321: Chapter 321 The Middle East Arms Race

July in Shenzhen, the sun was scorching.

Xingchen Defense headquarters was located in the Nanshan Science and Technology Park, a twenty-three-story gray building with a low-key exterior and no sign.

But at this moment, the noise inside the building was louder than ever.

The fax machine was screaming.

Telephone rings echoed one after another.

Ten phones rang simultaneously, and the operators were in a flurry; some tucked receivers against their shoulders, taking calls with one hand and quickly recording notes with the other.

"Hello, Xingchen Defense... Vietnam? Okay, please send an official letter specifying the purchase quantity and delivery time."

"Pakistan? Please confirm the order quantity in writing; we have a standard format..."

"Egypt? Understood, thirty sets of intent have been recorded, please follow up with formal documents..."

Manager Wang Tao stood in the center of the lobby, watching the contracts coming out of the printer.

That high-speed laser printer, capable of printing sixty pages per minute, was running at its limit.

The paper wasn't coming out one sheet at a time, but in stacks, like products on an assembly line, piling up continuously in the basket beside it.

It was already half a meter high.

An assistant ran over, panting: "Manager Wang, in two hours, we have received inquiries from twelve countries. Official orders... eight!"

Wang Tao took a deep breath.

He had worked at Xingchen Defense for three years and had seen order growth and production capacity ramp-ups, but he had never seen a scene like this.

"Notify CEO Gu."

Nine o'clock in the morning, Gu Xinghe's office.

Gu Xinghe stood in front of the window, holding a summary table that had just been printed.

Xingchen Defense Order Statistics (July 2nd)

Country, Peregrine S-15 Sets, Missile Quantity, Amount (Approx.)

Vietnam, 20 sets, 400, 1.2 billion USD

Philippines, 15 sets, 300, 900 million USD

Malaysia, 15 sets, 300, 900 million USD

Thailand, 12 sets, 240, 720 million USD

Indonesia, 20 sets, 400, 1.2 billion USD

Pakistan, 25 sets, 500, 1.5 billion USD

Syria, 10 sets, 200, 600 million USD

Jordan, 8 sets, 160, 480 million USD

Egypt, 15 sets, 300, 900 million USD

Serbia, 10 sets, 200, 600 million USD

Total, 150 sets, 3000, 9 billion USD

He put down the report and looked out the window.

Outside the window was the view of Shenzhen Bay, sunlight sparkling on the sea surface.

The Hong Kong skyline in the distance was looming in the mist.

"It's only been two days," he murmured.

The assistant asked cautiously: "CEO Gu, our production capacity..."

Gu Xinghe nodded.

"I know. Existing capacity is only enough for half. Have the production department hold an emergency meeting to start three shifts. At the same time, initiate the expansion plan; capacity needs to increase by two times in the next three months."

The assistant noted it down and asked again: "Then these orders... do we take them all?"

Gu Xinghe thought for a moment: "Take them all. But the delivery time will have to be scheduled later. Also, initiate the Saudi assembly line plan."

Two o'clock in the afternoon, Baoan Airport.

A special plane of the Pakistan Air Force landed on the runway.

The cabin door opened, and Pakistan Air Force Chief Sohail Aman walked down the ramp.

The fifty-eight-year-old Aman wore a dark blue military uniform, his chest covered in medals.

He had served in the Pakistan Air Force for thirty-five years, flown F-16s and JF-17s, and commanded multiple border conflicts.

At the same time, another flight from Vietnam was landing.

The Deputy Minister of the Ministry of National Defense of Vietnam, Nguyen Van Hung, walked out of the regular passenger channel.

He was fifty-five, wearing a dark gray suit, looking like a businessman, but his eyes were sharp.

The two met in the VIP channel.

Aman smiled: "Minister Nguyen, you're here too?"

Nguyen Van Hung gave a bitter smile.

He had worked in the Ministry of National Defense of Vietnam for twenty years, responsible for equipment procurement, and had seen all kinds of situations.

But this time was different.

