Chilling to the Bone

Since Old Wei had already made all the arrangements clearly and perfectly.

The representatives from the machinery military factories who were called upon naturally had to take the stage to introduce the specific proposals for the Second Generation Main Battle Tanks designed and developed by their factories.

There was no other way; after all, Old Wei had already set the rules and procedures.

So, the responsible persons from the named machinery military factories could only brace themselves and go on stage to introduce their factories' design and development proposals for the Second Generation Main Battle Tank in detail.

At this moment, everyone in the audience was listening attentively.

However, when Lin Chenran heard halfway through, he couldn't help but shake his head.

It was obvious that this so-called Second Generation Main Battle Tank was actually an upgraded and improved version of the Type 69 Tank, and its performance parameters could barely meet the basic requirements of the Yan Country military.

Compared to other advanced Second Generation Main Battle Tanks from foreign countries, the gap was not small at all.

Especially in terms of weaponry, they still planned to equip it with a 110mm smoothbore cannon.

It's worth noting that foreign countries had long since begun to widely use large-caliber 125mm smoothbore cannons.

And this 110mm smoothbore cannon was simply a "junior" compared to the 125mm smoothbore cannon.

Lin Chenran really had no mood to continue listening.

Because he felt it was completely meaningless.

What kind of combat effectiveness could a modified Type 69 Tank achieve?

If you were to extensively overhaul and modify the Type 69 Tank, Lin Chenran would find it acceptable, but this minor repair and modification, what was the point!

In that case, couldn't the Yan Country military just place an order to purchase the Type 69 Tank!

Why go through such a grand mobilization to hold a bidding conference for the Yan Country's Second Generation Main Battle Tank?

Actually, the purpose was very simple: to design and develop a Second Generation Main Battle Tank that was even more powerful than the Type 69 Tank.

It wasn't just Lin Chenran shaking his head and sighing.

Even many high-ranking officials from the Yan Country military had troubled expressions, appearing extremely awkward.

It was evident that the design and development proposal for the Second Generation Main Battle Tank being introduced on stage did not meet the needs of the Yan Country military.

Although it was indeed much stronger than the standards proposed by the Yan Country military, it was ultimately still an improved version of the Type 69 Tank.

If this were in the past, when every bit of military funding had to be stretched thin, perhaps the Yan Country military would have considered adopting this proposal.

However, times have changed. Now, the Type 59 Civilian Engineering Vehicle produced by the 077 Machinery Military Factory was selling exceptionally well in the domestic market, which made the Yan Country military, cooperating with them, much more financially comfortable.

And so, they had higher expectations and pursuits for the Second Generation Main Battle Tank.

Seeing the increasingly grim expressions of the military bigwigs, the responsible person from the machinery military factory who went on stage to introduce their Second Generation Main Battle Tank felt disheartened, as if he had fallen into an ice cellar.

It was freezing cold!!!

The military bigwigs were all grim-faced and dissatisfied with their machinery military factory's design and development proposal for the Second Generation Main Battle Tank.

Despite the turmoil in his heart, the person in charge of the presentation gritted his teeth and continued to speak, bracing himself.

When he finally finished his presentation, a sparse, encouraging round of applause echoed in the conference room.

The representative from the machinery military factory, hearing the "encouraging" applause, was filled with shame, his face turning bright red, looking extremely unsightly.

He never expected that the meticulously planned design and development proposal for their Second Generation Main Battle Tank had failed to meet the strict standards of the Yan Country military.

At this moment, he fell into deep thought, desperately pondering how to face the higher-ups of his machinery military factory.

After all, this opportunity was crucial for their machinery military factory.

They had originally hoped to "turn over a new leaf" with this, allowing their machinery military factory to secure an order from the Yan Country military and escape their current predicament.

But they never expected it to end in failure.

The Yan Country military's lack of optimism for their design and development proposal was undoubtedly a heavy blow to them.

Next, the second representative from the machinery military factory stepped forward to introduce their design and development proposal.

However, the result was obvious.

The Yan Country military was equally uninterested in this design and development proposal for the Second Generation Main Battle Tank.

This representative, who went on stage to present, walked off the podium dejectedly, like a rooster that had lost a fight.

Next, it was finally the turn of Su Yiming from the 625 Machinery Military Factory, the arch-rival of the 617 Machinery Military Factory, to take the stage and introduce their machinery military factory's design and development proposal for the Second Generation Main Battle Tank.

Su Yiming was a prominent figure in the tank field; at just over forty years old, he had already become the deputy chief engineer of the 625 Machinery Military Factory.

The design and development proposal for the 625 Machinery Military Factory's Second Generation Main Battle Tank was entirely conceived and planned by him.

What kind of astonishing design would this young and promising deputy chief engineer bring to everyone?

Everyone present held their breath, eagerly anticipating the design and development proposal for the 625 Machinery Military Factory's Second Generation Main Battle Tank.

The weaponry in the 625 Machinery Military Factory's design and development proposal for the Second Generation Main Battle Tank was actually a 120mm smoothbore cannon!

This news made the eyes of the military bigwigs present light up; they seemed to envision their own powerful Second Generation Main Battle Tanks.

The 625 Machinery Military Factory brought them an unexpected surprise.

Before this, the design and development proposals for the Second Generation Main Battle Tanks from other machinery military factories had all adopted either the most mature 110mm smoothbore cannon or the relatively mature 115mm smoothbore cannon.

However, the 625 Machinery Military Factory unhesitatingly chose the 120mm Smoothbore Cannon, which was still in its theoretical stage. This spirit of bold innovation amazed everyone.

Just then, a representative from a machinery military factory raised his hand, indicating he had something to say.

Old Wei noticed and nodded, signaling him to voice his opinion.

The representative slowly began to speak, "Engineer Su, although the 212 Machinery Military Factory has already initiated the project for the 120mm Smoothbore Cannon..."

"...due to a shortage of funds, this project is currently only on paper and has made no substantial progress."

His tone revealed a hint of worry and doubt.

"Whether it will be able to catch up to your 625 Machinery Military Factory's Second Generation Main Battle Tank by then remains an unknown."

This statement was like a bombshell, drawing the attention and heated discussion of everyone present.

"You actually intend to use the nebulous 120mm Smoothbore Cannon as the main weapon for the 625 Machinery Military Factory's Second Generation Main Battle Tank? This is clearly a deception of our military!"

These words, like a sharp sword, struck the core of the issue, causing the Yan Country military personnel to re-examine this seemingly perfect plan.

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