63: Prince Khalid: Speed ​​up technology!

A range of 80 kilometers!

Rocket-gliding extended-range projectile!

Upon hearing this data, the members of the Shatt Royal Family delegation were all stunned!

These princes and royals, dispatched by the King of Shato to visit Dragon Country, were clearly well-versed in military matters.

Especially Defense Minister Prince Khalid, who was even more familiar with the advanced weapon system data of various countries.

If his memory served him correctly, he recalled that the Soviet Union's most advanced "Hurricane" 220mm rocket launcher only had a range of 35 kilometers.

Even the USA' most advanced M270 "HIMARS" rocket launcher system only had a range of 32 kilometers.

But what about Dragon Country?

A single howitzer could have a range of 80 kilometers!

Could this howitzer's shell actually have a longer range than a rocket launcher's?

If so, how would other countries' rocket launchers compete?

In the current Global arms race, both the USA and the Soviet Union position rocket launchers as "power-type" weapons.

Rocket launchers can fire a large number of rockets instantaneously through multiple launch tubes, creating widespread suppressive fire.

They prioritize instantaneous firepower density.

Their drawback is a lack of guidance systems, leading to poor accuracy.

Howitzers, by imparting a stable trajectory to their shells through the barrel, achieve higher precision.

They are primarily used for precise strikes against point targets such as enemy bunkers, strongpoints, and command nodes.

They are considered "skill-type" weapons.

Therefore, generally speaking, rocket launchers, categorized as "power-type," typically have a significantly longer range than "skill-type" howitzers.

But now, the Dragon Country's 155mm Howitzer's range directly surpasses that of rocket launchers, which prioritize "firepower density."

In other words, the Dragon Country's 155mm Howitzer can precisely cover and strike enemy rocket launcher positions from beyond the range of enemy rocket launchers!

Would "power-type" rocket launchers, which aim for widespread suppressive fire, still have room to exert their power?

Prince Khalid's eyes were filled with shock; he immediately grasped the tactical value of this new type of 155mm Howitzer and rocket-gliding extended-range projectile!

This would be a new weapon system that would completely overturn and change the rules of the battlefield!

At the same time, with a loud "boom," a blazing tongue of fire erupted from the muzzle!

The 155mm Howitzer recoiled violently, and the armored vehicle carrying the gun shook and churned the earth!

The rocket-gliding extended-range projectile shot through the air, its tail flame igniting instantly.

The booster rocket spewed dazzling blue-white flames, drawing a sharp arc at low altitude.

The shockwave from the initial velocity stirred up a cloud of dust around the gun position, causing everyone to instinctively shield their foreheads and step back.

The projectile continuously accelerated with a whistling sound until the rocket boost phase was completely burned out, its tailfins deployed, and it transitioned to a gliding posture, soaring towards its target 80 kilometers away, leaving only a gradually dissipating smoke trail in the sky!

"Direct hit on target!"

About a minute later, the report from the firing range came through the shortwave radio, mixed with static.

At this moment, Prince Khalid could no longer suppress his excitement.

"We in Shat Country want to purchase 500 155mm self-propelled howitzers and 500 155mm Howitzer truck-mounted guns!"

"All the shells must be specially made rocket-gliding extended-range projectiles with a range of 80 kilometers!"

Prince Khalid looked at Peng Lin and Marshal Xu Yong'an, expressing his thoughts.

Although 80-kilometer range howitzers could not reach the capitals of Iraq and Israel.

However, 1,000 155mm Howitzers with an 80-kilometer range would absolutely provide a huge deterrent to these two countries.

This range was already sufficient to cover many border cities, important facilities, and military bases of these two countries.

Prince Khalid's one-time purchase of 1,000 howitzers clearly indicated that he intended to use the 80-kilometer range shells as rocket artillery.

If any country dared to make any moves against Shat Country, they would not hesitate to launch a "thousand-gun volley"!

They would precisely destroy and cover all enemy border cities and important military bases with firepower!

And in Prince Khalid's eyes, this type of weapon system, capable of long-range firepower coverage, was absolutely perfect for the Saudi Arabian army.

Because their army was simply not suited for charging into battle.

In 1973, during the Fourth Middle East War.

The Shatt Royal Family had dispatched thousands of soldiers and a large number of American tanks to participate in the war.

However, once this unit entered the battlefield and came under enemy fire, immediate command confusion and widespread desertion occurred.

But now, Dragon Country's new 155mm Howitzer, with a range even greater than rocket launchers.

Only they would be able to cover the enemy with firepower; the enemy would simply be unable to strike them.

For Saudi Arabian troops, it was simply ideal.

Peng Lin looked at Prince Khalid, whose eyes were full of sincerity, and couldn't help but be taken aback.

He never imagined that the other party would ask for 1,000 vehicles without even inquiring about the price!

"Your Royal Highness, due to the extensive use of advanced technology, the 155mm Howitzer itself is relatively expensive to produce."

"If it's the 155mm self-propelled howitzer and the 155mm Howitzer truck-mounted gun, the price will likely be even higher!"

Peng Lin reminded him.

Currently, the most advanced Soviet Union "Pion" heavy self-propelled artillery costs approximately 1.33 million US dollars.