"The Peregrine Falcon is too sought after; if I don't come to Shenzhen, I'm afraid I won't even get a sip of soup."

The two smiled bitterly at each other and walked into the terminal together.

Four o'clock in the afternoon, Xingchen Defense negotiation hall.

This conference room was on the sixteenth floor, with floor-to-ceiling windows overlooking the view of Shenzhen Bay.

But at this moment, no one was looking at the scenery.

On both sides of the long table sat representatives from six countries.

Pakistan, Vietnam, Indonesia, Malaysia, Thailand, Philippines—six countries in Southeast Asia and South Asia, who usually had different positions on the South China Sea issue, were now gathered together for the same thing.

Gu Xinghe pushed the door open and sat at one end of the long table.

He got straight to the point without any pleasantries.

"Everyone, Xingchen appreciates the trust of each country. But the production capacity for the Peregrine Falcon is currently indeed limited."

"Annual production is only two hundred and forty sets. We still need to supply orders within China, leaving only one hundred and twenty sets per year for export."

The representatives looked at each other.

Aman spoke first.

His English had a thick Pakistani accent, but the meaning was very clear.

"CEO Gu, Pakistan is a frontline country. India is provoking us at the border every day, and our air defense pressure is the greatest. We need priority supply."

Nguyen Van Hung immediately followed up: "Vietnam is also a frontline! The situation in the South China Sea is tense, and the Philippines, Malaysia, and Indonesia are all expanding their military armaments. We cannot fall behind."

The Indonesian representative was not to be outdone: "Indonesia has seventeen thousand islands; our air defense needs are the greatest! Our airspace is even larger than all of Europe!"

The Malaysian representative adjusted his glasses and said calmly: "The Strait of Malacca is a global shipping lifeline. If something happens to Malacca, the global economy will be affected."

The Thai representative and the Philippine representative also spoke up, and the conference room instantly became noisy.

Gu Xinghe raised his hand to interrupt.

"Everyone."

Everyone quieted down.

"Xingchen's principle is—first come, first served, fair distribution."

"The ten countries that placed orders today will have production scheduled in chronological order. The first batch will be delivered starting in October this year."

He paused.

"But Xingchen can offer an additional plan—establishing a Peregrine Falcon assembly line in Saudi Arabia, catering to Middle East and Southeast Asian customers."

"If countries are willing to accept 'Made in Saudi Arabia,' the delivery cycle can be cut in half."

The representatives discussed in low voices.

Aman asked: "Made in Saudi Arabia? Is the quality guaranteed?"

Gu Xinghe nodded: "The core components—missile seekers, fire-control radars—are still produced in China. Saudi Arabia is only responsible for final assembly and testing."

"Xingchen will station engineers to supervise the entire process. The quality standards are exactly the same as the Shenzhen factory."

Nguyen Van Hung pressed further: "What about the price?"

"Same configuration, same price. No premium."

The representatives of the six countries looked at each other.

Aman smiled: "This plan is negotiable."

Seven o'clock in the evening, Gu Xinghe returned to his office and dialed Su Chen's number.

"CEO Su, we received official orders from ten countries today. But our capacity can only meet half. I proposed the 'Saudi assembly line' plan."

Su Chen's voice came from the receiver, as calm as if he were discussing the weather.

"What does Fahd say?"

"Haven't asked yet. But Saudi Arabia's own additional thirty sets also need priority supply."

"Let them provide the land and personnel to help Xingchen build the assembly line; they should be willing."

"We have a defense company in Saudi Arabia, we can assign this project to the Spark-Arab Defense Company, which can not only increase capacity but also ensure technology does not leak."

Su Chen was silent for three seconds.

"Can do. But the core components—missile seekers, fire-control radars—must be produced in China. Saudi Arabia is only responsible for final assembly and testing."

"Understood."

"Also, tell the representatives of each country: Xingchen's weapons are for defense. All exported Peregrine Falcon must have a position tracking chip installed and must not be used for offensive actions."

Gu Xinghe smiled.

"I've already said this three times."