The cost of learning this lesson through the deaths and injuries of thousands is undeniably heavy.
But the consequences of their stubbornness will not be limited to these casualties; they may very well wipe out an entire generation of their tribe's young men.
It is true that Kidal cannot stay any longer; the sooner we leave, the better.
The problem is that four wheels can't compete with wings. Without the cover of the earthen house and courtyard, the other side is more efficient at clearing out people.
"Then mobilize the civilians in the refugee camps, and we'll just abandon our weapons and equipment and evacuate to Tinkbatu by mixing in with the civilians."
Seeing that the leader had decided on the general direction, the deputy quickly offered his advice.
The British and government forces have no reason to stop civilians from evacuating Kedar, but they will set up checkpoints to screen them.
Other organizations would certainly be reluctant to discard their weapons and equipment, but the Coordinating Movement of Azawad happens to have all sorts of light weapons.
If the inspection is strict, they'll just throw away the fire poker. What else can you rely on to distinguish them? Calluses on your hands?
Just kidding, it's fine to be a little extreme when fighting extremist groups; but when fighting separatist armed groups, there's the UN peacekeeping mission overseeing things, so that's not evidence that can be presented openly.
"You're right. Tomorrow, you take 1,000 men and evacuate first."
Tequadeda made the decision directly.
"No, Chief, you take your men and leave first tomorrow, I'll stay behind to cover the rear."
The deputy immediately disobeyed the order.
The death of a deputy is one thing, but the loss of a leader like Lao Tai in Qidal would seriously affect the development of the Azawad Coordination Movement.
"I'm injured, so I definitely won't be able to walk tomorrow. I need to rest before I can walk again."
Seeing that the leader was about to say something, the deputy quickly cut him off.
"Then you absolutely must get out alive!"
All of Tequayda's words boiled down to one sentence: he knew he couldn't act recklessly.
"Knock knock knock"
The sounds of gunfire and artillery were still deafening outside, but the first wave of attacks was nearing its end, and Old Deer Tiger and Longbow Cross Deer were running out of ammunition.
Modern warfare is all about the quantity of munitions delivered; whether it's conventional munitions or precision-guided munitions, the more munitions consumed, the better the effect.
Therefore, no matter how stingy the people of the Philippines are, they dare not cut corners on this part of the budget. They supply what they have readily, and for what they don't have, they honestly accept the quotes from Jihuo Defense.
After all, Xia Yu believes in fairness in business, and his missiles and rockets are cheaper than those from the United States.
The Hellfire rocket sold by the old magnesium company to the Americans was priced the same as the internal procurement price of the magnesium army, but even so, it was still too expensive.
The miser may not say it outright, but his actions speak louder than words. He uses the pretext of concentrated fire defense to launch cheap missiles while leaving his own Hellfire missiles in storage untouched.
As for their own Akron, the ground version of the MMP officially entered service last year, replacing Milan and Javelin.
The air-launched version of the MLP is still under development. Buying the Hellfire is like buying the Javelin before; it's just to cope with this awkward transitional period.
But when asked how long the awkward situation would last, it might take another 10 years before the Tiger model could be deployed!
Limited by its size, China's military industry can produce things, but the problem is that the entire project cycle is ridiculously long. When the previous generation of equipment is retired, there is no seamless transition, and foreign weapons are often purchased to fill the gap period.
This is nothing to Germans who are not at war, but it's a big problem for Germans.
The high price of domestically produced weapons and equipment can also boost employment in upstream and downstream industries within the country.
When buying foreign goods, the cheaper the better, provided the specifications are similar. However, the military-industrial complex of a suspected ally is so greedy that it even rips off its own people.
Therefore, we can only buy a little and store it for later use, and then consume it during training and combat when it is about to expire.
Before that, outsourcing to "Japanese" goods was the best option.
"call out"
Longbow Cross Deer used up its last Bluearrow7.
"Boom!"
A self-destructing truck, fitted with bulletproof steel plates overnight, was blasted into the air while ramming a convoy of Chinese people.
"Perhaps he should have waited until night to launch the attack."
"That's what the flying squirrel said in the internal channel."
"They're welding new trucks at night, and there are CH-4 bombers patrolling the air. What's the difference between day and night?"
The Fai Army didn't bring wheeled assault guns this time, and the VBCI's 25mm small water pipes really couldn't break through the defenses of these suicide trucks, but their mechanized infantry squads were also equipped with a javelin for each vehicle.
With the MMP entering service, many of the javelins nearing the end of their service life were also put to use.
If Xia Yu wanted to say it, it would be better to sell it to him for tens of thousands of euros per shot. The base price was $200,000, with various target vehicles available, both movable and immobile. Wouldn't that be better than shooting down suicide trucks and armed pickup trucks?
