"One quarter is fine, after all, I haven't even got one of my planes in place yet!"
Xia Yu didn't feel the delivery time was long; Busa had already sent a batch of four flight cadets to study in China.
With the addition of two trainees who were retired from the training aircraft, a total of three crews can be formed to take turns flying the two Y-8s.
Busa didn't rush to hand over the C-130H that was being phased out; he let the other party use it for the time being.
As for the original crew members, they plan to retire once the transport aircraft is handed over and switch to the War Museum to continue flying AC-130Hs.
I've grown attached to my old car, and I'm also tempted by the benefits of being a firefighter in the defense department—that's a bigger lure than being promoted to lieutenant colonel.
There's no rush for the three C-160s. During the mid-term settlement, the Germans can directly use the equipment to offset part of the payment, saving us the trouble of asking Rheinmetall for help.
Jihuo Defense has a large number of German employees, but their networks are mostly in the armored forces, unlike clients like Germany where they can directly communicate and make demands.
"And besides, none of these are anything of value."
Thompson continued to ask.
A brand-new AC-130H costs $130 million, but after decades of use, its residual value is at most a few million.
Not to mention that after removing the most valuable parts, the machine and weapons, all Xia Yu wanted was that outdated fire control system.
Given the scarcity of gunships, four sets could roughly be exchanged for two standard F-5s, and the second-hand M777 he previously requested could only be used to purchase one.
It wasn't that Lao Tang didn't want to quote a higher price, but the other party was really knowledgeable!
He hoped the other party would order large quantities of high-priced items, rather than small, miscellaneous items like these two.
Are A-10 warthogs valuable?
Xia Yu asked the other party.
Yes, he finally made up his mind to take action against this flying Gatling gun.
“Mr. Sherlock, you’ve come to the right person. My wife, Olivia, flew this attack aircraft before she retired. I know it better than the F-16.”
Upon noticing Xia Yu's interest in Raiden II, Thompson immediately became interested.
"In the 1980s, a brand-new A-10 produced by Fairchild was worth $9.6 million. Including two experimental aircraft, a total of 715 were produced. Although there is no record of export, a Raiden II with about 1,000 hours of flight life remaining would cost about $5 million."
He gave a quote, stating that with such a short flight life, the wings have no value for organ donation.
Those A-10s in good condition were mostly dismantled for parts to maintain the Air Force's more than 200 Warthogs in active service.
Even so, the old magnesium was almost unable to stay afloat, so it commissioned Boeing to customize a brand new wing. As for the price...
"8.8 million yuan can extend the service life of an old A-10 by 7,300 hours by replacing the wings."
Upon hearing Thompson's offer, Xia Yu was stunned for two seconds before exclaiming, "Good heavens, has Boeing become so greedy?"
It should be said that it has always looked this bad. This is the internal price they gave to the US Air Force, and it was only because the US had completely replaced its wings in the last two years that they were able to get this price.
But we cheaters don't need such expensive wings at all. Old wings can be refurbished and become new again. Besides, there are those old warthogs in the aircraft graveyard with a lifespan of only 1,000 hours. The Americans are unwilling to spend the time to disassemble and install them. Xia Yu can do this very quickly, in a matter of minutes.
This is a demand that only arises during the operation and high-intensity use of museums.
If you sell it to those rich people, it'll be like the supercars in their garages, which they won't even drive for 50 hours a year.
Even if Xia Yu doesn't maintain it after getting it, 1000 hours is enough to play with it for 20 years before scrapping it.
"No need. 8.8 million is enough to buy one and a half more. I want six A-10s that can take off and fight, plus two spare parts aircraft that can't fly."
Xia Yu formally stated his needs to the other party.
He could accept a unit price of 5 million for the A-10 with 1,000 hours of life remaining. Even if the other party's purchase price was cheaper, he wouldn't lose out because his purchase price was lower.
"But you must also provide the technical data related to Fairchild's development of the two-seat A-10B!"
Just as Lao Tang was about to agree, Xia Yu made a new request.
Converting an attack aircraft to a two-seat configuration is relatively easy, but with original technical guidance, how many resources can be saved in the long run?
"It would be difficult to find someone else, but you've come to the right person. I happen to have some connections with Northrop Grumman. The Fairchild A-10 OEM team and all the A-10-related assets responsible for A-10 production and maintenance are with them."
Thompson said proudly.
This kind of insensitive abandoned solution is not difficult to obtain as long as the key person can be found.
"Oh, what's Mr. Thompson's relationship with McDonnell Douglas... no, I should say Boeing?"
