"Yes, we must first have our own pilots."
Not only Akali, but all the generals present agreed with this.
Pilots can't be created overnight; it requires a significant investment of money and time.
However, most third-world countries do not have pilot training systems and can only select suitable candidates and send them to the countries that purchase the aircraft for training.
The typical delivery cycle for modern aviation equipment is 12 to 36 months, and all Busa can do is select the best from the country's elite university students.
Without a foundation in education, even the best physical fitness is useless.
Back in the day, China was the same. The first generation of pilots were almost all from wealthy families and official families because they had the highest proportion of those who received higher education.
By skipping the foundational training, students can move on to more advanced subjects and reach the level required for hands-on training before the aircraft is delivered.
Xia Yu decided to leave these matters alone and let Akala and his group negotiate with the CACS representatives themselves.
However, the other party seemed quite busy at the moment. In addition to General Busa and the other generals, there was also a group of black men of considerable rank chatting with staff.
"They were from the Sudan Air Force. I haven't been able to understand their Arabic-accented English for all these years."
Meng Qiao, standing next to Xia Yu, complained.
As an army soldier, he was just accompanying someone at the aviation defense exhibition, but the other party successfully reminded him of several of his old classmates.
"Their air force is quite large; are they here also planning to buy L-15Zs?"
Seeing Zambeya's fighter jets parked at the CSC's open-air booth, Monjo continued to speculate.
"I don't think it's the L-15; they're more likely to choose another model."
Xia Yu expressed a different opinion.
Because of his business needs, he wasn't very familiar with the military composition of many countries in Afica, but he knew exactly what kind of equipment they had.
For an air force that has a certain foundation and is not small in scale, there is historical inertia in subsequent equipment procurement.
Only small-scale or non-existent projects can undergo radical transformation; otherwise, one should always try to combine the old and the new.
The Sudanese Air Force is mainly equipped with Soviet and Chinese aircraft, including 20 F-7 (J-7)/MiG-21s.
However, due to improper maintenance and its age, the reliability rate is somewhat low.
This is probably one of the reasons why they plan to buy a new plane!
The number of retired old aircraft is large, and the number of pilots accumulated is also considerable. Getting them to switch to flying other fighter jets is not as simple as an ordinary person changing cars.
Compared to the L-15, the FTC-2000 would be a better fit for them.
Xia Yu had known about this heavily modified export version of the MiG-21 for a long time, but it seemed to have never been sold. Now it looks like Su Danren is interested.
In fact, the FTC-2000 is much cheaper than the L-15, so Busa could buy one or two more if he chooses it.
When it comes to equipment, the best one is the one that suits you best.
If Busa's economy improves, they will be able to support a true third-generation fighter squadron, instead of a training and combat trainer squadron.
"I see. But I'm more interested in their army than their air force."
Monjo changed the subject, saying that the army was what he was good at.
"Who would have thought that the Jingoweid militia would fight their way into a regular army, while Zhongfei's Seleka was just a bunch of loose sand."
It's probably due to the difference in ethnic numbers. In Sudan, 70% of the population is of Arab descent, but in Chungfi, Muslims make up only a minority.
“I think their president is also very creative, integrating an armed group that has been identified as a war criminal by the United Nations into a rapid reaction force, but I just don’t feel something is right.”
Xia Yu also shared her opinion.
“Something’s not right. This peace is just a truce. They’ll start fighting again sooner or later.”
Meng Qiao agreed with Xia Yu's point of view.
They had also done things like integrating local armed forces, but the difference was that they were numerous but small in scale, with each armed force having the strength of a brigade.
The former Jingowede militia of Sudan now has a rapid reaction force of 60,000 to 100,000 people.
This was several times larger than Busa's army; they were incredibly brutal.
"The difference is that the rapid reaction force doesn't have tanks, while the government forces did get a lot of good stuff back in 2012."
At this point, Xia Yu couldn't help but think of his old friend.
"That's right, we shot off the T-72s, but our army can only afford the T-64."
Meng Qiao said with envy, jealousy, and hatred.
After defeating the rebels, their demand for tanks decreased rather than increased, and the main force of the armored forces shifted to mechanized infantry battalions.
Because the tank battalion performed poorly, more than half of the rebels' T-72s were destroyed by concentrated fire from the defenses, not to mention that they were also using T-64s.
The same weapons performed so poorly, and the advent of the quadruple-mounted Kornet Marder infantry fighting vehicle completely changed the operational concepts of the Bosa army.
"The T-64 is good, but the important thing is that it's modernized."
Xia Yu has been keeping an eye on the last remaining batch of T-64B1Ms in Busa.
They can't afford three layers of sharp blades, nor do they need to, but are you sure you don't want a set of Catherine FC thermal imaging night vision goggles?
While the active defense system is unaffordable, it offers a 20% power boost. Aren't you tempted by the newly designed 6TD-2E engine?
With these, old equipment can be given a second life, and taking down an old T-72 with no protection and infrared headlights is as easy as taking down a grandson.
Is the price expensive?
As expected, Montgomery took the bait. After all, the T-64, a devilish weapon for concentrated fire defense, had a proven track record.
Even if no new tanks are purchased, upgrading the existing batch of T-64s would still be a worthwhile investment.
"If it's too expensive, then there's nothing we can do. The Air Force and Army have used up several years' worth of budgets for this equipment procurement."
For Busa right now, affordability is the only thing that matters.
"New parts are definitely very expensive, but we can't get new parts right now. However, we can still get used parts."
After selling dismantled machine parts, they immediately started selling dismantled car parts. No one else has ever done business like this.
