broadcast.

The broadcast echoed over Le Bourget Airport, and the entire venue was in an uproar!

Because this was less of a "friendly simulated air combat demonstration" and more of a challenge from the Mirage 2000 to Dragon Country!

This was clearly a premeditated act by the Western Countries!

They intended to "prove" the overwhelming advantage of third-generation aircraft over second-generation aircraft through a practical demonstration, putting the Dragon Country Air Force at a disadvantage!

When the broadcast sounded, all the Western Countries at the entire air show looked towards Comrade Peng Lin and the location of the Dragon Country Aviation Industry Delegation, showing a playful expression.

It was clear that they had known about this matter for a long time, and were even full of anticipation.

On the other side, even the members of the Soviet Union Aviation Industry Delegation showed expressions of watching a good show.

If the Dragon Country Air Force didn't suffer a major loss at the hands of the Western Countries, how could their MiG-29 and Su-27 be sold to Dragon Country at a high price?

Third-generation aircraft against second-generation aircraft absolutely had an overwhelming advantage in actual combat!

After all, even if a second-generation aircraft had strong flight performance and maneuverability, it still relied on visual sighting and outdated radar for combat!

In contrast, third-generation aircraft had long possessed the ability to lock onto enemy aircraft from tens of kilometers away and conduct beyond-visual-range strikes!

"Dassault Aviation's Mirage 2000 of Gaul Rooster has challenged our J-8 Fighter Jet?"

"How about we change the approach? Let's directly challenge Gaul Rooster's Mirage 2000 with our J-10 Fighter Jet!"

Comrade Peng Lin looked at Lei Yi, Dragon Country's ace pilot, and said.