Chapter 472

Chapter 472: Exorbitant Demands

The next afternoon, when Lin Mo followed Chen Haiqing to the exhibitor area at Bourget Airport, he was startled by the sight of a mass of Old Russians crowding outside the National Defense Star booth.

What’s going on? Are the Old Russians trying to take over the booth?

These newcomers don’t seem friendly!

Chen Haiqing couldn’t help but glance sideways at Lin Mo, wondering if he had caused trouble again. However, seeing that the Old Russians didn’t appear to be threatening relieved him a bit.

Lin Mo recognized one of the white-haired Old Russians smiling at him; it was Sergei Sulotov, a senior engineer from Sukhoi, holding his military backpack.

"Hey! Chinese kid, I brought your stuff."

"Engineer Sulotov, I really appreciate it," Lin Mo replied, smiling as he took the backpack. Although the military rations weren’t much, they still represented taxpayers’ money from China.

"Um, can we talk?"

As Sergei Sulotov spoke, his eyes flickered, and he subtly gestured behind him.

The other Old Russians understood and stepped forward cheerfully to engage with the National Defense Star staff, bringing out gifts like Caviar, coffee, chocolate, and matryoshka dolls, appearing very familiar, as if they were old friends with many years of rapport.

The National Defense Star staff were somewhat taken aback by their flattery.

After all, Sukhoi is a renowned veteran in fighter jet design and production in Russia, a big player in the global aviation industry, holding a status even higher than Shenyang Aircraft Corporation and Chengdu Aircraft Industry Group in China.

However, seeing such enthusiasm from Sukhoi towards the emerging aerospace company left the National Defense Star staff feeling flustered, unsure of how to respond.

When the weasel shows kindness, it’s either inciting mischief or plotting theft. Observing this, Chen Haiqing remained unfazed, pondering if they were trying to steal J-14 secrets. How shameless!

With this thought in mind, Chen Haiqing exchanged glances with the Chinese guard outside.

"Engineer Sulotov! If you have something to say, just speak plainly," Lin Mo urged.

In Lin Mo’s eyes, the Russians’ performance appeared clumsy. After all, they couldn’t compare to the subtlety of the Chinese; even when trying to get friendly, the Old Russians were straightforward, with no hint of cunning. Even if they attempted to be clever, it was all too obvious.

"Well, I do have something I need your help with, but rest assured, the rewards will be generous. I won’t put you in a difficult position, and it won’t violate your rules."

Sergei Sulotov’s face flushed. He clearly had never done anything like this before and felt anxious, even stammering slightly.

Aside from fighter jets, he wasn’t very skilled in other areas. As a negotiator, Sergei Sulotov wasn’t the best choice, but Sukhoi couldn’t find anyone better suited, given that he and Lin Mo were the most familiar with each other. They were at least in the same field, even if they belonged to different organizations and countries.

"Help?!" Lin Mo scratched his head, wondering how he could assist someone from a different branch and country without violating any rules.

He couldn’t quite picture it.

Meanwhile, Chen Haiqing perked up, fully attentive. Lin Mo was the trump card of National Defense Star; they couldn’t afford any surprises.

In today’s tough market for talent, securing a top pilot like Lin Mo was a stroke of good luck. If anything went wrong due to the Old Russians, wouldn’t everyone at National Defense Star go insane?

"Let me get straight to the point. You have put Sukhoi in a terrible position. When we were landing during the transition, the ‘Mayflower’ only asked you to perform a simple maneuver, yet you executed such a difficult one! Now everyone thinks all our Sukhoi pilots can perform such maneuvers. What will happen if they buy our fighter jets and expect that level of tactical movements from us?"

Before even stating how Lin Mo could help, Sergei Sulotov couldn’t contain his frustrations any longer.

Lin Mo damaged Sukhoi?

Chen Haiqing looked at Lin Mo, confused. How did he manage to ruin things while using someone else’s plane in Paris? This guy’s ability to cause trouble seems extraordinary; even the Sukhoi people are pleading for mercy. How come they never noticed Lin Mo’s talent for causing trouble at National Defense Star before?

Indeed, it has caused great trouble; Sukhoi cannot easily shake off a hollow reputation, and there’s no escaping the fact that it has become a stepping stone for the Chinese.

It’s scary when comparisons arise, and then you have to throw things away.

After all, the Chinese also launched the J-11; it’s not just Sukhoi that relies on the Su-27 to replace the MiG-21 as their main export fighter to earn more money.

