348: Chapter 348 Abu Dhabi International Defence Exhibition

In February, Abu Dhabi’s desert sun poured down without reserve. Another year had passed in the blink of an eye; just after the Spring Festival, Xingchen Defense began to flex its muscles.

Under the massive glass dome of the Abu Dhabi National Exhibition Centre, the temperature was pleasant. Cool air flowed silently from the overhead vents, a sharp contrast to the forty-five-degree heat outside. But at this moment, none of the more than three thousand people gathered in front of the Xingchen Defense booth likely cared about the temperature.

The booth spanned three thousand square meters, making it the largest in the entire defense exhibition. The silver-gray floor reflected the glare of the overhead lights, and in the center stood five massive black cylinders covered in dark red silk, like five silent monuments.

A sea of people surrounded the booth.

Military representatives, arms dealers, intelligence personnel, and journalists from over eighty countries crowded the booth. The white robes of the Saudi delegation were particularly striking in the crowd; the Russian delegation, in dark suits, squeezed in on the left, while the American delegation stood on the right with solemn expressions. There were also military attachés in camouflage, arms brokers in formal suits, and press teams carrying cameras.

At exactly nine in the morning, the lights dimmed.

A spotlight hit the center of the stage.

Gu Xinghe stepped out.

The forty-eight-year-old CEO of Xingchen Defense wore a dark green military-style suit without rank insignia, but his back was straight as a javelin. His face was expressionless, and as his gaze swept over the audience, it was as cold as a Siberian winter.

"Everyone, Xingchen Defense was established three years ago, and today marks our first product launch in the Middle East."

His voice spread throughout the venue via simultaneous interpretation.

"These five pieces of equipment share a common name—the Rule Changers."

He walked to the first cylinder and placed his hand on the red silk.

"The first: the Xingtian Hypersonic Missile."

The red silk fell.

A silver-gray missile launcher vehicle was revealed—an eight-axle chassis with sixteen massive tires. Three launch tubes on the vehicle were tilted at a forty-five-degree angle, looking like a dormant beast ready to pounce on its prey.

The large screen lit up instantly, with parameters scrolling:

Xingtian Hypersonic Missile

Top Speed: Mach 16

Range: 3,000 km

Warhead: Conventional/Dual-capable (Nuclear and Conventional)

Guidance: Beidou + Inertial + Tianting Starlink Navigation

Penetration Capability: Near-space gliding, S-maneuvers; existing air defense systems are unable to intercept.

Export Price: $250 million per missile

Below the stage, the expressions of the Russian delegation changed.

They knew best what these numbers meant. The Russian-made "Avangard" hypersonic missile had a top speed of only Mach 8, a range of 2,000 km, and a price tag of $150 million. The Xingtian's speed was doubled, its range was a thousand kilometers longer, and the price was only sixty percent higher.

Gu Xinghe added:

"This missile has already been deployed in Saudi Arabia. In combat tests, it achieved a 100% penetration rate."

The camera turned to the Saudi delegation. Prince Fahd sat in the front row, smiling and nodding.

The second one.

Gu Xinghe walked to the second cylinder and pulled back the red silk.

A sci-fi-looking black fighter jet rotated slowly.

Xuanniao Intelligent Attack Aircraft

Unmanned/Manned Dual Mode: Can be remotely controlled or piloted.

Combat Radius: 3,500 km

Payload: 8 tons (Internal weapon bay)

Stealth Performance: RCS 0.001 m²

AI-Assisted Decision Making: Can autonomously plan routes and identify targets.

Export Price: $300 million per aircraft

Someone in the American delegation instinctively took a step forward.

An RCS of 0.001 m² meant the radar cross-section was only one-fifth that of the F-35. A combat radius of 3,500 km was 1,400 km more than the F-35. A payload of 8 tons was 2 tons more than the F-35.

Most critical was the price—only $50 million more expensive than the F-35, but a tier above in performance.

Gu Xinghe said:

"The Xuanniao's AI system can autonomously complete the entire process of reconnaissance, strike, and return without ground control. The pilot only needs to issue mission commands."

The third one.

Jinwu Laser Air Defense System

Power: 100 kW

Interception Range: 10 km (Drones), 5 km (Missiles)

Interception Cost: Approx. $100 per shot

Targets: Drones, cruise missiles, rockets, mortar shells

Export Price: $80 million per system

Below the stage, someone began calculating on their phone.

One hundred dollars per shot; a thousand shots would only cost one hundred thousand dollars. Meanwhile, an anti-aircraft missile easily cost millions. This meant that shooting down ten thousand targets with the Jinwu would cost the same as a single missile.