Xia Yu asked casually.
"Not as close as Northrop Grumman, but regarding the F-18 Hornet project, I want to get closer to them."
Thompson and Xia Yu discussed his next phase of development plans.
Several of the Tactical Air Support Company’s competitors already have the F-16. The F-5 can only take on contracts to train rookies. For advanced training of veterans, third-generation aircraft are still needed.
Therefore, he set his sights on the F-18 fighter jet, which was designed in collaboration between McDonnell Douglas and Northrop.
McDonnell Douglas has been acquired by Boeing, and subsequent Super Hornets were all developed by Boeing. Thompson wants to buy back a batch of regular Hornets and upgrade them, which will inevitably involve Boeing.
In the next phase, after acquiring and upgrading these F-5s, he will need to maintain a good relationship with Boeing when advancing the F-18 Advanced Project.
"Then we should have opportunities to cooperate in the future."
Xia Yu said meaningfully.
Without technical data, it's still possible to modify a two-seater, but modifying it into a variable-sweep wing is too difficult, not to mention that this is the first time my hometown has ever encountered this thing.
It is quite necessary to build up technical reserves before the project is officially launched.
Thompson, who was in front of him, was a good middleman. He hoped that his plan to purchase and upgrade F-18s would go smoothly. Dealing with individuals was always easier than cooperating with manufacturers.
"But now, we can talk about another deal."
Xia Yu changed the subject.
"Mr. Sherlock is referring to ammunition."
Thompson was a smart man; if you buy a gun, you need to buy bullets, and if you buy a cannon, you need to buy shells.
"I can include two basic loads of ammunition with each aircraft."
A base of 1350 rounds, multiplied by 2 and then by 6, equals 16,000 rounds.
If it's a 30x173mm shell at a normal price, these 12 rounds are equivalent to one A-10, but for near-expiry ammunition, the price can be driven down very low.
For example, $10 per shot
For roughly the price of a decent .338 sniper round, you can buy a 30mm depleted uranium armor-piercing incendiary round.
Of course, don't ask if shipping is included at this price; it only supports in-store pickup.
"I've seen the news online that your country is going to destroy all PGU-14/B depleted uranium munitions. If I open a 'hazardous materials harmless disposal plant' in Afica, could I take on related business?"
Xia Yu asked sincerely.
"this…"
Thompson was stunned and speechless for a moment; he couldn't believe someone could do that.
Judging from their stance, they probably don't even want to spend 10 yuan; they'd have to pay you back for destroying a single one.
It is precisely because of this kind of business mindset that she was able to accumulate a net worth of over a billion yuan at a young age, unlike others who started their businesses when they were over fifty.
"Is it that difficult? There's no need to keep this highly polluting job in the US. For this reason, Firepower Defense is willing to pay $30 million in public relations fees."
Xia Yu said it quite naturally.
On the surface, he doesn't contribute a single penny and even gives you some money in return, but you still need to understand the intricacies of human relationships behind the scenes.
This 30 million dollar contract corresponds to the harmless disposal of 30 million PGU-14/B depleted uranium armor-piercing rounds. He doesn't care whose pocket the public relations fees end up in; he just wants the ammunition.
The total cost is 1 yuan per item, and I also have to include free shipping to his home!
Public relations expenses
Doesn't that make things much easier?
After careful consideration, Thompson found that the feasibility was indeed very high, and he could even deduct another sum from the congressmen and share in the second installment.
Old Tang is determined to make this extra money; no one can change that.
"It's not difficult at all, not difficult at all. Then it's a deal."
Thompson quickly replied with a smile.
"It's a deal!"
Neither of the two transactions were formalized on paper, but each had its own trump cards and background, so neither was afraid of the other reneging. This is the balance of power in the PMC industry.
But with over 20,000 rounds of ammunition, how many Gau-8 Avenger cannons would be destroyed?
Based on the theoretical lifespan of 140,000 rounds per gun, Xia Yu would need to import more than 200 sets simultaneously, which would be enough to dismantle about 200 A-10 aircraft.
Alternatively, reducing the propellant charge by tens of grams when refurbishing ammunition can also help. Many tactical bloggers who struggle to control their guns during rapid fire use reduced ammunition loads, which also extends the barrel's lifespan.
Every little bit helps, anyway it all sounds like bullshit. Extending the service life to 200,000 rounds would only require dismantling 150 aircraft.
After Tacair and his group had dinner, the Black Hawk from the forward base carried Thompson and his team back to Niger.
