Elite products are priced like elite products, but they're targeting a motley crew. The Chinese can handle it themselves; why hire a PMC company?
François expressed his understanding, since hiring private military contractors is cheaper than using his own people, and even though Concentrated Firepower's fees are higher, it's still about the same.
Maintaining a stable level is better than seeing casualty figures skyrocket. The acceptable target is no more than double digits, which is inseparable from the assistance of outsourcing companies.
"You will be deployed to Timbuktu by the end of March at the latest. According to intelligence, the Tuareg people have strengthened their military."
The old Buddha said to Xia Yu.
“They know that desert better than we do, and our agents have absolutely no clue how to track down these weapons and equipment.”
The people of the land also have satellites, but unlike the Boko Holy Land, which is inhabited in the forest, the members of the Azawad Coordination Movement are scattered among various Tuareg tribes in the desert.
It's fine to crack down on opposition armed groups, but you have to be careful with the degree of intervention. For example, you can't fire on Tuareg civilians who provide assistance to your targets unless they pick up a gun.
This not only increased the difficulty of the operation, but also made the initial intelligence gathering extremely difficult.
"I heard they had hail."
Xia Yu spoke up.
Opposition forces generally have stronger firepower than extremist groups. Last time, during the Sahel deployment, the concentrated fire defense failed to target the Tuareg. This time, they should be able to experience firsthand what it's like to be bombarded with rockets.
“It wasn’t just hail; they even had several female Hounds. I strongly suspect they dug up Gaddafi’s secret arms depot for his comeback.”
Old Buddha's guess was not unfounded. Right there in Tinkbatu, the government army's camp was mowed down by the old doe.
The Libyan National Army is short of armed helicopters, so even if the Tuareg people had the money to buy equipment, they wouldn't have the channels to source them.
Their equipment, which was far more luxurious than that of their counterparts, was either brought back from Libya six or seven years ago, or they knew the specific location where Colonel Gaddafi buried his weapons.
The reason for making this point clear beforehand wasn't because François was kind-hearted, but because the contract terms would be adjusted in real time according to the combat capabilities of the target. Playing tricks to lower the price was pointless; it was better to be honest from the beginning.
"A doe, huh? That does pose a certain threat to our armored convoy."
Xia Yu stroked his chin and said.
The old Hind's machine guns and cannons couldn't reach it, and its rockets lacked accuracy at a distance, but it could still fire anti-tank missiles.
The early version of the Mi-24's original 9M120 missile had a range similar to the HOT-3, but the later improved 9M120M doubled the range to 8 kilometers.
If the Azawad Coordination Movement has a range of 9m-120m, then even if Xia Yu mounts two portable anti-aircraft missiles on the Red Cheetah turret, it will be useless because the range is simply not enough.
However, concentrated fire defense relies on combined arms operations, which ground forces cannot counter, as their company also has air units!
Both the fennec fox and the old deer tiger can hit the northwest wind. As for drones, whether it is Xia Yu's Sparrowhawk B or Busa's CH-4, they seem to be able to carry only air-to-ground missiles, that is, anti-tank missiles.
How should I put it? There are some features I may not need, but you can't be without them.
It would be great if air-to-air combat missiles were also integrated.
Just then, the second CH-4 from Busa was delivered, and the two could take turns on combat patrols.
Xia Yu will definitely have to write a report based on specific cases to demonstrate the necessity of carrying air-to-air combat missiles on reconnaissance and strike drones.
"Yes, we need to be careful. After they used doe to attack the camp, we urgently called in satellite tracking, but found nothing. These people are very good at disguising themselves."
François reminded him again.
As long as they aren't caught red-handed, satellites are easy to hide from, while armed helicopters can clear out the scaffolding in just a few minutes.
"We will, but we never thought that there would actually be a day when we would use attack helicopters to fight attack helicopters."
Xia Yu's tone was full of emotion, after all, his previous opponents did not have helicopters.
"We'll discuss the specific details of the deployment in March. For now, let's talk about the expected rewards for concentrated fire defense."
After chatting for so long, the old man finally got to the topic that Xia Yu wanted to hear, which was why he came today.
There is still a quarter of preparation time before the official deployment. The details can indeed be discussed slowly, but the payment method must be roughly agreed upon.
This is especially true for companies like Jihuo Defense, which prefer to negotiate cash with employers in third-world countries and barter with employers in developed countries.
"As long as it's not too sensitive equipment, we can negotiate and come up with a solution that everyone can accept."
