He had his subordinates lead the two to a guest room to rest, but Khartaf himself did not sleep.
He ordered a strong cup of tea and convened his staff to discuss what weapons the National Army urgently needed, in addition to the existing equipment.
"Anti-aircraft vehicles, we need anti-aircraft vehicles. When we launch a full-scale offensive against Tripoli next year, the new batch of Turkic TB-2s will definitely be in place, and there are also increasingly common consumer drones. We need a certain number of anti-aircraft vehicles. The number of Pantsir-S1s is limited, and half of them have been destroyed. Only by purchasing the previous generation of Tunguskas and using them in conjunction with tanks and infantry fighting vehicles can we achieve integrated offense and defense."
The poor performance at the grassroots level does not mean that the middle and upper ranks of the National Army are incompetent. In addition, they have learned as they fight over the past few years and have summarized many lessons from past failures.
"Can't the Tunguska Osros support us?"
Hartaff took off his glasses, rubbed his eyes, and asked his subordinates.
In the East, every family has its own troubles; but in the Middle East and even the North Philippines, whether or not one is dealing with their troubles correctly can be a matter of life and death.
Organizations like the Muslim Brotherhood, which promote theocracy and aim to unify the entire Arab world and even the entire Muslim world, are simply too terrifying for the princes.
What's even more frightening is that they are far less extreme and short-sighted than Ace Ace, so only a few major players identified the other side as a terrorist organization, while other countries mostly remained on the sidelines.
Shate and Grandma tried every means to get Lao Mei to support the National Army and put pressure on Tuerqi. On the other hand, the UAE, which provided money and equipment, was almost ready to get involved personally. Naturally, the support was all-out.
The problem is that Russia provided so much weaponry and equipment to Syria, and now that it's supporting the National Army, they can't just give them a batch of T-62M missiles and call it a day.
“I consulted my old classmate, and Oslo’s military budget is not very tight. They are willing to pay us, but it would be very difficult to give it to us for free.”
This major, a staff officer with experience studying in Russia, saw things very clearly.
North Philippines is the North Philippines of Europe. Oslo cannot intervene in Libya in the same way it intervened in Syria, which is why they use grenadiers for all their personnel.
Not only do they not have to spend any money, they can also make a profit. They can also ask for weapons and equipment; they just need to pay for fake targets.
If you want to get loot without paying, you'd be better off going to a dentist than to Osloth.
“You’re right. We bought the S-300 with our own money, and the Tunguska missiles also cost money. But if Jihuo Defense has them, we can just buy them from them.”
Haltaf also figured this out and prepared to start with middlemen who had stock on hand.
What quantity is appropriate?
"If you have enough funds, you can have two sets; if not, one set will be enough."
The staff officer pondered for a few seconds before answering.
The 30 main battle tanks and 50 infantry fighting vehicles that the general bought will definitely have to be split into double-digit armored assault squads for use.
Equipping each team with one anti-aircraft vehicle is definitely more generous than having one for two teams. In other words, it's only the Tunguska that's available; we simply can't afford to replace it with the Pantsir-S1.
Of course, a cheetah would also work, and the mercenaries we arranged can also solve the operational issues.
However, the Cheetah lacked missiles, or rather, it only had portable anti-aircraft missiles like the Stinger, making its twin 35mm guns too ineffective against the TB-2.
They can drop bombs directly from outside the defense zone. Without brand-new radar and Ahead munitions, it's impossible to defend against them. The disastrous performance of the Turkish version of the Avenger air defense system has already proven this point.
Therefore, specifically for the Libya battlefield, Tunguska is the best choice.
"Then let's buy two sets first. Is there anything else we need to buy?"
"Khartaff continued to ask."
In preparation for next year's all-out offensive, he now needs to draw as many cards as possible.
“We have also lost a lot of our Kaiman mine-resistant ambush protected vehicles and the JAISN35 produced by the UAE. We must replenish the quantity within six months and at least double the scale.”
When facing landmines, the attacking side always suffers more. No matter what country your multi-functional mine-resistant vehicle comes from, it's a consumable item on a high-intensity battlefield.
“You’ve hit the nail on the head. I’ve spoken with the car manufacturer’s CEO, Farhad, and he said that there’s a shortage of engines for the 4x4 version, and production capacity may not be able to keep up.”
Hartaff slapped his forehead, remembering that there was such a thing.
The so-called self-developed and self-produced technology of the UAE is actually just off-the-shelf assembly. The design and technology were purchased from Angkor Watts' RG-35, while the engine was supplied by Caterpillar.
If supplies from that side are not delivered on time, it will directly affect the production of the car factory, and the National Army's needs will not be met.