That said, the old-fashioned Lanxi Plain White Banner, who didn't rip off the poor, was actually the originator of exploiting the rich!
It would be a waste to just shoot down a luxury item like a javelin in the anti-tank world. The summit mode is so much more entertaining, especially at night.
"Whoosh whoosh whoosh"
After clearing out the last few rockets, Xia Yu led the retreat from the battlefield.
The Hanhao Bird crew still has one more flight to complete. For him, the battlefield is over for today, but the battle in the business world has just begun.
Back at the village camp, Xia Yu had just gotten off the plane when Thompson, who had been left waiting all morning, rushed to greet him.
"Mr. Sherlock, you've always been leading from the front, it must be so tiring!"
Foreigners can also flatter and beat around the bush, but this is limited to the elite class. Rednecks and lower-class Black people are very direct.
Thompson is clearly an elite with a technical background, but he talks a lot of nonsense.
“I enjoy being with my buddies and I also enjoy the feeling of maintaining peace in the region.”
Xia Yu spoke selectively.
"However, various businesses have squeezed out my energy for combat. For example, in order to entertain you, I canceled the afternoon's attack and had to send my two employees on their own."
Following Xia Yu's gaze, Thompson looked at Lao Han and the other man.
Okay, are there really that many Asians who can drive doe deer?
Watching the Hanhao Bird crew flash their bright white teeth in response to the boss's performance, Old Tang, who was also smiling back, couldn't help but think of something.
Or rather, it's not just about piloting the female takin; there are also those who can cook, pilot the weasel, the T-64B1M, and the T-80U. Only a concentrated attack on defense could put together such a lineup.
"Let's not talk about this anymore, let's go have lunch first, it's almost 1 o'clock."
Xia Yu then took the other person to eat.
Knowing that guests were coming, Lao Wu specially added an extra cold dish.
Thompson ate a lot of Chinese and Japanese food during his vacation. He had no problem using chopsticks and gave high praise to the food at the Battlefield of Focused Fire.
But after the pleasantries and dinner, the company's second barista, Dorothea, brought over two cups of Keniya hand-drip AA, a gift Justin brought when the aircraft carrier museum opened.
Xia Yu also took the opportunity of this meeting to mention the Zhomali Youth Team.
The result is that the timing is not right yet. These guys suffered a loss in Kenniya before, and in the past two years they have shifted their focus back to China and taken over a lot of territory.
Of course, some attacks were launched during this period, but they were all repelled by the border troops' 15 Marder S3 tanks equipped with active protection systems.
This is the benefit of being willing to spend money on equipment and high-quality soldiers. Even if we don't talk about the level of offensive capabilities, the level of defense is definitely more than enough.
Therefore, the only situation at this stage where Keniya is willing to pay for a match against the Zhomali youth team is if the opposing team invests resources to severely damage them.
Heavy infantry fighting vehicles are not omnipotent. Border troops can intercept the youth team on the line bordering Zhomali, but they cannot stop them from crossing the border via Aysai.
That's why it's still possible to cause trouble if you want to, but it will take more effort.
So, is the Zhomali youth team willing to go through all this trouble?
Xia Yu believed they were willing; after consolidating the territory, wouldn't their focus shift overseas again?
If the border troops can't break through, then we'll have to find another way. In short, Kenniya will definitely be taken down; it's just a matter of time.
We can afford to wait two or three years for concentrated fire defense, after all, mountain warfare is a great test of a PMC company's capabilities, and Xia Yu still needs to gather some more equipment.
To him, Thompson looked like an NPC who was dropping loot, but he had to trade what the other wanted in return.
"These 21 F-5 fighter jets were ordered from His Majesty the King long ago. Although it is a commercial transaction, it also testifies to our friendship."
Xia Yu started to raise the price beforehand. He imported each aircraft from York for $1 million, but the old king rounded it down to $20 million including shipping.
Without any personal connections, the official price should be 30 million excluding shipping, since the condition of this batch of Tiger IIs is only slightly worse than the Swiss version!
If the Americans want it, they'd have to offer equipment worth at least $50 million to make up for it!
This is Xia Yu's bottom line for the price; otherwise, he could easily make 70 to 80 million by modifying a single-seat target drone and selling a two-seat one secondhand.
Not to mention the additional value-added services such as ammunition consumption, logistical maintenance, and long-term hosting.
If you do the math, he could easily make a hundred million. If the Americans aren't willing to bleed money, why would they sell this batch of F-5s to them?
“Our Tactical Air Support Company is willing to pay a premium for this precious friendship, Mr. Sherlock. Please tell us your company’s needs.”