"Is it really that hard?"

Lin Mo tilted his head innocently, thinking that his maneuver was just a spontaneous effort, not anything particularly difficult.

His expression left Sergei Sulotov stunned. He couldn’t tell if Lin Mo was genuinely not taking that impressive maneuver seriously or if he was just pretending.

However, after repeatedly sizing him up, Sergei Sulotov couldn’t find any signs of pretense in Lin Mo; he seemed absolutely genuine. He couldn’t help but let out a disappointed sigh and divulged the task that Sukhoi had given him.

"I hope you can act as one of our Sukhoi pilots at this exhibition. The pay is negotiable, and you can choose any fighter jet for the flying display."

As soon as Sergei Sulotov finished speaking, Chen Haiqing and the senior staff from National Defense Star attending the exhibition were taken aback. Borrow a pilot?

Test pilots for fighter jets and flying display team members are all top-tier pilots.

The words from Sukhoi were quite thought-provoking.

When did the Russians become so desperate? It’s well-known that many Chinese pilots have trained in Russia and what was formerly the Soviet Union. By saying this, isn’t Sukhoi implying that Chinese pilots have completely surpassed Russian standards?

Sukhoi was once a major manufacturer in the Soviet Union, which had the capability to rival America. Even though only Russia remains now, the saying holds true: a dead camel is bigger than a horse.

Even if Sukhoi didn’t bring their most advanced fighter jets, the models showcased at the exhibition were still highly advanced, some of which China was still imitating and learning from.

Long regarded as a longstanding veteran in the aviation industry, Sukhoi still has its commendable aspects.

The fact that the Russians allowed Chinese pilots to interact with and even control the displayed fighter jets, including the Su-47 "Golden Eagle," and permitted highly qualified Chinese pilots to do so was extraordinary.

To outsiders, it may seem like an exhibition, but insiders recognize the significance; Sukhoi’s move to invite Chinese pilots is akin to laying the nation’s secrets before them.

How much they can grasp ultimately depends on the abilities of the Chinese pilots. However, it is certain that Chinese pilots proficient in both aircraft design and flight control will discover many advanced technologies.

Chinese people are known to be very clever; although they may sometimes take detours, a little hint can propel them to catch up at tenfold or hundredfold speeds.

In normal circumstances, no country would permit such an opportunity; not even a distant glance would typically be allowed.

To some extent, this amounts to a tacit acceptance of a semi-public technology leak.

For the orders at this major aerospace exhibition held every two years and future contracts, the Russians are paying a hefty price, which ignited excitement among the high-level officials from National Defense Star present on-site. Sukhoi’s technical strength is certainly on par with Shenyang Aircraft Corporation and Chengdu Aircraft Industry Group, and China’s aircraft manufacturers all carry some traces of Russian and former Soviet technology.

"I don’t agree. The price you are offering is not enough to borrow our best pilot,"

Chen Haiqing said as he approached Lin Mo, expressing his disapproval of Sukhoi’s proposal. His response caused Sergei Sulotov’s expression to stiffen, and the other senior executives from National Defense Star also looked bewildered.

They are National Defense Star, not Shenyang Aircraft Corporation or Chengdu Aircraft Industry Group; they are just an aerospace manufacturer supported by the older generations in the country. They haven’t even completed the full set of necessary technical accumulation and verification. Chen Haiqing’s outright rejection left everyone confused.

Sukhoi’s terms are enticing for a new manufacturer like National Defense Star; even Shenyang and Chengdu would not want to miss such an opportunity. All they needed to do was lend their pilot, which wouldn’t be much of a loss at all, and it wouldn’t even impact their own flight demonstrations. Lin Mo had already shown outstanding cross-platform control capabilities.

If this were another domestic company, they’d be begging to align with Sukhoi, eagerly accepting whatever scraps of knowledge might be offered.

"What conditions would you accept to agree to lend us your pilot?"

Sergei Sulotov spoke with a hint of anger, sensing that the young man was not well-disposed. He had laid out a generous offer, yet was met with disdain.

For him, this was already a very favorable proposal; not only could he earn a substantial service fee, but he also had the chance to glimpse Sukhoi’s technology—a rare opportunity that could happen once in a lifetime. Even companies like Lockheed Martin and Dassault wouldn’t pass up such a chance.

If Hindustan Aeronautics Limited, a manufacturer with greater strength than National Defense Star, learned of Sukhoi’s offer, they would probably be willing to pay extra just to have it.