In this situation, the only option is to purchase a complete vehicle from another brand that is readily available. Therefore, choosing an original RG-35 is a viable alternative.
"No, no, no, we can't leverage any influence from Nanfei, but if we buy CS/VP3..."
At this point, Khartaf paused, having already made up his mind.
"Buy CS/VP3, buy 120 units."
These vehicles can carry 12 people per crew member, and 120 vehicles can transport more than 1,000 elite troops, ensuring the National Army's safe entry into Tripoli.
The second-line pickup truck units have to wait until the other units have finished their charge before they can charge. If they accidentally run over a TM-62M, let alone a pickup truck, even a Hummer would be wiped out in one fell swoop. There is no other possibility.
However, another problem arose that could be considered but not solved: with the armored forces protected by Tunguska, the National Army's elite light infantry could only fend for themselves.
In war, there are always sacrifices, whether it's filling in the gaps or charging into battle to the death.
Even when the US military isn't fighting counterinsurgency operations, it can't escape these two crises. However, military contractors that are small enough but elite enough can effectively avoid these two situations.
The problem is that only Jihuo Defense operates in this way. Even Grenadier, which relies on the Russian military system, cannot achieve this level, let alone other peers who are just picking up scraps.
If Xia Yu hadn't focused its resources on equipment and personnel, it would have been no problem to amass 1,000 full-time employees. However, that would have resulted in a poor number of casualties, and the company's profitability wouldn't have been as strong as it is now.
The museum project is definitely out of the question, but we have enough manpower, so the mining business can still proceed smoothly.
But what makes this concentrated fire defense different from other PMC companies?
Nothing happened that night. The next morning, while Xia Yu and Old Yefu were having a traditional Libya-style breakfast, Khartaf also arrived at the restaurant.
"Gentlemen, it seems you all slept very well last night."
Old Ha, with dark circles under his eyes, said with a smile.
"Yes, General, the temperature in Benghazi is very pleasant at night during this season."
In fact, not only Libya, but the entire Sahel region has been quite comfortable these past few months.
The soldiers also brought breakfast to Lao Ha, and the three of them ate and chatted, continuing their conversation from the previous night.
Grenadier doesn't want junk. 30% of the 60 million, or 18 million USD, will be deposited into their company's account. As previously agreed, the 42 million from Jihuo Defense will be entirely offset by various types of scrap equipment.
However, Xia Yu had to handle the transportation himself. Large items like the An-124, Il-76, and Il-78 aircraft had their wings removed and were transported directly to Mali by land.
Components like the Mi-24A and Pantsir-S1 can be airlifted directly, especially after the other side placed an order for 120 CS/VP3 mine-resistant ambush protected vehicles. The National Army is paying for this themselves, and it's impossible for the UAE to help with delivery, so Xia Yu has to do it himself.
The An-124's cargo hold can fit two rows of five CS/VP3 vehicles, each weighing 15 tons, which is exactly 150 tons. All of them can be delivered in just 12 sorties.
There's nothing we can do about it; the port of Benghazi is under UN supervision. Otherwise, it would be so much easier to have direct sea freight to the port.
But now that the cabin is full, there's no need to return empty, so Xia Yu won't lose out.
As for whether Turkey, which dares to block aircraft carriers, will fire an anti-aircraft missile into the sky over Benghazi, all he can say is that two red F-16 fighter jets from Jihuo Defense will accompany the An-124 to see which version of the F-16 is more powerful.
As for the T-80BV and Weasel S30 aircraft procured by the UAE, Xia Yu naturally chose to deliver them to his grandmother by sea.
Just like the crabs from Yangcheng Lake, no matter where they come from, they taste the same after being rinsed in the pond.
"Oh right, I almost forgot about field air defense, Mr. Sherlock. We also need two Tunguska combined gun and missile air defense systems. Do you have any?"
Finally, as if suddenly remembering something, Hartaff quickly added.
Xia Yu was stunned. Seriously? He hadn't even warmed up his two sets of Tunguska techniques yet, and they were already being targeted.
That makes sense, the Sam-19 Grey Weasel is also a Weasel.
Its performance in actual combat back then wasn't great, but after it was completely retired, it encountered reconnaissance and strike drones and consumer drones, and it has been reborn. How could it not sell well!
It seems he really didn't buy enough. He initially bought a whole bunch of German Cheetahs, but then ran out of cash and only managed to buy two Tunguskas.
No, we need to order more stock later.
There's no need to make a special trip to Oslo anymore. They sold a lot of Tunguska sets back then, and many of them are outdated equipment, nearing retirement.
