After buying so many missiles from the Ukrainian army, Mavi definitely had to figure out a way to sell a batch first. At least make back the cost he spent. That way, the remaining Scuds and self-propelled rocket launchers would be essentially free! Absolutely fantastic.
"Which country would be best to sell these weapons to?" Mavi pondered this question seriously while sitting on the plane.
There are many war-torn countries in the Middle East that would definitely be very interested in short-range missiles and self-propelled rocket launcher systems. However, Mavi doesn't plan to sell missiles for fighting wars. Firstly, he isn't short on money, and secondly, he doesn't want to earn money stained with blood. That would be like aiding the wicked.
He still remembers the brutal, bloody scenes from the Chechen War back then. Especially the orphans left behind on the battlefield, which made Mavi think of his previous life. So he wouldn't profit from such wars.
Unless a country is experiencing significant terrorist activity and urgently needs this batch of missiles to eliminate armed groups. Otherwise, Mavi wouldn't easily get involved in conflicts.
"Ivan," Mavi instructed his butler on the plane, "send someone to contact the UAE and Saudi Arabia and see if they're interested in short-range missiles and self-propelled rocket launcher systems?"
300mm self-propelled rockets actually aren't that expensive; they won't sell for much. What's valuable is the launch system – that's worth a lot of money.
For example, the US M270 rocket launcher system cost as much as $1.97 billion in 2017. It's the key to launching the rockets. After all, rockets don't have precision guidance, and once they fly beyond 70 kilometers, the hit rate is practically like setting off bottle rockets, useful mostly for leveling an area. You can't hit specific targets...
Meanwhile, the Russian army's Smerch multiple rocket launcher system could be considered the most cost-effective system currently. In his previous life, many countries improved and developed various alternative products that surpassed its performance, based on this system.
For instance, China's new cutting-edge heavy rocket launcher, the AR-3, was developed from the Smerch artillery system. This thing can hit targets up to 760 kilometers away. And it can perform precision strikes outside a 100-kilometer range. This means it can both level an area (carpet bombing) and hit specific targets (precision guidance). But the most critical point is that it's a rocket launcher, not a missile! This is extremely important!
Because rocket launchers, no matter the range, can be sold internationally, and the Americans can't control it. But missiles with a range exceeding 300 kilometers are subject to non-proliferation restrictions. So the "nature" of the ammunition is very, very important.
"Yes, young master, I'll send someone to contact them right away," the butler replied to Mavi, taking the order.
"Oh, right, connect me to the Minister of Defense first. I have something I need to discuss with him!" Combining his memories from his previous life with the acquisition of the Ukrainian medium-range missile research institute, Mavi definitely planned to go all out and achieve something big.
Things like ultra-long-range precision rocket launchers, modified short-range missiles – he definitely had to invest money and have those Ukrainian missile scientists research and develop them for him.
The borderline medium-range missiles, Russia would use themselves. The borderline trade-type rocket launchers that can be modified to become missiles (with an included product instruction manual) – Mavi absolutely had to find a way to create these. This is unlimited business potential. European and North American countries simply can't come up with, nor can they sell, this kind of stuff.
"Young master, Minister Grilov's call has been connected; he's on the line," the butler, Ivan, said to Mavi, covering the phone receiver.
"Mhm." Mavi casually took the phone, and before he could even speak, he heard the hearty laughter of General Grilov, the Russian Minister of Defense, from the other end. "Mavi, thank you so much this time! Thanks to your help, you've helped our Ministry of Defense solve another difficult problem."
Minister Grilov naturally knew about Mavi buying those missiles and rockets. However, he didn't explicitly mention it, implicitly pretending not to know. This shows that Mavi's relationship with the Ministry of Defense was already quite close. As long as matters of principle weren't violated, everything was easily negotiable.
"Not at all, Minister Grilov, you flatter me! As a Russian citizen, this is just what I should do," Mavi replied humbly on the phone.
Then, he immediately got to the main topic, saying to General Grilov, "Right, General Grilov, I have something I want to discuss with you. Besides the development of the two missile models with ranges of 950 kilometers and 5800 kilometers..."
"I think our Russian military might also be able to develop improved versions based on the Smerch rocket launcher system and Scud missiles: an 800-kilometer ultra-long-range rocket launcher with 100-kilometer guidance capability, and 300-kilometer short-range missiles that can be modified to increase their range. This way, we can sell them internationally without restrictions. And I believe many countries will be scrambling to get them."
Mavi explained concisely on the phone.
However, as soon as he finished speaking, General Grilov, sitting in his office, was once again utterly astonished by his incredibly imaginative idea!
"An 800-kilometer ultra-long-range rocket launcher with 100-kilometer guidance capability? 300-kilometer short-range missiles that can be modified to increase their range? If these can be successfully developed, they can really be sold internationally!" Minister of Defense General Grilov was almost overwhelmed by Mavi's business mind.
God knows what's going on in his young head all day. Compared to his own subordinates, General Grilov suddenly felt that even if they had half of Mavi's intelligence... Oh, no, even if they had only a fifth of his intelligence, that would be satisfying... The thing is, they don't even have an eighth.
The latest novel is first published on liu69shu8!
"Yes, Minister Grilov, this is beneficial for our Russian military," Mavi said on the phone, seizing the opportunity. This would make his future missile business even more stable. Besides the over 2300 Scud missiles and self-propelled rocket launcher inventory he bought from Ukraine, he would have a continuous supply of new products to sell in the future.
"Alright then, Mavi, I will report this suggestion of yours to His Excellency the President." For the development of these 2 types of missiles and rockets, Minister Grilov also needed approval from the top leader. However, he believed that after hearing this news, President [Pu XX] would surely greatly praise Mavi's suggestion.
"Thank you, Minister Grilov," Mavi said politely on the phone. Actually, sometimes, he didn't even know how he managed to do these things himself.
After finishing the call with the Minister of Defense, Mavi handed the satellite phone to his butler, asking him to send someone to contact Saudi Arabia and the UAE to ask if they wanted Scud missiles.
(End of this chapter)