Using equipment to save on the budget is very real, not to mention that the old man came to power precisely because of cutting military spending.
"Your Excellency, our company is in dire need of a long-endurance field reconnaissance drone. It would be even better if it also had a certain ground attack capability in addition to its long endurance."
Xia Yu said tactfully.
Field reconnaissance drones refer to gasoline-powered drones that take off from catapults and are recovered by parachute or boom.
There are two specific development directions: one is to make the size smaller, like the old magnesium scanning eagle.
Another type is the German Sparrowhawk B, which is a larger version of the Sparrowhawk A. In addition to its reconnaissance function, it can also carry two anti-tank missiles.
For field use, the Sparrowhawk B, with its greater modification potential, is certainly more suitable.
ScanEagle is readily available at a low cost, and placing one on a ship is often more convenient than taking off a helicopter.
As for the reconnaissance and strike drones used on board, they are either rocket-assisted for single use or carried by unmanned helicopters.
In a military-themed movie set in the Red Sea, which was filmed in the first half of this year and has now finished shooting, a fictional disposable drone appeared.
Folding wings and rocket-assisted takeoff from a catapult—these elements make Xia Yu's viewing experience as an anonymous consultant great, but rather unrealistic.
The boom recovery pole might break, and parachute recovery would require another helicopter, so it might as well just use a helicopter directly.
Alternatively, unmanned helicopters that have been tested on real-world platforms could be deployed; the S-100, with a maximum takeoff weight of 200 kg, has a payload of 50 kg.
The problem isn't carrying two anti-tank missiles, it's just that the visual impact isn't that great.
Film and television works, after all, have to compromise more on entertainment value.
"So you need Sparrowhawk B."
François inquired.
"Yes, General, we need a Sparrowhawk B drone."
Xia Yu gave an affirmative answer.
"No problem. Since the Americans delivered the MQ-9 Reaper, we have gradually retired all the Sparrowhawk A-class aircraft and transferred them to several PMC companies for continued use. No one has asked about the Sparrowhawk B-class aircraft yet, but since you need it..."
The old man said he could provide a Sparrowhawk B.
It's because they have fewer and fewer opportunities to use field reconnaissance drones!
At present, the PLA Air Force's drones, like fighter jets, are deployed around airfields, making the Sparrowhawk B's field deployment capabilities increasingly redundant.
But for PMC, a company that can neither afford to buy nor maintain so many reconnaissance and strike drones, this is by no means a waste.
"Anything else? These drones used to be quite expensive, but now they're practically worthless."
François emphasized sincerity, and the price he quoted was about the same as Xia Yu's desired price, since they still needed Jihuo Defense's help.
"Yes, but it's not really related to combat. General, as you know, besides running a military contracting business, I'm also involved in the museum industry and can be considered a collector."
Xia Yu began to lay the groundwork.
"Yes, I understand. Mr. Sherlock, your colorful life is enviable. The invitation your company extended to the Department of Defense was originally intended for my predecessor to accompany the Chief of Naval Staff, but now I am leading the team. We have met in advance."
The old Buddha said with a smile.
The St. Paul was bought by Xia Yu from Pasir Ris, but it was also the Fook Cheong, which belonged to the French, so it was normal for them to attend.
"It's not related to combat. Are you looking to collect some rare equipment?"
"They are quite rare. I have a particular fondness for variable-sweep wing aircraft, so I have collected MiG-23, MiG-27, Su-24, and even an F-14 Tomcat fighter jet."
Xia Yu proactively revealed this news, which was still in the confidential stage.
When François heard about those Soviet-made variable-sweep wing fighters, he remained calm. But this guy could even get his hands on F-14s; how did he manage to outmaneuver those Americans?
Simple bartering is something you can't buy with money directly; this applies to Americans as well as Americans.
"Although your country has never equipped itself with variable-sweep wing fighters, the Mirage IIIG/G8, which set a flight record of Mach 2.35, is still unforgettable."
As a variable-sweep wing fanatic, how could Xia Yu let go of this special Mirage, even if it was just a prototype that wasn't in service?
“I pay close attention to the Air Force’s projects. It seems that there are only two prototypes of the twin-engine G8, and they are not in very good condition.”
"It's good to be rich," the old Buddha said thoughtfully after finishing his remark.
He is an army general, and he knows so much mainly because he is a fan of Dassault.
But he couldn't afford these old things, and he didn't have room to put them at home. Bali, where land is incredibly valuable, is not friendly to collectors.
