97: Most importantly, the price

But he still spread his hands helplessly.

"General, I understand your feelings. But... I truly cannot make decisions regarding this matter."

"The procurement of this batch of F-15s was personally handled by Mr. President from start to finish; we don't even know the channel. I was only responsible for assisting."

"Then please, you must introduce me to President Saddam!" Zhao Chengshun grabbed onto this lifeline. "I must make my request to him face-to-face!"

Ramadan brought Zhao Chengshun to see Saddam again.

After hearing Zhao Chengshun's purpose, the strongman of Iraq leaned back in his chair, tapping his finger lightly on the desk, his face devoid of expression.

"General, I appreciate your honesty."

Saddam's tone was flat.

"But forgive me for being frank, the price of the f-15 "eagle" fighter jet is extremely high. Given your country's current economic situation... I'm afraid it would be difficult to afford."

What he was thinking was: You need installment plans just to buy 'Mirage' fighters, and now you want the even more expensive f-15 "eagle" fighter jet? You must be dreaming.

However, Saddam did not shut the door completely.

Although Huaguo is poor, their weapons are cheap and effective.

For Iraq, which is constantly at war, they are an indispensable partner.

Offending them would bring no benefit.

After a moment of contemplation, Saddam made a decision.

"I cannot tell you who the seller is; those are the rules."

"However, I can give you a contact method."

He took a business card from his drawer and handed it over.

"This person is named Jameson, he is the head of David Company in the Middle East region. Your 'Mirage' fighter jets were also purchased through him."

"As for who is behind him, and whether they can sell you f-15 "eagle" fighter jets, that will depend on your own capabilities."

Zhao Chengshun took the business card with both hands, treating it like a priceless treasure.

Jameson!

He firmly memorized this name.

He knew that this was not just a name.

It was the hope for the Huaguo Air Force to break free from the technological blockade and genuinely possess world-class combat power!

No matter what, he had to seize this connection!

Inside the luxurious hotel suite, the telephone suddenly rang, shattering the tranquility of the room.

David, who was currently handling documents, casually picked up the phone.

"Boss, it's me, Jameson."

"Speak."

David's voice was brief and strong. He didn't even look up, his gaze remaining fixed on the report in his hand.

Jameson's tone on the other end of the line carried a mix of excitement and solemnity.

"Boss, the Huaguo people have come knocking."

"They obtained my contact information through the President of Iraq."

"Their goal is clear... they want to buy f-15 'eagle' fighter jets, and they started by asking for fifteen!"

David's pen paused on the paper.

He looked up, leaned back in his wide executive chair, and a playful smile curved his lips.

These Rabbits certainly have a huge appetite.

"Can they afford it?"

David asked indifferently.

"They haven't even finished paying for the Mirage fighters, have they? And they want to buy the more expensive f-15 "eagle" fighter jet? Where would they get the foreign currency?"

Jameson gave a wry laugh over the phone.

"I estimate they came with the determination to sell everything they own. General Zhao's emotions were very agitated."

"He said it was to defend their nation, counter the hegemon to the south, and that they urgently need a plane capable of contending with the Su-27."

"Oh?"

David became a little interested.

Of course, he knew the predicament Huaguo was currently facing.

The Monkeys to the south, relying on the backing of the Polar Bear, had equipped themselves with a large number of Su-27s and were flexing their military might over the border.

Meanwhile, the main force of the Huaguo Air Force was still the outdated J-7s and J-8s, which were completely outclassed by the third-generation Su-27.

The pilots could only rely on their passion and courage to bridge the generational gap; every takeoff was virtually a suicide mission.

Sell them f-15 "eagle" fighter jets?

It wasn't entirely out of the question.

In the system warehouse, there were finished products and production lines for the initial F-15A/B models, and the price was also low.

But David reconsidered and felt it wasn't necessary.

Although the performance of the F-15A was good, its avionics system was considered somewhat outdated now.

Moreover, for the current Huaguo, the procurement and maintenance costs of the f-15 "eagle" fighter jet were too high; it would be a money pit.

Their meager foreign currency reserves would be exhausted after buying just a few planes. What about subsequent maintenance, upkeep, and spare parts?

Did they expect him to run a charity?

More importantly, David had a much more cost-effective option than the F-15A.

"Jameson."

David spoke.

"Tell them that the f-15 "eagle" fighter jet is not for sale right now."

"What?"

Jameson was stunned.

Not taking the fat meat that came right to his mouth? That didn't sound like the boss's style.

"Boss, this is a huge order..."

"Hear me out."

David interrupted him.

"I won't sell the f-15 "eagle" fighter jet, but I can sell them something better."

He stood up and walked to the other side of the office, where a huge three-view drawing of an aircraft was hanging.

It was a single-engine, single-vertical stabilizer, light fighter jet with bilateral DSI intakes. Its lines were smooth, full of modern industrial aesthetics.

JF-17 Thunder Block 3!

"Introduce this aircraft to them as the 'JF-17 Thunder Block 3'."

David's finger lightly brushed the drawing.

"Tell them that this aircraft's avionics system and Active Electronically Scanned Array radar..."

"...are comprehensively superior to the initial f-15 'eagle' fighter jet, and its maneuverability is completely comparable. It is specifically designed to deal with third-generation heavy fighters like the Su-27."

"Most importantly, the price."

David's lips curled up slightly.

"The unit price is fifteen million US dollars."

"What?!"

This time, it was Jameson's turn to be utterly shocked.

Fifteen million US dollars?

This price... it's practically being given away for free!

It's less than half the price of the f-15 "eagle" fighter jet!

If those performance parameters are real, then the f-15 "eagle" fighter jet is nothing compared to it!

David certainly wouldn't tell Jameson that the system cost price of this JF-17 Thunder Block 3 was only 1.5 million US dollars.

Selling it for fifteen million, he was already making a profit of ten times the cost.

But this small profit was nothing in David's commercial empire.

What he truly cared about was something else.

His Global Satellite Navigation System plan was already on the agenda.

To send dozens of satellites into space, he needed a large number of reliable and inexpensive launch vehicles.

Looking across the world, only Huaguo could meet this condition.

Selling them a high-quality, low-cost fighter jet now to solve their urgent needs was a chess piece placed in advance.

This was a long-term investment for greater benefit.

"I will fax you the photos and parameter data for the JF-17 Thunder Block 3."

"Go meet with General Zhao and give him the materials."

"He is a smart man; he will know how to choose."

David hung up the phone, his eyes deep and profound.

Riyadh, inside another hotel.

Zhao Chengshun paced back and forth in the room, his palms slick with sweat.

Since getting Jameson's contact information, he had been virtually sleepless, sending out a meeting request immediately.

Now, he felt like a prisoner awaiting judgment, both expectant and anxious.

The doorbell rang.

Zhao Chengshun lunged forward and yanked the door open.

Standing at the door was a blond, blue-eyed white man in a well-fitting suit, wearing a professional smile.

It was Jameson.

"General Zhao, hello, I am Jameson."

"Mr. Jameson! Please, come in quickly!"

Zhao Chengshun pulled him inside, too excited to speak coherently.

"The f-15 "eagle" fighter jet... the matter of the f-15 "eagle" fighter jet, you..."

"General, please don't rush."

Jameson calmly placed a folder on the table and said with a smile.

"Regarding your request for the f-15 "eagle" fighter jet, my boss has received it."

"However, he believes your country might have a better option than the f-15 "eagle" fighter jet."

"A better option?"