Chapter 26
Chapter 26
-----------------------------------------------------------------
Translator: Vine
Chapter: 26
Chapter Title: The Ripple Effect
-----------------------------------------------------------------
[Jaewoo Thales has made history once again...]
Fifteen days later, news of the contract between Jaewoo Thales and the U.S. Department of Defense hit the airwaves, starting with TBS.
Most media outlets were buzzing about the export value, a staggering 1.5 billion dollars. But the truly crucial point was that all future weapons developed by Jaewoo Thales could be mounted on the F-16s that the U.S. had sold worldwide.
The only one to highlight this was reporter Han Ji-yeon, and that was because I had given her the exclusive source.
-Thank you, Department Head. Thanks to you, I was able to write a more in-depth article than anyone else.
The effect of actively supporting Han Ji-yeon was beyond my expectations.
Her exceptionally favorable tone had nearly restored the image of Jaewoo that the old Hyun-seung had tarnished.
No, it wasn't just restored; the name Jaewoo was now starting to become a common topic of conversation.
[There is one point of concern. The condition is that the U.S. will only integrate weapons developed by Jaewoo Thales in the future, which could lead to fairness issues among defense contractors. Many experts agree on this point, and most argue that it could, in fact, hinder the development of our nation's weapons industry.]
Of course, not all media was favorable.
Just as I used Han Ji-yeon, there was no reason our competitors wouldn't do the same.
Some media outlets, manipulated by our competitors, were plastered with malicious articles.
“Excuse me, but watching that news report made me wonder about something. Is it really such a big deal that only we are allowed F-16 weapons integration, enough for the media to criticize it so harshly?”
Secretary Kim, who was watching the news with me, asked cautiously.
She had recently started studying the defense industry to better assist me, but it seemed this particular point was hard for her to grasp.
“The number of F-16s sold worldwide is enormous. If even half of them were equipped with the weapons we will develop, we could see profits in the trillions of won. Since we're the only ones in South Korea allowed to do this, it's only natural for our competitors to be up in arms.”
“Then can't the competitors just get permission for weapons integration too?”
“That's why they're making such a fuss—because it's not easy. If the U.S. kept granting such permissions, it would be like shooting themselves in the foot. They wouldn't allow it so easily.”
“Wow! So we really did pull off something big.”
“Of course. But even though we've been granted weapons integration, we don't have any air-to-air missiles to sell right now, so there's no need to celebrate just yet.”
Even though I said that, I was already filled with anticipation.
Once the development of armaments for the fighter jets began in earnest, the technology for all the parts and materials will come from my research institute.
The profits from that would be comparable to what Thales makes from assembling and selling the weapons. In the end, it was a classic case of one person doing all the work while another reaped the rewards.
'In short, my plan to turn these companies into cormorants with rings around their necks is just beginning. No, has it already started with Thales?'
Come to think of it, that was true.
Out of the total export value of 1.5 billion dollars, my research institute would take roughly 200 million dollars in technology fees and operating profit for materials and parts.
That was equivalent to Jaewoo spitting out half of the operating profit from this project. If that isn't the life of a cormorant with a ringed neck, what is?
“Still, isn't this a way for Jaewoo to secure its future growth?”
“For now, that's the case.”
In fact, when you looked closer, that wasn't the extent of my profits.
The technologies to be transferred to the U.S. in the future would come from me, not Jaewoo.
That meant the royalties would naturally be mine. In conclusion, Jaewoo would get the glory from this project, but I would be the one to harvest its fruits.
“Then we should accelerate the development. I won't complain even if we have to work late often from now on.”
Secretary Kim belatedly showed her enthusiasm.
I wonder why, but after watching the news for a while longer, her expression suddenly changed and she complained.
“But who could it be?”
“What do you mean?”
“The ones pushing out such malicious articles. No matter how I look at it, I can't help but think those articles were commissioned by someone.”
It seemed she had the same feeling I did.
True, the tone was far too malicious for simply pointing out problems.
But then, there were more than one or two competitors who might do such a thing.
Still, if I had to pick one, S&U was the most likely suspect in this situation.
The only company in this country, besides Jaewoo Thales, that produced gunpowder and artillery shells.
The one that would be selected to develop the power pack for South Korea's next-generation tank in the future, only to ultimately fail and become the target of immense criticism.
Considering their business direction was nearly identical to ours, they were indeed the most likely culprit.
“Don't worry about it too much, Department Head.”
It wasn't really something to worry about.
Most of the media was already on our side, and the country was currently drunk on the fact that our defense industry, once a technological wasteland, had received recognition from the United States.
That kind of desperate struggle probably wouldn't last long.
“I'm not worried. By the way, what time is the celebratory banquet hosted by the Joint Chiefs of Staff?”
“It's at 6 p.m. today. It'll be at Gyeryongdae, so it would be best to hurry. Oh, and I've already prepared a suit for you to wear, so don't worry.”
“Then you should get ready too, Secretary Kim.”
“What?”
Secretary Kim looked blankly at my sudden request for her to accompany me.
Just then, an invitation from the Ministry of National Defense was lying open on the desk.
Instead of answering, I slid it over to her and pointed to a part of the text.
“It says 'family members welcome.' But what does that have to do with me...”
“If family is welcome, it's bound to be quite noisy, isn't it? I'll naturally have to make small talk with all sorts of unnecessary people. The problem is, I'm terrible at adapting to that kind of atmosphere.”
“...”
“To put it simply, I need you to be my shield, Secretary Kim.”
“...”
***
“Department Head Jin Hyun-seung of Jaewoo Thales and his party, passing through.”
The parking lot at Gyeryongdae was already packed with countless vehicles.