The eyes of the Middle Eastern representatives lit up.

The fourth one.

Quantum Radar

Detection Range: 500 km

Detectable Targets: Stealth aircraft, stealth missiles, stealth vessels

Anti-interference Capability: Based on the principle of quantum entanglement, it cannot be deceived by electronic warfare.

Export Price: $120 million per system

The eyes of the Russian delegation lit up.

What they needed most was a radar capable of detecting the F-35. America's stealth fighters were their greatest nightmare.

The fifth one.

Gu Xinghe stopped in front of the final cylinder.

Instead of pulling back the red silk, he signaled for the large screen to light up.

An animation demo began playing on the screen.

A rocket launched from the ground, entered orbit, and released a seemingly ordinary satellite. This satellite moved in orbit, slowly approaching another satellite. When it got within ten meters, it extended a mechanical arm, gently grabbed the target, and then an electromagnetic pulse flashed.

Tianfa Co-orbital Anti-Satellite Weapon

Deployment: Launched into orbit by rocket, disguised as an ordinary satellite.

Combat Method: After approaching the target satellite, it releases a mechanical arm or an electromagnetic pulse.

Can Disable: GPS satellites, communication satellites, reconnaissance satellites.

Export Price: $500 million per unit (including launch services)

Gu Xinghe said:

"This weapon is not for export. It is used solely to maintain regional strategic balance."

The entire venue fell silent.

Everyone understood the implication—Xingchen had the capability to take out satellites, but they wouldn't sell it to anyone.

As soon as the press conference ended, Prince Fahd rushed onto the stage.

He grabbed Gu Xinghe's hand, his voice urgent:

"CEO Gu, all five models, I want them all. Name your price."

Gu Xinghe smiled:

"Your Highness, no rush. Let's eat first."

2:00 PM, Emirates Palace Abu Dhabi.

This hotel, dubbed "eight-star," was one of the most luxurious in the world. In the magnificent lobby, fountain jets refracted rainbow-colored light under the lamps, and the air was filled with the faint scent of sandalwood.

Fahd's private reception room was on the top floor of the hotel, with floor-to-ceiling windows overlooking the entire Abu Dhabi skyline. The waters of the Persian Gulf shimmered in the sunlight, and the Burj Al Arab in the distance looked like a white sail.

Inside, solid gold faucets glittered on the washbasins, diamond-encrusted chandeliers hung from the ceiling, and oil paintings of Arabian stallions hung on the walls, their eyes inlaid with lifelike gemstones.

Fahd sat in the main seat, with Gu Xinghe opposite him.

An assistant handed over a handwritten list and placed it on the coffee table between them.

Saudi Royal Procurement List

Xingtian Missiles: 50 units × $250 million = $12.5 billion

Xuanniao Fighters: 60 units × $300 million = $18 billion

Jinwu Lasers: 50 systems × $80 million = $4 billion

Quantum Radars: 30 systems × $120 million = $3.6 billion

Supporting Ammunition, Spare Parts, Training: Approx. $11.9 billion

Total: $50 billion

Fahd looked at Gu Xinghe, his eyes showing not a hint of a joke:

"CEO Gu, fifty billion, paid in full. There is only one condition—build production lines in Saudi Arabia."

Gu Xinghe was silent for three seconds.

Then he slowly shook his head:

"Your Highness, these are the latest weapons. Xingchen's policy is not to build overseas production lines."

Fahd's brow furrowed. "Why? Saudi Arabia is the most reliable ally. We've cooperated with Xingchen for so long, from the Peregrine Falcon to the Venus, when has there ever been a problem?"

Gu Xinghe explained, "It's not a lack of trust in Saudi Arabia. It's about preventing technology proliferation. Once a production line is established, core technology could leak. Workers, engineers, managers—everyone could be bribed, coerced, or infiltrated. This isn't just a Saudi problem; it's a problem all countries face."

He paused. "Xingchen's bottom line is that all core weapons must be produced within China. Finished products can be sold, but the technology cannot leave."

Fahd fell silent.

He looked out the window at a cargo ship slowly passing by on the Persian Gulf.

After a long while, he gave a bitter smile. "Su Chen is as cautious as ever. Fine, finished products it is. But delivery must be fast."

Gu Xinghe nodded. "The first batch of Xingtian missiles will be delivered within six months. The others will be scheduled in order."

Fahd extended his hand. "Deal."

The two hands shook.

