188: Shocking the world, Dragon Country’s first overseas air force base!

Project Name: J-16 "Qianlong" Twin-Engine Heavy Fighter Jet

Difficulty Assessment: S

Task Progress: 100%

Task Reward: 10000 Research Points

Remaining Research Points: 10000

After the successful maiden flight of the J-16 Fighter Jet, Peng Lin also received a project completion notification from the Military Industry Research Assistance System.

He did not hesitate and immediately used the newly acquired research points on the Y-20 Strategic Transport Aircraft project.

Successfully used 5500 Research Points, congratulations on achieving 20% task progress for the "Y-20 Strategic Transport Aircraft" project!

Acquired Heavy Transport Aircraft Large Cross Docking Technology, achieving heavy transport aircraft assembly with a precision requirement of 0.05 millimeters through digital methods and automated tools!

Achieved Composite Material Technology Breakthrough, solving the problem of tail fin curing deformation control through hot press tank molding and automatic fiber placement technology!

Acquired...

From this point on, the Y-20 faced no further technical challenges in research and production.

What was needed next was to accelerate the production of prototype aircraft and conduct comprehensive technical verification!

...Yanjing Aircraft Manufacturing Branch Factory, Final Assembly Plant.

After the 012 prototype completed its maiden flight test, ground crew began emergency modifications on the remaining 11 J-16 prototypes.

During the development of the J-16 "Qianlong" Fighter Jet, a total of 12 technical verification prototypes were produced for a series of technical verification subjects such as static tests, fatigue tests, flight performance tests, avionics system tests, and weapon system integration tests.

At this moment, in order to rapidly bring the J-16 Fighter Jet into service with the Dragon Country Air Force, Peng Lin had no choice but to order these prototypes to be modified into production models and dispatched to the Middle East to safeguard Dragon Country's interests.

"Replace all landing gear hydraulic valves on the fatigue test aircraft with combat models!"

"We must put together a flying squadron of 'Qianlong' fighter jets for the Air Force!"

Peng Lin walked through the Final Assembly Plant, speaking to the director of assembly.

The landing gear of prototype 04, which had endured nearly ten thousand simulated takeoffs and landings, was now being filled with new anti-corrosion hydraulic fluid.

Inside the cabin of prototype 03, originally used for structural testing, engineers were using laser alignment instruments to adjust the fire control radar base, and the un-faded strain gauge marks on the skin were being covered by tactical gray paint.

In another area of the Final Assembly Plant, six fighter jets that had completed electromagnetic compatibility tests were lined up, and technicians were using fiber optic burners to write combat parameters into the flight control computers.

At the same time, the head-up display of prototype 07, which had been used to simulate extreme environments, suddenly lit up, and the military frequency navigation grid of the Beidou Satellite Navigation System had seamlessly integrated with the fighter's data link.

"How much lifespan is left on the phased array radars of this batch of prototypes?"

Peng Lin came to the avionics modification area and asked.

Many components of these prototypes, used for testing, already had issues of excessive use, so before delivery, repeated verification and confirmation were essential.

"On average, about 80% of their lifespan remains, which is completely fine for actual combat."

"Moreover, the radar lock-on range of this batch of prototypes is 20 kilometers further than the production models!"

The avionics team leader patted the radar dome of the nearby prototype 09, assuring Peng Lin.

Because technical verification and prototypes do not need to consider mass manufacturing costs and related material issues, many key components even outperform production models.

Peng Lin nodded in satisfaction after hearing this answer.

Night fell.

The wing pylons of prototype 011, which had been used for live-fire tests, were loaded with actual PL-15 long-range air-to-air missiles.

A munitions soldier peeled off the "Test Use Only" label.

At the same time, the mechanic who modified it wiped away the "PT-011" prototype number on the vertical stabilizer of prototype 011, repainting it with the words "Dragon Country Air Force · Combat Ready Duty"!

...Meanwhile.

While countries around the Global were concerned about the situation in the Middle East, the Dragon Country Ministry of National Defense and the Elak Ministry of Defense jointly announced that they would hold a press conference in Yanjing on June 5th.

This move by Dragon Country and Iraq undoubtedly stirred the nerves of countless countries worldwide.

Even the Soviet Union and the USA, two world Superpowers, paid unprecedented attention.

