Chapter 112
Chapter 112
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Translator: Vine
Chapter: 112
Chapter Title: Strategic Moves
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Ring, ring!
The next day, the call I’d been waiting for came from the Israeli Minister of Defense.
-How have you been? I've been swamped, thanks to these Yankees who drop by whenever they please and make a nuisance of themselves.
His tone was as blunt as ever.
Having dealt with him before, I was less taken aback and more resigned to it.
-Right, about the delivery date for the HVPs…
We spent nearly an hour on the phone discussing various matters related to the Iron Dome delivery.
When we had finally exhausted all the details, I casually asked him a question.
[Minister, I was wondering, has the IBIS project that Israel was developing been completely scrapped?]
-IBIS? That was canceled back in 1999. There were budget issues, of course, but I also recall some technical hurdles. As you know, Chairman Jin, our military now operates the Heron instead of high-altitude surveillance aircraft. Honestly, with Iraq out of the picture, a Heron-class reconnaissance aircraft is more useful to us than a high-altitude one.
It was a shame, but it seemed the termination of IBIS was just the course of history.
Just as I was about to let the thought go, he offered a tantalizing piece of information.
-I don't know why you're asking, but if you're curious about IBIS, why not contact IAI? Even though the project was canceled, they should still have the relevant data on file.
He had a point.
IAI had been the prime contractor for IBIS.
Since the project’s cancellation wasn’t that long ago, there was a high chance they still had the files.
Besides, if my memory served me right, the Heron’s technology was based on the HA-10, the high-altitude unmanned aircraft that was the core of IBIS.
In other words, the related technology hadn't been completely abandoned.
[Forgive me for being so forward, but would it be possible for you to make an introduction for me, Minister?]
-…
He fell silent at my sudden request.
Just as I began to wonder what he was thinking, he spoke in a low voice.
-Seeing your interest, Chairman Jin, I take it you’re thinking of pursuing a high-altitude drone project with IAI.
[Yes, I'd like to gauge their interest, at least.]
-But I haven't heard anything about the South Korean government leading a UAV project. If that were the case, our defense companies, including IAI, would have jumped on it already. I haven't heard any such rumors.
[You're right. Our government has no plans for a UAV acquisition program at the moment. This is something Jaewoo intends to pursue independently.]
-…
He went silent again.
I suppose the idea of us, not one of America's giant defense corporations, undertaking a UAV project independently was shocking.
But Jaewoo’s financial power was now more than sufficient, and thanks to that, I had no intention of hesitating to spearhead development in any field with enough market potential.
-I've heard that Jaewoo has been climbing the ranks of the world's top defense contractors. It seems it wasn't just talk. Very well, I understand. I'll contact IAI for you soon.
With that positive answer, he ended the call.
As I hung up with a smile, a glimmer of hope in my mind, I noticed Vice President Kim, who was sitting on the sofa across from me, staring at me blankly.
“Why are you looking at me like that?”
“Are you really planning to develop a UAV on your own?”
“There’s no reason we can’t. It's not like it's a project that costs tens of billions of dollars. And even if it did, we now have the capacity to handle it.”
“…”
“Besides, the future market for unmanned aerial vehicles is limitless. It’s a field we must enter eventually, regardless of our own military’s needs.”
“…”
Vice President Kim still wore a dazed expression.
It was an understandable reaction from someone who didn't know the paradigm shifts awaiting the future weapons market.
I just smiled as he pushed a report in front of me.
“What’s this?”
“They said construction on the 3000-ton submarine will begin in earnest in a week.”
My gaze returned to the document.
It was an acceptance certificate for the high-tensile steel we had ordered for the construction.
Although I had ordered it myself, the price was truly staggering.
“Being HY-130 grade, the price is no joke.”
HY-130 was a high-tensile steel for submarines developed by the United States.
The funny thing was that the U.S. itself didn't use it because of the exorbitant cost.
In fact, for their Virginia-class submarines, they mainly used HY-80 grade, not even HY-100, which was quite ironic.
“I have to ask… you’re not planning on plating the entire hull with HY-130, are you?”
“Of course not. How could we possibly afford that? The high-tensile steel will be used for the frame.”
“That's a relief. For a moment, I was worried you were planning to take a loss.”
“To be honest, a part of me does want to plate the entire hull with it. As you know, Japan's Soryu-class submarines use their own proprietary NS110 steel for the frame, which is said to surpass HY-130.”
“I’m aware of that, but frankly, many of their steelmaking technology claims are so inflated that it’s hard to take them at face value.”
I was a bit ambivalent on that point myself.
While Japan's technology was excellent, the claim that their NS110 steel surpassed HY-130 didn't seem entirely credible.
“Still, we must do the best we can. By the way, what’s the maximum crush depth of the Soryu-class?”
“That's highly classified, so we don't know for sure. But if the high-tensile steel they used truly surpasses HY-130, it should be around 650 meters.”
“And our 3000-ton class is projected to be around 600 meters, correct?”
“That’s right, but honestly, I think the maximum crush depths will be fairly similar. In that case, the performance difference will be decided by other factors, and I actually believe our submarine has the edge.”
Vice President Kim said with confidence.
The reason, undoubtedly, was the battery we planned to adopt, which was unlike theirs.
Frankly, I shared his opinion on that.
