Chapter 126
Chapter 126
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Translator: Vine
Chapter: 126
Chapter Title: An Unavoidable Project
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*Thwack!*
I slammed the pen I was holding onto the desk.
It felt like a cruel twist of fate.
It was as if someone had deliberately twisted the situation to force me into that project.
Of course, that might be an overreaction, but considering my own regression was an inexplicable event, I couldn't just dismiss the thought entirely.
“So?”
CEO Kim looked taken aback by my lukewarm response.
But the K2 tank’s power pack development was a project I desperately wanted to avoid.
Frankly, if I had a way to perfectly solve the transmission issue right now, it would be a different story. But as things stood, I’d likely end up on the same development path as S&U, and there was no reason for me to willingly accept that outcome.
“What do you mean, ‘so’? It’s not like we don’t have a heavy industries division. Besides, this is a project worth hundreds of billions of won. Of course, we should participate.”
“That’s only if we have a chance of successfully developing the transmission.”
“Why wouldn’t we succeed? Aren’t we a company that has accomplished countless things even developed nations couldn't?”
I let out a silent, bitter laugh.
Anyone who didn't know the full story would naturally make that argument.
But everything we had achieved so far was entirely thanks to the data I possessed. The problem was that, unfortunately, no such data existed for the transmission.
*Tsk.*
Of course, it wasn't as if success was impossible if we started development now.
We already had metal processing capabilities that surpassed Germany’s in some areas.
But was it really possible to catch up to Germany's know-how and standards in this era, in just a few years, when they couldn't even succeed in 2025?
To match the outcome born from experience gained through war, over a century of development history, and a long process of trial and error?
“Let’s take some more time to think about that part.”
In the end, I postponed the decision to join the project.
Then, CEO Kim suddenly hit me with a hard truth.
“Ultimately, we'll have to develop the engine and transmission for the K9 ourselves anyway, won't we?”
“…”
“I’m not wrong, am I? As you know, Chairman, K9 exports are expanding worldwide. Its performance is already outstanding, and with recent improvements to its targeting system and full automation, the number of potential export countries will only grow. But you’re well aware that if the K9’s power pack isn’t localized, we might one day find ourselves unable to export it at all.”
For a moment, I was impressed by his foresight.
As someone who knew how international politics would shift, it was natural for me to be concerned about that. But for him to consider it at this point in time was no easy feat.
*Hmm.*
So why was I so reluctant?
Was it fear that I, too, could fail?
*Wait, what if I propose an electric propulsion system instead?*
The thought suddenly popped into my head out of frustration.
It was an issue I had always kept in mind, and solid-state batteries were bound to appear soon anyway.
*Tsk.*
But I had to abandon that thought just as quickly.
We didn't yet have the motor technology to produce a massive 1,500 horsepower, nor did we have the time to deal with the countless variables that would arise from implementing it in a tank.
My fantasy probably wouldn't become a reality for at least another five years.
*Five years… Well, we’re already developing high-output motors through Tesla, so it might actually be possible to build an electric propulsion system by then. In that case, we could consider an electric propulsion method for the K9 too.*
“What have you been thinking about so intently?”
CEO Kim’s sudden question broke my train of thought.
I looked up to see his gaze urging me for an answer.
After a brief pause, I spoke.
“It’s nothing. In any case, let’s think a little more about participating in the K2 power pack development. It’ll be a while before the developer is selected anyway.”
“…”
******
*Screech!*
The next day, I visited Jaewoo Defense to prepare for our participation in the K21 infantry fighting vehicle development project.
“It’s been a while since you’ve stopped by.”
The man in charge of Jaewoo Defense these days was CEO Kang Ho-yeon, a veteran who had cut his teeth at the company for over twenty years.
The mere fact that he had risen from an engineer to a Senior Managing Director was proof enough of his capabilities, so I hadn’t hesitated to appoint him CEO.
“CEO Kang, you seem to get younger with age.”
My relationship with him was a bit special.
Or, to be precise, it was Hyun-seung’s relationship.
As I recalled, CEO Kang Ho-yeon, along with Vice Chairman Yoon Sang-min, had been one of the only two people who had trusted Jin Hyun-seung when he was lost. Perhaps because of that, his attitude toward me was still gentler and more affable than that of the other CEOs.
“My goodness, I don’t know what to say to such a compliment. Anyway, I heard the news. The military is putting out a tender for a new infantry fighting vehicle to replace the K200.”
“Yes, that’s why I’m here. I came with the goal of creating something that far surpasses the military's ROC.”
“Surpasses the ROC?”
CEO Kang looked at me as if I’d said something completely out of the blue.
It was understandable. Typically, companies would try to lower the ROC standards to gain an advantage in the selection process.
In that context, my attitude—insisting on investing more capital and energy to build something exceeding the required performance—must have seemed anything but normal.
“Yes. That’s the only way it will be competitive in the global market.”
My goal wasn't just to target the domestic market.
The destiny of the K21 chassis was to be exported to various countries, including Australia.