Why don't you just offer a direct replacement and upgrade?
He bought used goods and sold new cars, killing two birds with one stone, which also gave him a target.
"Of course, two sets cost 42 million, plus two basic loads of missiles."
Xia Yu quoted a price directly.
He bought it for 24 million, but that was the price for only four missiles per vehicle.
We upgraded both systems from 50% new to 70% new, and added 144 more missiles. The original price increased by 18 million, but honestly, it's not expensive at all.
However, the 30mm shells are not included. This thing is not only produced by the Soviet Union, but also by many countries in the Warsaw Pact and those that used Soviet equipment back then. Judging from the number circulating in the arms market, it can be said to be the M43 shell of the machine gun circle.
"Okay, 42 million it is!"
Hartaff agreed to Xia Yu's offer.
Anti-aircraft vehicles are never cheap, especially combined missile and gun systems. 42 million is barely enough to buy 3 Pantsir-S1s, but it can buy 12 Tunguskas and their accompanying ammunition and maintenance vehicles.
Not to mention it's readily available; even with a premium, Lao Ha is willing to buy it, since it's not like he's the one paying for it.
The UAE forces that actually paid for it also felt it was worth it. They regretted giving away so many S1 armors to the National Army. They wished they could have converted them all into Tunguska armors!
“Mr. Yevgeny, this batch of SAM-19s still needs Gna’s assistance in our operations.”
Khartav turned to old Yev and said.
He didn't discuss this deal with Xia Yu separately; it's because they couldn't handle 12 Tunguska tanks on their own and needed to use a ready-to-use force like PMC.
"General, rest assured, leave it to us. My men are all highly skilled."
Old Yev said confidently.
Half of the National Army's S1 armored vehicles were destroyed, but none of their Tunguskas were lost. Different generations of weapons and equipment can achieve results even when in different hands.
There's no way around it; the difference between people is greater than the difference between people and dogs.
"Then I'm relieved. Once we've taken Tripoli, I'll invite you both to a victory celebration."
At that moment, Khartaf seemed to already see himself taking control of the capital and unifying the entire Libya region.
The idea was wonderful, but the reality was cruel. The two bosses of the PMC companies he relied on didn't think much of his ambitions.
If you piss off the Turkish people, they'll get involved themselves. But what about the Nationalist army?
They have many more financial backers, but at most they contribute money and effort; no country can match the level of support that Turkmenistan provides.
Therefore, the National Army was able to gain an advantage in the early stages, but in the later stages it became a waste of time.
The reason why the fire defense team did not enter the site and why the grenadiers did not contribute their efforts was also due to this.
"We look forward to this day coming soon. The peace that is long overdue has been too long for the people of Libya."
Xia Yu still had to say the polite words, even though he didn't believe them.
But it was precisely because he had spent so much time in a war-torn environment that Boss Xia came to understand the preciousness of peace.
However, he will not live to see the day when the National Army launches a full-scale offensive. After fulfilling his contracts with the EU and the UN, Jihuo Defense will withdraw from this war-torn land.
Six months later, only old Yev will lead Gna to become deeply involved in this battle.
After lunch, the two said goodbye and boarded the Fischer to return to Jufra Air Base.
Xia Yu made seven or eight phone calls in Chinese, English, and French on the plane, finally getting the initial coordination for this arms sale to the UAE in place.
In the secondhand equipment sales contract, two Tunguskas cost $42 million, and a young antelope and an old doe cost $32 million.
In addition, there were T-80BV, Marder S30 and supporting ammunition and spare parts, totaling 260 million, generating a total turnover of 334 million US dollars.
This is less than a fraction of the UAE's military budget this year, but it's enough for Xia Yu to live comfortably for half a year.
According to Lao Yefu and most of his peers, his net profit was around $60 million, but the actual net profit was that figure plus another $200 million.
Yes, making 270 million in one go—that's the terrifying power of a cheater.
While the contract for clearing enriched uranium and battlefield remnants appears to have a turnover of 1 billion, the expenses for personnel and equipment deployment over six months, as well as the investigation and handling of confiscated items, account for approximately 70% of the total.
The net profit of 300 million yuan in half a year is not much, but while earning 300 million yuan, Xia Yu also made 200 million yuan from the arms business.
With other sources of income such as spoils of war, it wouldn't be difficult for him to make a profit of 600 million in six months.
Next, invest this money in Mari. Earning 10 times 600 million is a bit of an exaggeration, but earning four or five times that amount is definitely not a problem.
Therefore, next year will be a year of investment. The seeds sown in the desert will bear fruit within 5 years, bringing rich returns to Xiayu.
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