A submarine equipped with a solid-state battery—with no risk of explosion, drastically reduced charging times, and up to a nine-fold increase in operational time—wouldn’t be far behind even a nuclear-powered submarine.
“But this solid-state battery… has development really been completed already?”
“For applications like cars and submarines, development is already complete.”
“Then why haven't you commercialized it yet?”
“Because the ion conductivity at room temperature is still too low for use in consumer electronics. That should be fully resolved by next year, though. In any case, for something like a submarine, we can apply a thermal management system to maximize its efficiency, so it's not really an issue.”
At my words, Vice President Kim’s face lit up with excitement.
He may have long since retired, but he couldn't shake his attachment to the military.
Seeing him like that, however, I found my own anticipation growing.
“My, look at the time.”
A glance at the clock showed it was already 2 PM.
I had a meeting in less than two hours with the former CEO of Daeyoo Truck, which had been renamed Jaewoo Commercial Vehicles.
“I’m heading over to Jaewoo Commercial Vehicles to discuss the new truck factory, just so you know.”
At my words, Vice President Kim quickly grabbed his suit jacket.
I looked at him, puzzled, and he gave me a meaningful smile.
“I actually have business at Jaewoo Commercial Vehicles as well.”
“Why would you be going there, Vice President?”
“The Blue House has commissioned Thales to build a new presidential vehicle, and I need to go over the details.”
“The Blue House commissioned Thales to build a presidential vehicle?”
“Yes, I received a call directly in my office yesterday.”
“If they wanted a custom vehicle, wouldn't it have made more sense to go to Hyunwoo?”
That was honestly surprising.
Custom presidential vehicles were typically modified versions of existing commercial models, weren’t they?
So why Thales…
“I was quite taken aback by the unexpected proposal myself, but the Blue House suggested applying the composite material used in the Polar Bear to the limousine produced by Ssangwoong Motors.”
“Ah…”
The thought that it was a rather brilliant idea flashed through my mind.
Ssangwoong Motors was already producing a luxury limousine based on a Mercedes.
If we applied the composite material from the Polar Bear to it, we could create an armored vehicle on a completely different level.
“Whoever came up with that is quite clever.”
“That’s what I was thinking. If we really apply the Polar Bear’s level of protection, wouldn't it be tantamount to an armored car?”
No, it would be even better than most armored vehicles.
It would have protection against 16mm or larger anti-materiel sniper rifles, not to mention mine-blast protection.
If we completed it, the leaders of quite a few nations might covet it.
In short, the promotional effect would be immense.
“Hmm…”
Afterward, as I rode the elevator down, I was lost in thought.
This was a case of leveraging the Polar Bear's strengths.
I shouldn't limit it to the low-demand field of armored cars. Couldn't it be applied to other areas?
For example, if we put the Polar Bear's powerful engine into a truck, we could create a vehicle that performed exceptionally even in the most adverse weather.
‘I should probably speed up the group’s restructuring.’
That was the first thing that came to mind.
With the current lack of a clear management structure, expanding Jaewoo Commercial Vehicles would be difficult.
But I was already planning a major personnel reshuffle anyway.
Thinking it might be for the best, I casually spoke to Vice President Kim.
“There will be a personnel reshuffle soon.”
“Ah, yes… What?”
Vice President Kim, who had been nodding absently, whipped his head around to look at me.
Just then, the elevator doors opened, and I quickly stepped inside, speaking again.
“Don't be surprised. This is something I've been considering for a while.”
“…”
“As you know, Vice President, we have over twenty affiliates in the group. Until now, we’ve appointed CEOs without much rhyme or reason, but it’s time to reorganize with professional managers at the helm. By the way, I’m planning to appoint you as the CEO of Thales, so please prepare for that.”
“…”
Vice President Kim Young-gi couldn’t speak, only managing a nod.
Well, the CEO position at Thales was effectively the fourth-highest rank in the group, so his reaction wasn't surprising.
But I couldn't think of anyone else better suited for the role.
“And for the Vice Chairman position, which has been vacant for some time, I'm thinking of appointing my uncle... no, CEO Yoon Sang-min of KAI. What are your thoughts?”
“CEO Yoon Sang-min is so highly respected within the group that no board members will oppose it. The only concern is…”
Vice President Kim Young-gi, who had been answering readily, trailed off.
I had a good idea of what he was worried about.
Ding!
Just as the elevator arrived on the first floor and the doors opened again, I spoke to him.
“My brother will also be given the title of Vice Chairman, so you don’t need to worry about that.”
“You’re appointing two Vice Chairmen?”
“Why not? Besides, Jaewoo is clearly divided between the defense and civilian sectors, so a dual system is all the more necessary.”
“Now that you mention it, that makes sense.”
Vice President Kim finally nodded in understanding.
He remained silent for the entire car ride, only speaking again as we neared our destination.
“I’m worried about KAI. CEO Yoon Sang-min is the reason it’s been run so smoothly until now.”
Honestly, I was worried about that too.
But I couldn't keep CEO Yoon Sang-min, who was getting on in years, in such a demanding position forever.
Just then, Vice President Kim Young-gi made an interesting suggestion.
“How about appointing NIS Director Ahn Si-hyun as the new CEO of KAI?”
“The NIS Director?”
“Yes, according to rumors, there’s going to be a major personnel change at the NIS soon. They say Director Ahn Si-hyun will be stepping down shortly.”
“…”