9:00 AM the next day, Washington.

The Pentagon's press briefing room was packed with media reporters from around the world. All three hundred seats were taken, and dozens more stood in the aisles. The red lights of the cameras flashed incessantly, and the atmosphere was as tense as the sweltering heat before a storm.

Deputy Secretary of Defense John Rood stood at the podium, holding a report.

The sixty-year-old Rood had gray hair and deep wrinkles etched on his face. He had worked at The Pentagon for forty years, rising from a junior analyst to Deputy Secretary, and had seen countless crises. But at this moment, his hands were trembling slightly.

On the cover of the report, several large words were printed: "Technical Assessment of Xingchen Technology's New Weapon Systems."

Rood opened the report and cleared his throat. "After a comprehensive assessment, The Pentagon admits that in the following five key areas, the United States has fallen behind."

A commotion began in the audience.

Rood read, "First, hypersonic missiles. Xingchen's Xingtian, with a speed of Mach 16; the American AGM-183A, with a speed of Mach 8."

"Second, stealth unmanned combat aircraft. Xingchen's Xuanniao, with a combat radius of 3,500 kilometers; the American X-47B, with a combat radius of 2,100 kilometers."

"Third, laser air defense systems. Xingchen's Jinwu, with a power of 100 kilowatts; the American HELSI, with a power of 60 kilowatts."

"Fourth, Quantum Radar. Xingchen's detection range is 500 kilometers; the detection range of similar American products is 200 kilometers."

"Fifth, anti-satellite weapons. Xingchen's Tianfa is already combat-deployed; similar American weapons are still in the experimental stage."

He closed the report and looked up.

Below the stage, reporters were scribbling frantically.

A CNN reporter raised their hand. "Deputy Secretary Rood, does this mean the end of American military superiority?"

Rood was silent for three seconds.

Then he said, "We are taking all necessary measures."

At the same time, Joint Base Andrews.

A VC-25—the backup for Air Force One—was taxiing on the runway.

In the cabin, Secretary of Defense Mark Esper sat by the window, watching the Washington Monument grow smaller outside.

An assistant sat opposite him and asked cautiously,

"Mr. Secretary, what are we discussing this time?"

Esper didn't look back. He watched the clouds gathering outside, like some ominous omen.

"To discuss peace."

He muttered.

The next morning, in Beijing. In a building not open to the public, there was a simple conference room.

On one side of the long table sat Esper and his entourage.

On the other side was the Chinese Secretary of Defense Wei Fenghe.

There were no pleasantries, no formalities.

Esper got straight to the point:

"Secretary Wei, Xingchen's five weapon models seriously threaten regional stability. The United States requests... a restriction on exports."

Wei Fenghe smiled.

The smile was faint but meaningful. "Mr. Esper, Xingchen is a commercial company. The government does not interfere with the normal operations of an enterprise."

Esper grew anxious and leaned forward. "This is a matter of national security!"

Wei Fenghe's smile vanished, and his gaze sharpened. "When the United States sold F-35s to the Middle East, did you consider regional stability? When the United States deployed THAAD in South Korea, did you consider regional stability?"

Esper opened his mouth but couldn't find the words.

Wei Fenghe continued, "Xingchen's weapons are only sold to sovereign nations, not to terrorist organizations. They have their own vetting standards. The government will not interfere."

Esper was silent.

After a long while, he said, "If Xingchen continues to proliferate these weapons, the United States will be forced to take corresponding measures."

Wei Fenghe looked at him, his expression calm. "That is your choice. But please remember—Xingchen's weapons are already deployed in Saudi Arabia. Their Peregrine Falcons shot down your global hawk. Their Xingtian—you cannot intercept it."

The conference room fell into a dead silence.

That same afternoon, in Su Chen's office at Xingchen Headquarters.

Gu Xinghe's call came in. "President Su, the fifty-billion-dollar Saudi order has been signed. The U.S. Secretary of Defense hit a brick wall during his visit to China."

Su Chen leaned back in his executive chair, leisurely.

He looked out at the view of Shenzhen Bay and smiled. "Let them hit a wall. They'll get used to it."

He paused and added, "By the way, tell Fahd that the fifty-billion-dollar order gets priority. But the Tianfa is not for sale; that's our trump card."

On the other end, Gu Xinghe laughed. "He knows. He's already accepted it."

Su Chen hung up and looked out the window.

In the distance, a plane was landing, trailing a long contrail.

He wondered if the person on board was the next person coming to beg for cooperation, or a customer coming to place an order.