To avoid the hassle of modifying it again during the export process, and to ensure it could participate in the upcoming US infantry fighting vehicle replacement project—the largest in history—without major alterations, I needed to lay the groundwork now.
In short, I was planning to build the K21 to the level of the Redback.
“The global market? Are you saying you’re thinking about exports for a vehicle our own military hasn’t even adopted yet? A vehicle that hasn’t even been built?”
“There’s no reason we can’t. That’s been my business style all along, after all.”
“…”
CEO Kang seemed to concede that last point.
How many weapons had we developed that were exported before our own military even adopted them?
He probably had no counterargument to that.
“Well, be that as it may, I’m not sure what specific areas you want to improve. To be honest, the military’s ROC I’ve obtained seems plenty competitive as it is, so I’m drawing a blank.”
It was true that the military's ROC was sufficient.
The requirements, which included a turret capable of firing 40mm APFSDS rounds and armor protection far exceeding previous standards, were high.
The problem, however, was that these standards were based on the present.
More accurately, they completely failed to account for the shifting paradigm of weaponry brought about by my influence on this era.
“It's sufficient by current standards. But by the time this vehicle is deployed in five or six years—heck, not even five or six, in just three years—the military will undoubtedly change the ROC. So, it's better for us to get ahead of the curve now rather than have our development completely re-evaluated then.”
“What do you mean by that? The ROC will be changed?”
CEO Kang immediately questioned my explanation.
I glanced around his office for a moment, then picked up one of the infantry fighting vehicle models sitting on his desk and continued.
“Let’s set everything else aside and take drones as an example. In a few months, the attack drones developed by Jaewoo will enter the weapons market. And they will spread like wildfire. In that case, do you think an infantry fighting vehicle built to the military’s current ROC standards could withstand an attack from those drones?”
“…”
At my words, CEO Kang quickly pulled a document from his desk.
From the text I could glimpse, it seemed he had also made a copy of the military's ROC items.
I immediately spoke again.
“I’ve already reviewed it, and there’s no concept of drone defense anywhere. In other words, if the project proceeds as is, my prediction is very likely to come true.”
“Then wouldn’t it be better to request that the military change the ROC now to include drone defense?”
“I already tried that before I got here.”
“…”
CEO Kang’s eyes lit up as he looked at me.
When I shrugged in a gesture of denial, he frowned and asked.
“They refused?”
“It revealed our military’s biggest problem. They refuse to acknowledge anything they can’t see or experience firsthand.”
“But they should have already felt the danger of drones through the incident in Iran, shouldn't they?”
“It was no use. An official from the Joint Chiefs of Staff actually asked me what the percentage was that we'd be hit by our own weapons.”
“Isn't he an idiot? It’s not like we’re the only ones who can make them… No, why aren't they considering the possibility that China or Japan could create something similar right away?”
“That's my point. But if we add a drone defense system now, the unit price would skyrocket... you know what I mean, right?”
CEO Kang let out a bitter laugh.
Having worked in the defense industry for so long, he too understood the military’s mentality.
After a long sigh, he asked me another question.
“So what’s your plan now? If the military is wary of a price increase, there’s no chance they’ll select a vehicle we developed with arbitrarily enhanced performance.”
“For now, I plan to proceed with development by meeting the military's requirements as much as possible. But only to an extent that allows for additional upgrades later without major difficulty.”
“So you’ll design it from the ground up with your vision in mind?”
“That would be more cost-effective in the long run than attempting a complete overhaul later. The only concern is that the military might insist on amphibious capabilities until the very end. We’ll have to discuss that part.”
“Well, that aside, how do you plan to handle the overall cost increase?”
“You don’t need to worry about some increase. We’ve already significantly lowered the cost of key raw materials for composite materials through our resource development project with Russia. We’ll be able to save a similar amount there.”
CEO Kang’s face showed a flash of understanding.
At that moment, I discreetly took out a memory stick, connected to the Jaewoo Defense server in front of him, and began uploading a file.
“What are you doing?”
“These are the chassis schematics for the new infantry fighting vehicle we’ll be developing. I’m uploading them to the server myself for security.”
“The schematics are already complete?”
“Don’t be surprised. It was a project I was planning for, so I had the research institute staff prepare them in advance.”
I said nonchalantly and started typing again.
It seemed that even when lying, doing it with confidence really did reduce suspicion.
A quick glance at CEO Kang showed he didn't seem inclined to question the facts.
“You’ll have to use this quantum crypto-generator every time you access it. The important thing to note is that you, CEO Kang, must personally oversee the process every time the data is uploaded again after work is finished.”
“I’m aware of that.”
He nodded and accepted the crypto-generator.
It was a unique security system that other companies didn't have.
It must have been a hassle for a CEO to have to pay attention to such things, but since it had been standard practice for several years now, he seemed to have accepted it.
“By the way, I heard from CEO Kim that you have a negative stance on participating in the indigenous development of the XK2 power pack.”
The issue I had been trying to push out of my mind was brought up again.
My brow furrowed involuntarily, and then CEO Kang tossed out an intriguing question.
“If it's because you lack confidence in developing it ourselves, may I make a suggestion?”
“…”