Thompson took a deep breath and expressed Tacair's position.
He needs a price before he can negotiate!
"Oh, you can even get your hands on army equipment?"
Xia Yu asked the other party.
In the morning, he saw that it was Black Hawk from Niger Forward Base that brought Thompson and his group to Kidal, so he wanted to confirm it.
"Of course, whether it's the M1A1 or the Bradley, as long as the concentrated fire defense needs it, it can be delivered to Afica in as little as a month."
This guy talks a good game, but he doesn't mention the M1A2 or the Stryker. What does Xia Yu need all this industrial junk for?
"Our company doesn't need any of these, but can you get your hands on an M777?"
Xia Yu didn't expose the other party, but asked directly about the first target of the day - the M777 ultralight howitzer, which is also a 155mm howitzer that can be transported by heavy transport aircraft.
The hometown, which is also very good at using titanium alloys, also brought out a competing product, the AH-4, but the product is so good that production capacity is directly maximized.
The client lined up from Central Asia all the way to the Middle East, and even across the ocean to North Africa, saying that it would be 20 years before they could expand the production line and release the capacity.
Of course, it wouldn't be impossible to squeeze out a section from the customer's orders, but Xia Yu said there was no rush.
Getting goods at cost price shouldn't be rushed. The client is offering over 5 million yuan per unit, so it's only right to allocate limited production capacity to high-net-worth clients.
Moreover, one might not be enough; we'd need at least three to make a platoon.
Once production capacity expands, the size of the concentrated fire defense will be sufficient to support a dedicated artillery division, instead of relying on multiple rocket launchers or borrowing artillery and equipment from Busa.
Before forming this gun platoon, they can use an M777 gun as a temporary measure and train a professional gun crew in the process.
Furthermore, Xia Yu can neither obtain nor afford the magnesium-made divine sword, but he can have as many GP series swords as he wants.
Not to mention GPS/INS projectiles that don't require laser guidance, terminally guided projectiles equipped with millimeter-wave detection systems and self-forging warheads that can engage moving targets, and rocket-propelled glide projectiles capable of reaching ranges of hundreds of kilometers...
Xia Yu wanted to try anything given the opportunity, as it would also allow him to gather data and intelligence from actual combat and better evaluate various types of ammunition.
"Yes, but there aren't any new ones."
Thompson quickly replied.
It's just an M777, aside from the lack of new stock, just tell me how many doors you want!
"If you don't have any, that's fine. Just one is enough."
Xia Yu raised his right index finger and said.
This thing only has a 2500-round full-charge firing lifespan, and a used one might have around 1000 rounds left.
Because it doesn't have the same walking assistance mode as the TRF1, the system can't be prepared, but the main body is definitely sufficient for firing laser-guided projectiles.
If it's destroyed, it'll be perfect for the Jihuo Defense Company Museum. This museum, which isn't even built yet, already has a lot of booths booked. Old Magnesium's M777 will definitely have a place there.
Oh, wrong, they're from England.
"Just one door, one door, and it can be delivered in as little as half a month."
Thompson took out his notebook and began writing as he spoke.
Since it wasn't any sensitive equipment, the connections he used allowed him to ship the goods first and complete the paperwork later. He even found a C-130J that was going the same way, so he didn't have to pay for shipping.
The world's largest military spending is being squandered bit by bit like this, but it doesn't seem so bad.
"Anything else?"
After quickly finishing writing, Old Tang continued to ask questions.
"Four sets of fire control disassembly parts for AC-130H".
Upon hearing Xia Yu's unusual request, Thompson paused in his writing.
What do you need this thing for?
"Of course, we should develop the museum's gunship business, and we can also sell a few modified AC-160s along the way."
Xia Yu said it very directly.
Adding cannons to a transport plane is not difficult, but making the cannons fire accurately is very difficult.
The fire control system is the core of the gunship. Developing a dedicated fire control system for just a few aircraft would be too expensive. The most cost-effective approach is to use salvaged parts from old magnesium aircraft.
Anyway, their AC-130Js are already in service, and the old AC-130Hs have all been thrown into the aircraft graveyard in the desert.
It's not difficult to build four fire control systems without the main body and artillery.
"Don't tell me you can't do it; you're an Air Force Major General."
Xia Yu looked at Thompson with a suspicious gaze.
"Of course I can help, even though I'm a former Air Force Major General."
Old Tang lowered his head again and began writing in his notebook.
He still prefers his current position as CEO of PMC to his previous role.
“But your request is a bit special and will take some time, at least a quarter or so, to get it to Afica.”
Thompson said after confirming the scope of the project and each stage.
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