The expeditionary force began to dominate Southeast Asia by recruiting defeated soldiers

Chapter 590: Standardization of Next-Generation Small-Caliber Bullets and Artillery

Finally, based on discussions among many parties and in light of the actual situation, Zhang Chi decided to stop production of all imitation White Eagle weapon series from May 1, 1946. Subsequent weapons such as the M1 Garand, M1919 machine gun, and BAR automatic rifle would only be repaired but not produced.

The existing production line will be maintained until the end of August, with only repairs and assembly using existing parts. No new guns or ammunition will be produced. After August, it will be completely shut down.

Zhang Chi estimated that by then, even if there was a butterfly effect, the Japanese would have surrendered. Naturally, there would be no need to mass-produce and supply .30-06 rifle bullets.

The production line of the Nanyang Type 51 7.62x51mm rifle bullet has been gradually increasing its production capacity since February, with the goal of entering full production after August.

The production capacity of the traditional White Eagle imitation weapons production line began to gradually shift to the NTB44 battle rifle (G3) and the NTG44 general-purpose machine gun (MG3).

The next 20 years will be an era of rapid development. As long as Nanyang itself does not become the front line of confrontation between the Eastern and Western camps, Zhang Chi will only plan to maintain a standing army of about 30 in peacetime, that is, a large number of skeleton divisions.

因此NTB44型战斗步枪的总需求量并不大，张弛估摸着将其产量从目前的每月8000支左右，短暂的提高到每月3、4万的巅峰规模，等鬼子投降再降到1、2万就够了。

Such output is naturally incomparable to the level of the major powers in World War II, which produced hundreds of thousands of rifles and submachine guns per month, but it is relatively more economical.

If the overall economy of the South Pacific United States wanted to develop rapidly after the war, Zhang Chi had to reduce the total military investment and shift it towards high-end weapons.

Fortunately, he has the system in hand, and various epoch-making tanks and aircraft can be exchanged in advance for research and development and imitation.

Regarding the remaining captured weapons, Zhang Chi said to Kang Huojian:

"John's .303 weapons and the Japanese 6.5mm/7.7mm weapons will all be exported, along with their ammunition, except for some kept for training, display, or storage. We can export them to the North or the Middle East, as long as we can exchange them for hard currency or the resources we need."

When World War II is over, the Russians and the White Eagles will also join the market for selling surplus arms. By then, the world will be flooded with a large number of cheap second-hand weapons from these two companies. Therefore, Zhang Chi knows that if he wants to sell them, he must do so as soon as possible. If he delays a little, he will no longer be able to sell them.

However, he did not put too much pressure on Kang Huojian: "If you can sell it, sell it. If not, recycle it into steel or distribute it to Chinese immigrants. It's up to you to decide."

Zhang Chi is not planning to implement a strict gun ban in Southeast Asia. Hunters, immigrants in remote areas and other professions who objectively need various types of bolt-action weapons to protect their own safety only need to apply for a gun license to legally possess bolt-action or semi-automatic weapons.

What he really wants to ban are fully automatic weapons, which are real killers that can cause a large number of casualties in a short period of time and must be strictly controlled.

As for small-caliber and intermediate-power ammunition, Zhang Chi intends to skip the intermediate-power ammunition:

"I'm going to set up a special task force, codenamed 'Light Spear,' and gather talent from various military factories. Our goal is to develop our army's next-generation small-caliber, high-velocity rifle ammunition and its accompanying weapon systems."

Zhang Chi’s words were earth-shattering.

While the military circles of various countries are still debating the advantages and disadvantages of full-power bullets and intermediate-power bullets, he has already set his sights on the next generation.

The eyes of several experts from Yidai in the military factory lit up instantly.

One of the experts, an old man named Alberto, waved his arms excitedly:

"Sir, I completely agree with your decision. Small caliber, high initial velocity, low recoil, and high ammunition capacity. This is the future. I've said before that our 6.5mm Carcano rifle round and the Japanese 6.5mm Arisaka round are the right ideas, but the materials, technology, and design concepts haven't kept up."

We can definitely take the essence of it and develop smaller calibers, such as 5.5-6mm, with lighter bullets and higher chamber pressures."

Several Chinese engineers who had returned from the White Eagle Project in the factory offered different ideas on the spot:

"White Eagle's popular civilian small-caliber hunting cartridges, such as the .22 Hornet and .222 Remington, are mature in technology. With minor improvements, such as changing the bullet's armor material or using a higher-energy-density propellant, they can be used in the military with minimal risk, a shorter development cycle, and quicker results."

Zhang Chi listened to the debate between the two factions and did not express his opinion immediately, but emphasized:

"The Light Spear team's primary mission is to conduct extensive research, comparative testing, and produce a practical proposal report. I want to see data and feasibility analysis, not just debate. The specific caliber will be determined by science and actual combat requirements."

"Also, your factory must initiate the domestic development of 9x19mm Parabellum ammunition, and simultaneously develop new submachine guns and self-defense pistols using this ammunition. However, this is a lower priority than the rifle and general-purpose machine gun projects, so proceed steadily."

Zhang Chi is well aware that the submachine gun's position in conventional warfare will gradually be replaced by assault rifles, but it still has value in special operations, urban fighting and police use. Therefore, he does not have high expectations for the new submachine gun project. He just wants to use new engineering plastic materials to replace the old bulky Thompson submachine gun.

Infantry weapons are just an appetizer; the real focus of military production is still artillery.

"The barreled artillery system will be completely standardized. Only the three core calibers will be retained and fully produced: 75mm (light support/anti-tank), 105mm (division/brigade-level main howitzers), and 155mm (corps-level heavy artillery). With standardized calibers, logistics will be simplified and training will be more efficient."

Zhang Chi made the final decision, "All the ammunition production lines for those captured John 25-pounder guns (87.6mm), Japanese 75mm field guns, Japanese 105mm field guns... will be shut down. Finished products and inventory ammunition that can be sold will be sold, and those that cannot be sold will be recycled to free up production capacity and resources for our standard calibers."

Nanyang imported a complete set of artillery manufacturing equipment and gun steel formulas from the Gallic Schneider factory, but it will take some time to fully master them, so the only artillery that the military factory can successfully put into production at present is still the 105mm level.

As for the 155-level cannon, its chamber pressure is greater and the strength requirement for the gun barrel is higher. The military factories themselves are still working on it, so Zhang Chi did not aim too high and set the standard caliber for artillery above 155mm.

"The mortar system has also been simplified: 60mm (platoon level), 81mm (company/battalion level), 120mm (battalion/regiment level), just three levels. The Japanese grenade launchers (50mm) and those non-standard mortars will all be disposed of."

Regularization, standardization, and unification of logistics are the next goals that Zhang Chi has set for Nanyang’s military-industrial system.