Secretary Kim seemed amazed by the procession of cars adorned with countless stars, her mouth agape.
In fact, it was the first time I'd seen so many generals, except for the time before my regression during the test launch of the Hyunmoo-4 missile.
“Oh! Department Head Jin Hyun-seung.”
As I entered the lobby, Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Oh Joong-geun was the first to greet me.
He was chatting with several generals and made a fuss over me as if we were old friends.
“I hope you didn't have any trouble getting here.”
“Thanks to your concern, it was a comfortable trip.”
“That's good to hear. Oh, come and say hello. We were just in the middle of a lively conversation about you.”
After a brief, formal greeting, he led me toward the group of generals.
“It's been a while.”
The ones who stood out the most were, of course, Lieutenant General Kim Tae-ik and General Lee Dong-wook.
Perhaps because of the relationship we'd built, I felt a strong bond with them even with just a simple exchange of nods.
“Where were we? Ah! We were talking about the weapons integration.”
The Chairman of the JCS continued speaking to the group, as if to finish his story.
The funny thing was, he skillfully avoided any topics that could be considered classified.
It was probably a conscious effort, considering the civilians mixed in among the banquet's attendees.
“By the way, I'd like to have a private word with you before the event starts. Do you have a moment?”
Chairman Oh Joong-geun, who had been livening up the mood, suddenly whispered in my ear.
Thanks to our early arrival, there was still some time to spare.
I nodded readily, and he led me by the arm to a corner of the lobby.
“Has a problem come up?”
“What problem could there be? I just have a few things I'd like to ask you.”
“What is it...”
“During the negotiations with General Jeffrey last time, didn't you mention something called HVP?”
“Are you referring to the close-range air defense system using hypervelocity projectiles?”
“Yes, that's the one. Is Jaewoo really developing such a system?”
“Of course.”
“Then, is it possible to apply it to our military as well?”
“...”
“Actually, I've been thinking about it since I got back. At the time, you proposed it to General Jeffrey for ship defense, but the more I think about it, the more I believe it could be adopted by our army too. As you said, if we just change the warhead and add a guidance system, it can be used on land, can't it?”
He wasn't wrong.
There's no difference between intercepting projectiles flying toward a ship and those flying toward a ground target.
He had probably realized that the HVP would be effective in defending against the massive rocket barrages from the North near the DMZ. In fact, right before my regression, the close-range air defense system our military built in the frontline areas to replace the 'Iron Dome' was exactly that.
“What do you think? If it's possible, I believe we could establish a truly groundbreaking defense system.”
I had more or less expected this situation.
Frankly, who would be happy to see someone else make better use of something they created?
He likely felt a sense of unfairness seeing the U.S. being able to utilize smart munitions more effectively than we could.
“However, if we are to build an air defense system using HVP, we must first secure a suitable detection radar system.”
“I'm aware of that. That's why I'm asking if Jaewoo is capable of developing the detection radar.”
“It's possible. If we have the money.”
“Really?”
The Chairman's face lit up.
Just as I was thinking 'no way,' he continued with another question.
“So, how long would development take?”
“Well, once we start full-scale development, about a year? But again, the problem is the budget.”
“Don't worry about the budget.”
“...”
I blinked in disbelief.
As if worried someone might overhear, he glanced around before stepping closer and continuing.
“Actually, at yesterday's JCS meeting, we passed a resolution to forgo the army's planned force enhancement project for next year and reallocate that budget to building a close-range air defense system using HVP.”
“You're forgoing the force enhancement project planned for next year?”
“Yes. That force enhancement project was ultimately about acquiring a close-range air defense system to counter North Korea's long-range artillery. The HVP you proposed to the U.S. Navy is a perfect fit, isn't it? We plan to inform the National Assembly of the resolution and seek their deliberation soon. Barring any unforeseen circumstances, the project should be approved.”
I hadn't known that the army's force enhancement project planned for next year was intended to counter North Korean long-range artillery.
Historically, I had no memory of the military undertaking such a project at this time.
In the end, it meant history had been twisted again. It felt like the butterfly effect I'd started was gradually turning into a massive typhoon.
“Hmm...”
But this time, it seemed that butterfly effect would bring me a huge profit.
In this era, I was the only one capable of building such an advanced defense system.
To put it simply, wasn't this the same as telling me to take the project for myself?
“Is it really okay for you to tell me such important information in advance?”
“It's a matter that will soon be officially requested anyway, so there's no harm. Besides, after all you've done for our military, if I have any decency, I should at least give you this much information to save face.”
The Chairman of the JCS said, puffing out his chest.
As if he had just repaid one of the debts he owed me.
True, a business tip of that magnitude was more than enough to cancel a debt.
“I don't know how to thank you.”
“No thanks are necessary. In any case, even if the military makes an official request right away, it will take time before the project is implemented. I hope the system's development will be complete by then.”
“You don't have to worry about that.”
In reality, one year was more than enough for development.
After all, I already had all the necessary technologies, including the multi-band phased-array radar and the guidance systems.
Wait, by the way, how much did our military spend to build the HVP system before my regression?
“What is the scale of the budget?”
“We'll have to finish the feasibility study, but it will be around two trillion won.”
If it proceeds like that, it would be a golden opportunity for me.
Most development costs are consumed by continuous testing, but since I already possessed the completed technology, I could drastically reduce the testing itself.
Moreover, the development of the radar's core elements would undoubtedly be handled by my research institute.
If things went well, there was a high chance that my research institute, not Thales, would take half the profits.
At least 500 billion to as much as one trillion won.
Wait, if this is the case, this isn't just a simple windfall.
In that case, proposing the HVP to the U.S. was truly a stroke of genius.