The front lines are still very dangerous, especially since things are not peaceful in Kidal today.
The UN peacekeepers, who distributed food in the refugee camps, felt this most deeply.
The elderly, women, and children seemed to be conspiring against each other, and they weren't as enthusiastic about eating as usual.
Did militants from the Coordinating Movement of Azawad infiltrate?
But everyone confirmed that they were not carrying any weapons, so they couldn't cause any damage.
They didn't want to make any big news; they just wanted to escape the troublesome place of Kidal.
It is unclear how these blue-helmeted soldiers reported the situation up the chain of command until they contacted the Germans and the Firepower Defense.
After dinner, Xia Yu, who was about to call his wife and children to chat about everyday things, lost all interest. What on earth were these Tuareg people up to?
"The Cold-Weather Bird crew can go to sleep first. The Glider and I will keep watch. We'll call you if anything happens."
Xia Yu began assigning tasks.
"You meerkats are also in the city. The refugee camp and the temporary camp are only 300 meters apart as the crow flies. If there is a situation, half of the manpower can go there immediately."
"Yes, boss!"
The excitement of making a big deal during the day gradually faded, leaving only vigilance.
At 1 a.m., the time when people are most asleep, a riot broke out in the refugee camp.
"Bang"
A blue-helmeted soldier fired a warning shot, but the riot was not directed at them. Led by hundreds of masked men, tens of thousands of Tuareg refugees poured out of the camp and rushed into the depths of the minefield, where the defenses had not yet been established.
The anti-tank mines that even pickup trucks couldn't detonate wouldn't explode if people stepped on them, so why were they rushing towards the Azawad Coordination Movement?
Hans, who had deliberately stayed awake, immediately contacted Xia Yu.
“We’ll be right there. Wake up, you two. We’ll set off first, and you can follow later.”
Fully fueled and armed, the Deer-Tiger and Fennec Fox took off one after the other, speeding towards Kidal, 20 kilometers away, until they spotted the first armed pickup truck bursting out of the city.
"No, there's no machine gun on the pickup truck, and the people sitting in the back aren't armed."
Thermal imaging doesn't reveal facial expressions clearly, but height and clothing characteristics are still quite obvious; half of the people in the pickup truck's cargo bed are women and children.
Then came the second, the third...
Before the government troops on the perimeter could react, more than a dozen pickup trucks broke through the blockade and disappeared into the vast desert.
Government soldiers found no guns or grenades in the two pickup trucks that were stopped later.
By the time the news reached Xia Yu through the layers of intermediaries, he already understood what tricks the other party was playing.
"The enemy is trying to break through by hiding among civilians. What a brilliant plan. We really can't fire a single shot."
There are capable people in the Azawad Coordination Movement, but bad people among the refugees, which is why tonight's scene unfolded.
"Boss, what should we do?"
Hans hadn't expected the Tuareg to be so cunning, rendering his 120mm main gun useless.
“Let them run. We’ve destroyed at least half of the pickup trucks that Azawad coordinated the movement with in the last two days. If the rest run away, we can only take about 1,000 people with us.”
Xia Yu analyzed calmly.
Don't cry over spilled milk. The enemy used up their last vehicles to escape, and the remaining armed personnel in the city who wanted to replicate tonight's evacuation could only flee on foot, mixed in with the refugees.
This is undoubtedly difficult, and Xia Yu will not allow such tactics to be used again.
The refugee camps could no longer remain in the city. All the remaining refugees had to be moved to village camps. They were not allowed to return to Kidar until all the remaining armed personnel in the city were wiped out and all anti-tank mines were cleared.
Tents, clean water, food, and even basic medical care can be provided, but no assistance can be given to separatist armed groups.
With at least 1,000 elite troops gone, Kidal is relatively easier to defeat, but the overall deployment in the Sahel region is stretched thin.
Because the enemy leader is definitely mixed in with these 1,000 people, it would be easy for him to run all the way to Tinkbatu and snowball his army to four or five thousand.
Jihuo Defense's deployment this time didn't start in a quarter, it's definitely started in half a year. The only good news is that the boss doesn't have to be on the front line all the time, and can take time to do other business.
"Mongoose, once we've completely taken down Kidal, I'll have to retreat. You'll lead the pursuit after that."
Xia Yu explained to Hans.
"What about the instructors' group? Boss, you need to take two people with you."
Hans asked.
"Yes, I plan to bring the fennec fox, the platypus, and the raccoon along with me."
Xia Yu quickly decided on the candidate.
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