Galaxy Domination Guide

The Pakistan delegation's visit to Country C was warmly and thoughtfully welcomed. After spending several days in the Imperial Capital, the delegation flew to Shu Capital City on Country C's commercial aviation's new C929 large passenger aircraft.

Even though the technical content of the C929 wasn't truly remarkable, the aircraft's vertical take-off capability, near-silent flight, and faster cruising speed still left the members of the Pakistan delegation in awe.

Since the delegation had come to Country C to discuss air force equipment, the level of civilian airliners was naturally closely related to military aircraft. Understandably, they were filled with even greater anticipation for what they could attain.

The Pakistan Air Force had collaborated with the Southwest Bureau for many years, resulting in a close relationship. During this visit, the Pakistan Air Force prioritized inspecting the Southwest Aviation Manufacturing Bureau.

However, not to be outdone, the Shen Huoyi Manufacturing Bureau also came to Shu Capital, unabashedly stepping into the territory of their old rival for a piece of the business.

While the Southwest Bureau was not too pleased, their superiors were in favor of such healthy competition. Both aviation manufacturing companies had made significant efforts in technological upgrades and, with the help of engineers from Iridium Star, new production lines for manufacturing advanced weaponry for the military had already started.

Both were also very enthusiastic about expanding their business internationally.

Zhao Pu, the general manager of the Southwest Bureau, and Yao Changqing from the Shen Huoyi Bureau met for a discussion before the arrival of the Pakistan representatives. Although the two companies were competitors, in essence, they were both under one parent company, so some matters could be communicated and negotiated.

After exchanging pleasantries and engaging in small talk for a while, Zhao Pu said, "Transforming our operations has been quite difficult. All our designers, engineers, and even project supervisors have to go through retraining. There's already so much complex knowledge, and now all our key staff are stuck in the Deep Sleep System.

If it weren't for the halt of our original operations and the neuron production line maintaining itself automatically, along with the oversight of personnel dispatched from Iridium Star, our company would pretty much be shut down."

Yao Changqing agreed deeply and responded, "You're telling me. It's the same at our company. Our old production lines, once dependent on Iridium Star robots, have all been dismantled and are now piled up in the warehouse. Once the neuron production line was up and running, not even a supervisor was needed, leaving our people to foolishly stare at it day in and day out.

You're luckier though, having been assigned the production of the J-20 fighter jets. Chang'an Bureau is also doing fine, manufacturing bombers and transport planes to their limits. Our situation is more pitiful, left with just the odds and ends and producing the Killer Bee naval drones, which are not in high demand.

After this batch of orders is finished, we'll have to venture out and develop new markets ourselves."

Zhao Pu also felt some sympathy and asked, "Wasn't there talk about a comprehensive upgrade and overhaul of the J-15 to match the two aircraft carriers?"

Yao Changqing chuckled with a hint of helplessness, "Our company's people are still only scratching the surface with new technologies. The folks from Iridium Star just gave us the program, and we ran the J-15 through it. The artificial intelligence program came up with dozens of improvement options. It's not just about deciding on one; our people can't even understand them. It's quite embarrassing.

In the end, we went with the system's top choice. Still, we couldn't get involved. After the company made a decision, the neuron production line and those industrial robots just took over, and our people could only watch."

Zhao Pu lamented, "Who would have thought, we'd be obsolete so quickly."

Yao Changqing patted Zhao Pu's shoulder and said, "Let's not talk about this. The transition is going to be a challenge for a few years, but whether we'll thrive or barely survive during this time will depend on how we expand into overseas markets. Old Zhao, I hear you're planning to promote a heavily modified J-10 this time. Do us a favor at Shen Huoyi and give us a break, won't you?"

Zhao Pu shook his head smilingly, "That's a deal worth billions. You think we'd just give it up?"

But Yao Changqing was brimming with confidence, "It doesn't matter if you don't give in. We came prepared this time; otherwise, we wouldn't have dared to challenge you in Shu Capital."

"Oh, a challenge? You're quite daring, old Yao. It's just the FC-31 Gyrfalcon, right? You must be confident, mostly likely after feeding the original design through the AI design program again," Zhao Pu prodded.
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Caught in the act, Yao Changqing was not embarrassed and replied with a laugh, "If it saves trouble and effort, why not do it? We didn't rely entirely on the program though, our designers also drafted and adjusted plans."

"Still, the most complex parts were left to AI," Zhao Pu commented laughingly, well aware of the ins and outs because his Southwest Bureau had the same software, which they had been using a lot lately.

The substantial influx of Iridium Star Technology into their company had indeed been put to good use, bringing about revolutionary changes.

Zhao Pu said, "How do you know we aren't going to design a whole new aircraft this time?"

Yao Changqing was caught off guard, "Did they really authorize you to do that?"

"We're still going through the official export process, but the design is finished, and we even have a prototype. While it may not be on par with the J-20evo, it's definitely equipped like a top-tier fifth or even sixth generation fighter jet."

For Country C, the generational classification of fighter jets had become less meaningful. Given that the J-20evo surpassed the capabilities of current and even planned next-generation fighters in every measurable way, calling it a ninth or even higher generation wouldn't be out of place.

After joining Star Alliance and acquiring new technologies, Country C hoped to replace the United States and become the number one military supplier in the world. The sudden surge in manufacturing capacity made production cost-efficient.

The political leverage that came with military exports and the ability to exert control over other countries were additional benefits that Country C was eager to reap.

Of course, Country C's military would not allow anything too advanced to be exported. For example, complete optical stealth and full-spectrum electromagnetic stealth capabilities for air force equipment were strictly off-limits. However, technologies that were comparable to or slightly better than the F-22 were not something Country C minded selling to make a quick profit.

Whether it's fifth or sixth generation, in the face of the J-20evo—a fighter jet with bug-like dominance—anything else would simply be inadequate.

The Southwest Bureau had not yet received an export license for fifth-generation fighters, and their newly designed aircraft was still undergoing test flights. Shen Huoyi Bureau wasn't much further ahead; although their FC-31 was originally based on an existing model, after the redesign, it was unrecognizable.

Despite having export permission, the actual aircraft was still in the final stages of test flights. Of course, the test flight duration was much shorter compared to before the introduction of Iridium Star Technology.

Zhao Pu naturally wouldn't divulge everything to Yao Changqing—in fact, the new fifth-generation fighter wasn't even the Southwest Bureau's main highlight for the presentation. Instead, it was a more enticing "customer plan."

This tailored plan for Pakistan included offering a specially modified J-10C fighter jet and even transferring the production line. The production line, previously used to manufacture fighter jets for Country C's air force, was now redundant and selling it could turn a profit.

Core components such as radar and electronic systems would naturally be beyond Pakistan's manufacturing capabilities, so Country C's suppliers would produce and provide them for assembly.

The comprehensive package also included a complete upgrade of the FC-1 Xiaolong with an exaggeratedly powerful engine and better avionics, giving it near fifth-generation fighter capabilities.

Undoubtedly, these offerings were extremely attractive to Pakistan.