The Middle East is now a powder keg, with the USA, the Soviet Union, and Dragon Country vying for influence and interests there.

Although Dragon Country's comprehensive national strength is not as great as the two Superpowers, and its foundation in the Middle East is relatively shallow, it has supported Iraq in fighting several very impressive tough battles!

Therefore, at this moment, no country in the Global can ignore Dragon Country's influence in the Middle East!

When the Dragon Country Ministry of National Defense and the Elak Ministry of Defense jointly announced this news, major international media outlets and well-known news agencies such as Reuters, AFP, Associated Press, and Kyodo News almost all stated that they would send reporters to attend the conference.

For a time, the international situation became even more obscure and unpredictable... June 5th.

At nine o'clock in the morning, the International Press Hall of the Dragon Country Ministry of National Defense.

Inside the press hall, the flags of Dragon Country and Iraq hung in the center, and a giant electronic screen cycled through footage of the two countries' Air Force joint training.

On the left side of the stage were representatives from the Dragon Country Military, and on the right was a military delegation led by the Deputy Minister of Defense of Iraq.

At ten past nine, Zheng Jun, the spokesperson for the Dragon Country Ministry of National Defense, dressed in a military uniform, stood on the podium on time.

At this moment, flashlights flickered in the Chinese and foreign press sections, and media cameras from BBC, Reuters, Al Jazeera, and other outlets focused on the rostrum.

Everyone knew that the upcoming statement from the Dragon Country Ministry of National Defense was very likely to change the direction of the Middle East situation and even affect Global energy security and oil prices.

So everyone held their breath.

And Zheng Jun, the spokesperson for the Dragon Country Ministry of National Defense, did not beat around the bush at all; he stood on the podium, saluted the crowd, and then took out a document and read it in a steady and powerful tone:

"To maintain regional peace and stability and ensure the security of international energy channels, after friendly consultations between Dragon Country and the Republic of Iraq, both sides have officially signed the 'Logistics Mutual Assistance Agreement'."

"According to the agreement, the Dragon Country Air Force will be granted permission to use the Umm Qasr Air Base on the Persian Gulf coast of Iraq to jointly address regional security challenges!"

As Zheng Jun, the spokesperson for the Ministry of National Defense, read the document, the electronic screen behind him switched to images of the agreement signing ceremony and a strategicSchematic diagram of the Umm Qasr Air Base.

"Recently, the situation in the Persian Gulf region has been turbulent, and international energy transportation channels face serious threats."

"As a responsible great power, Dragon Country has an obligation to work with regional countries to maintain the stability of the Global energy supply chain."

"This cooperation will significantly enhance regional air defense and escort capabilities, ensure the safe passage of merchant ships from all countries, and oppose any unilateral blockade actions!"

As he spoke, the screen switched to scenes of Persian Gulf shipping routes and oil tankers being obstructed.

"According to the agreement, Dragon Country will deploy a J-16 "Qianlong" Fighter Jet squadron to garrison the Umm Qasr base and share early warning data links with the Iraqi Air Force."

"Both sides will jointly conduct air defense exercises, logistical support, and personnel training to collectively enhance their capabilities in responding to non-traditional security threats."

"Finally, a solemn statement: Dragon Country always adheres to the spirit of the UN Charter, and this cooperation is not directed at any third party; it is purely defensive in nature."

"We urge relevant countries to cease actions that escalate regional tensions; any provocation against the Umm Qasr base will be considered a challenge to the common interests of both countries!"

"Now I will allocate ten minutes for your questions!"

After speaking, Zheng Jun, the spokesperson for the Ministry of National Defense, gave another standard military salute.

Below, international reporters instantly erupted, and flashlights flickered like a torrential downpour!

A BBC reporter's eyes widened as he repeatedly checked the content of his voice recorder, while a Reuters reporter quickly jotted down the details announced by spokesperson Zheng Jun.

"Is the Dragon Country Air Force going to intervene in the Middle East?"

"What is the J-16 "Qianlong" Fighter Jet?"

At this moment, all international reporters were somewhat shocked by the significant content announced by the spokesperson of the Dragon Country Ministry of National Defense at this press conference!

If Dragon Country fighter jets are stationed in the Persian Gulf, wouldn't the Dragon Country Air Force directly confront the USA' Sixth Fleet?

Is the Dragon Country Military insane!