"Your Highness, I will swiftly organize engineers to develop these weapons, striving to transform the designs into reality in the shortest time possible. When that happens, we will undoubtedly capture the army's favor in the realm of light weaponry, and securing orders will be effortless!" Gustav Krupp exclaimed with palpable excitement.
Gustav Krupp seemed to envision a scenario where Mauser and Rheinmetall would be overwhelmed by the Deutsche Waffen- und Munitionsfabriken. Their market share would be substantially commandeered by his company.
"Given Krupp's research and development capabilities, it should be feasible to bring these designs to fruition within a year, correct?" Qin Tian inquired. Although Krupp had not made significant strides in light weaponry, their R&D capabilities were indeed formidable.
"A year's time will suffice. Your Highness, we are confident we can develop these weapons within that timeframe," Gustav assured.
"Mr. Krupp, it would be splendid to achieve completion within a year. However, there can be no compromise on performance; we must strive for the utmost reliability. Convincing those in the army will not be an easy task otherwise," Qin Tian remarked earnestly.
"Indeed, Your Highness," Gustav Krupp nodded in agreement.
German weaponry has always been characterized by an obsession for perfection, which often results in intricate designs. The most conspicuous example of this is undoubtedly the Tiger tank, with its complex layout of interleaved road wheels, which while serving its heavy needs, made maintenance a logistical nightmare. This was primarily due to Germany's lack of rubber at the time, which limited industrial capabilities. Furthermore, the exorbitant cost of German weapons meant that the army could not afford to equip itself with too many modern weapons, severely hampering its combat effectiveness.
In this timeline, Qin Tian was determined to avoid such pitfalls. Thus, he aimed to select weaponry that not only excelled in performance but also featured simpler designs. If technology permitted, he aspired to develop the AK-47 as well, significantly enhancing the combat effectiveness of the German army.
Gustav Krupp was immensely satisfied with this collaboration, particularly as Qin Tian's exceptional designs hinted at vast profits.
"Mr. Krupp, I hope that the development of these light weapons will not impede the progress of naval artillery. The navy's cannons take precedence," Qin Tian stated with utmost seriousness.
He understood that the navy was Germany's Achilles' heel, a primary reason for its defeat in another timeline. Therefore, he placed great importance on naval strength. Only by defeating the British Navy could Germany safeguard its overseas trade, enabling it to sustain its war efforts and avoid being dragged down by the likes of Britain, France, and America. Strengthening the army was certainly beneficial, but even if that did not come to pass, it mattered little, as the German army's combat capability was already unparalleled, with the worst outcome being a few more lives lost in battle.
Of course, given Germany's relatively small population, every soldier's life was invaluable. Minimizing casualties was always a worthy pursuit.
"Rest assured, Your Highness. We will prioritize the naval artillery. We will allocate separate personnel for the light weapons development to ensure the navy's artillery research remains unaffected," Gustav assured, fully aware of Qin Tian's emphasis on the navy. He recognized that any disruption to naval development would likely displease Qin Tian, adversely affecting their collaboration.
"By the way, Mr. Krupp, are you familiar with the French army's M1897 75mm quick-firing field gun?" Qin Tian queried.
"The M1897 75mm quick-firing gun?" Gustav Krupp frowned. He was aware of this standard field gun of the French army but had not considered it particularly significant, believing that German artillery was paramount. Naturally, the cannons produced by Krupp were the most advanced.
"Mr. Krupp, I assure you, that is a truly formidable piece of artillery. If we do not regard it seriously, our army will suffer tremendously in future conflicts," Qin Tian stated gravely.
The French M1897 75mm field gun, colloquially known as 'Miss 75', was a principal artillery piece for the French during World War I. Despite weighing merely 1.5 tons, it boasted a range of 8,500 meters, but even more alarming was its rate of fire, which could reach up to 15 rounds per minute. Such a firing rate eclipsed that of similar artillery pieces from other nations, including Germany.
In the context of another timeline during World War I, German forces frequently faced devastating barrages from this artillery, leading to significant casualties during offensives.
Although Germany's main 105mm artillery could suppress French artillery, it still fell short in terms of rate of fire. If Germany could possess artillery of comparable performance, it would significantly enhance the firepower of the German army.
"Is it truly that impressive?" Gustav Krupp expressed skepticism, firmly believing that the artillery produced by his company was the most advanced.
"The maximum rate of fire for the French 75mm field gun reaches 15 rounds per minute," Qin Tian asserted.
"What? That's impossible!" Gustav Krupp exclaimed, leaping up in disbelief.
Yet, upon witnessing the gravity of Qin Tian's demeanor, he began to accept the truth in what was being conveyed.
"My God! How did the French manage that? How could they achieve such a firing rate for a field gun? That's utterly terrifying!" Gustav marveled.
"The French have completely resolved the recoil issue with this field gun. The barrel slides on trunnions, mounted on a carriage connected to a piston rod within the recuperator. When the gun recoils, the piston compresses hydraulic oil, directing some through a narrow valve to compress air in a chamber. Upon reaching the limit of recoil, the compressed air restores the barrel to its original position. This mechanism allows for their guns to achieve remarkable firing speeds. Of course, to mislead us, they intentionally downplay the rate of fire in their propaganda."