The armored vehicle version of the 155mm self-propelled howitzer is slightly more expensive, at around 1.5 million US dollars.

Due to the technology being absolutely world-leading, the profit margin must be at least 100% or more.

That is, the selling price could reach 3 million US dollars per vehicle.

While the 155mm Howitzer truck-mounted gun does not have tracks or protective armor, it does possess systems like automatic loading.

Its selling price must also be at least 2 million US dollars per vehicle.

Previously, Dragon Country's military weapons exports to the international market relied on low prices to gain market share.

But now, Dragon Country's technology is absolutely leading, and customers are constantly flowing in, so there's no need to follow that path anymore.

Military weapons and equipment are sold for security; as the saying goes, security is priceless, as long as the technology is absolutely world-leading, no matter how expensive the price, buyers will still come in a steady stream!

"Chief Designer Peng, ordinary artillery may have many drawbacks, but the only drawback of this new 155mm Howitzer is its high price!"

"The high price is not a drawback of such an excellent howitzer, but rather a drawback of its buyer!"

"This is a deterrent weapon that can bring peace to our country!"

"No matter what, we hope that Dragon Country can sell 1,000 of these new howitzers to the Shatt Royal Family!"

Prince Khalid looked at Peng Lin and said with firm eyes.

And Peng Lin, upon hearing this, couldn't help but secretly give a thumbs up for his words.

Who said that those Middle Eastern royals are just rich spendthrifts?

They truly understand technology and recognize quality!

It's just that usually they're too lazy to choose, directly eliminating the cheaper options and only selecting from the more expensive goods!

"The new 155mm Howitzer comes in three versions, depending on the carrier vehicle."

"The towed version sells for 1 million US dollars, the truck-mounted gun sells for 2 million US dollars, and the armored self-propelled artillery version sells for 3 million US dollars."

Peng Lin explained.

"This price is absolutely worth it."

"I still choose 500 units each of the truck-mounted gun and armored self-propelled artillery versions, as I said before!"

Prince Khalid said.

And this price was much lower than he had imagined.

Because the Shatt Royal Family generally could only purchase weapons from Western Countries at inflated prices.

Moreover, the weapons obtained at inflated prices were still relatively outdated.

Due to Israel's influence on Western Countries, they simply couldn't purchase advanced weapon systems.

So, let alone 3 million US dollars per vehicle, even if the price were higher, the Shatt Royal Family would still have to acquire such a deterrent weapon.

Without mentioning anything else, just regularly pulling these 1,000 new 155mm Howitzers with an 80-kilometer range to the border and firing a volley.

This alone could instantly dispel any sinister intentions from neighboring countries!

And what Shat Country was buying was precisely this sense of security!

After all, as the world's largest oil exporter, a country that accounts for a quarter of the world's oil exports, too many countries had designs on them!

"Additionally, the Shatt Royal Family is willing to prepay 50% of the cost to accelerate the construction of the production line for this new howitzer!"

"We hope to equip our forces with a portion of these new howitzers this year!"

Prince Khalid added.

As for the towed version of the 155mm Howitzer, the Shatt Royal Family didn't even glance at it.

After all, this type of howitzer simply didn't have an automatic loading system.

If their soldiers had to carry and load the shells, there was no telling what kind of chaos might ensue.

Therefore, the Shatt Royal Family only considered new howitzers with automatic loading systems!

And Marshal Xu Yong'an, upon hearing Prince Khalid offer a 50% down payment and claim to want to accelerate the technology.

He understood that the royal family truly valued this new howitzer.

After all, according to international practice, down payments for military trade orders are usually between 10% and 30%.

Even 30% is considered a lot.

And the other party offering a 50% down payment clearly indicated that they were afraid Dragon Country wouldn't sell!

500 self-propelled artillery versions and 500 truck-mounted guns, this order combined was directly worth 2.5 billion US dollars!

If the previous 500 million US dollars were added, the total order brought by the Shatt Royal Family's visit to Dragon Country this time would directly reach 3 billion US dollars!

Moreover, this was just the beginning.

Having purchased so many Dragon Country artillery pieces, the Shatt Royal Family would undoubtedly need to purchase large quantities of specially made rocket-gliding extended-range projectiles from Dragon Country in the future.

Such a massive military procurement order directly stunned the Dragon Country personnel!

At this moment, both Dragon Country and the Shatt Royal Family delegation looked at each other with extremely shocked expressions!

The members of the Shatt Royal Family were shocked by the incredibly impressive new technologies of Dragon Country!

This was even more shocking to them than the new weapon systems from the USA!

And the Dragon Country personnel were shocked by the wealth of the Shatt Royal Family!

3 billion US dollars was equivalent to one-fifth of Dragon Country's current military budget!

But the other party didn't even bat an eye, and there was no bargaining, it just went through like that?

However, Peng Lin was clearly not among those on both sides who were mutually shocked.

Because he knew that Prince Khalid's authority and the strength of the Shatt Royal Family were far more than this.

Moreover, next, the Changhe Weapons Manufacturing Branch Factory still had an even more advanced Guardian Rocket Launcher to test!