"It doesn't matter if I'm not in good shape; I just want to satisfy my passion."
As the esteemed owner of the system, Xia Yu can revert to an airworthy state as long as the verification machine is not disassembled to less than 70%, and incidentally reinforce the machine body to convert it into a catapult version.
"I can move forward with that, but an old variable-sweep wing demonstrator is worthless!"
François was getting a little anxious.
These two items combined cost less than 2 million euros, while the labor costs for concentrated fire defense are tens or even hundreds of millions of euros.
"General, please don't worry. You certainly won't be willing to give me such a cheap price for the other fighter jet I want."
Xia Yu picked up the coffee in front of him, which had gone a little cold, took a sip, and said.
"Oh, you guys want to buy a Phantom 2000?"
The old Buddha was somewhat pleased.
Has the opponent finally realized the superiority of the delta wing?
“Well, General, I’m sorry, it’s not the Phantom-2000. I’m more interested in the Phantom-4000.”
Xia Yu's tone was full of apology.
The old man wasn't wrong; he just wanted to sell some unwanted hang gliders.
But since no one wants them, there are other ways to acquire them. Given such a valuable opportunity, Xia Yu naturally wants to acquire some more special models, such as twin-engine delta wings.
This was the only delta-wing fighter jet he was interested in, but unfortunately the project was cut short due to its high price. Some of the research results were used to improve the Rafale, which meant that Dassault's investment of so much money was not wasted.
If the Mirage-4000, the ultimate Mirage, could be reborn on the Foch in São Paulo... no, it should be the Foch, it would definitely reap a crazy harvest of those delta wing loyalists.
This is also the third phase of the F-14's main force, which was reserved after the second phase of maintaining the popularity of the aircraft carrier museum.
Humans are the most fickle creatures on Earth. If you keep giving them new ideas, they won't hesitate to abandon you.
Similarly, Xia Yu can also take the opportunity to satisfy his personal hobbies.
Of all the fighter jets in the entire Phantom family, he was only interested in these two.
However, the variable-sweep wing Mirage IIIG/G8 is fine, but the Mirage 4000, as a twin-engine heavy fighter, even if it takes off with a light load and refuels in the air, the São Paulo's catapult might not be able to launch.
Therefore, the steam catapults need to be replaced in the third phase of the aircraft carrier museum project.
In Xia Yu's plan, this third phase is roughly 10 to 15 years after the São Paulo returns to operation.
By then, the old aircraft carriers will need to be renovated and upgraded, and the catapult system will likely evolve into electromagnetic catapults, skipping the steam stage entirely.
The Americans probably don't have the money to keep up, so they continue to patch up the steam catapults they bought from the Americans.
This is good news for the USS St. Paul. Even if the US doesn't sell its second-hand catapults, they can still source them from the US, which won't affect the S. Paul's mid-life extension.
As for the Mirage-4000, Xia Yu can quickly make some preparations, but if he wants to avoid future problems and allow it to be operated by the private sector, he still needs to rely on his hometown to slowly restore it to an airworthy state.
Because it is a demonstrator, and considering the project's priority, the research, preparation, and modernization will take at least 10 years.
Only by learning from others' strengths can we grow stronger. His project can be considered as taking advantage of others' success. It's good to take things slowly.
"Phantom-4000, you really know your stuff. You've given me a real challenge."
François's eyes widened, and he couldn't help but complain.
There are definitely fewer people who know about the Mirage-4000 than those who know about the Mirage-2000. This twin-engine heavy fighter, which is comparable to the F-15, only had 1+5 prototypes in total (ps: some sources say there were only 2 prototypes, while others say there were 5 pre-production orders from the Air Force. Based on the overall setting of this world, it is 1+5).
The meritorious demonstrator aircraft that Dassault funded and developed himself is now in a museum, while the remaining five ordered by the Air Force were retired after a period of time.
For top players in Earth Online, if the air force cannot form a scale advantage, even the best fighter jets are useless, unlike small countries where a few are enough.
Now, the Mirage-4000s that the Germans have kept sealed away for decades have become Xia Yu's target.
"Just like the F-14, I only need three. The price is negotiable."
For such rare organic types, Xia Yu was prepared to pay a premium, and he was prepared to suffer a huge loss.
“Mr. Sherlock, I cannot agree to your request immediately.”
After a long period of contemplation, the old Buddha finally spoke.
Continue read on readnovelmtl.com