"I understand, I understand, but aren't salvaged parts prone to breaking?"
After a knowing look appeared on Meng Qiao's face, he then expressed his concerns directly.
The last batch of T-64B1Ms in Busa was delayed due to the local conflict, and there is no sign of it stopping. On the contrary, a large number of equipment have been destroyed and then ended up on the black market.
He thought that was Xia Yu's source of goods, but it wasn't that complicated.
"It costs 700,000 yuan per vehicle. It is covered by warranty for 3 years if it breaks down. After 3 years, you can pay extra to replace it with a new one."
Xia Yu quoted a price directly and indicated to Meng Qiao that there was no need to worry.
Jihuo Defense never does one-off deals; reputation is what they value most.
"That price is acceptable, but I need to get back to you before I can give you an answer."
Meng Qiao tried to appear calm, but his slightly trembling hands betrayed him.
With only 700,000, he could afford to upgrade an entire company out of his own pocket.
The old tank platform itself isn't valuable; the valuable parts are the large components. Even though Xia Yu used salvaged parts, the price was still very reasonable.
Following the Marder infantry fighting vehicle, the T-64 tank has also become a flagship product of Jihuo Defense.
This time, Xia Yu doesn't need to buy the car body himself; he can directly earn money from modifications and upgrades.
There are more than 20 T-64B1M tanks in Busa, which is more than 1,000, worth nearly 20 million.
It doesn't seem like it makes as much money as the Weasel S30, but the price of the bowl cut is not expensive to begin with.
Even the T-72B3, which has slightly better overall performance than the T-90A, only costs around $1 million to upgrade.
"No rush, I haven't even finished delivering all the S30 weasel trucks to the Keniya people yet!"
Xia Yu waved to Meng Qiao, signaling her to take her time.
"Speaking of which, when Anka graduates and returns home, his scaffolded brigade will definitely need to be filled. Busa's idea is to equip it with similar gear to his battalion and then split it into three battalions."
Meng Qiao revealed some inside information to Xia Yu.
The number of infantry fighting vehicles in the Anka mechanized infantry battalion would be insufficient even by the standards of a major land power, but in the Afica region, it is a fully reinforced battalion.
Expanding into a combined arms brigade inevitably involves splitting up the main force, but fortunately, two-thirds of the original force remains.
"Isn't Obsa out of money?"
Xia Yu asked curiously.
"We don't have money now, but in two or three years, Anka will be back, and then we'll definitely have a budget."
Meng Qiao said that the difficulties were only temporary, and he told Xia Yu this only to prepare him.
There's no problem with Xia Yu. While others have limited production capacity, he has an absolutely large and plentiful supply, providing as much as needed.
"By the way, when is he leaving?"
"This month alone, including Anka, a total of 10 people went, and they are all promising talents."
Of the 10 people Meng Qiao mentioned, all were from the Army; the Air Force personnel hadn't been selected yet!
As for the navy, let's just keep them in check for now!
The investment required by the navy is incomparable to that of the air force and the army; Busa truly has no money.
"Then I'll see him off when we get back."
Xia Yu also had feelings for Xiao Anka, his godson who was not his adopted son but was more like one to him.
Now that he's going abroad to study in China, I'm really going to miss him.
While Xia Yu and Meng Qiao were chatting, Akala also reached a preliminary agreement.
The specific details will be discussed by both sides at that time. In short, this aviation defense exhibition trip was a complete success.
My hometown got orders, and Jihuo Defense is doing well too, including airplanes, tanks, and future infantry fighting vehicles. All together, it's definitely worth half a small target in US dollars.
But if you exchange it for gold, it's only a little over a ton, which doesn't even seem like enough to make a coffin lid!
Hmm, looks like I still need to work harder to make money.
Returning to Busa in a military aircraft, Xia Yu waved goodbye to several generals and then boarded the little antelope that Andrei had come to pick him up.
"Hey, how have you been these past few days, Mynah Glider?"
On the way back, Xia Yu asked over the radio.
"I'm doing alright. I've flown with the shrew twice. Except for not having a certificate, he's officially graduated and can fly solo now."
Andrei talked about Lehmann.
Like Xia Yu, a former excavator driver has made a remarkable transition to helicopter pilot.
However, his main role is still to fly the Weasel S30. He only comes in as a substitute when there is no one else to fly the helicopter.
“Speaking of this, I feel that museums should also have two helicopter pilots.”
Xia Yu said to the second helicopter pilot of Jihuo Defense.
This is what he was thinking: when Jihuo Defense goes on a mission, it's basically all personnel involved, and even if the helicopter is left in Bogo Village, no one comes to fly it.
It was fine before, but once the museum opens for business, helicopters become indispensable for dealing with many emergencies, so hiring more helicopter pilots becomes necessary.
Of course, the official staff will be affiliated with the museum, and since there is no need for combat, the salary will not be too high, just the average level in Afica.
"All you need to know is how to drive the Gazelle."
Andrei asked.
"Let me think, the little antelope can only seat 5 people, there must be a better option."
Xia Yu stroked his chin, pondering as he spoke.
There are indeed better options. Once the São Paulo is delivered, he can choose to print SA316/319 Aloes III helicopters, SA321 Super Frelon helicopters, and AS365 Dolphin helicopters.
More recently, there are the H125M light utility helicopter and the H225M multi-purpose helicopter that Patsy provided.
Compared to the aging Super Étendard, these are the third source of value for the São Paulo.
Super Bumblebee! With this, Xia Yu doesn't need Tao Mi-8 Hippo anymore!
However, the H225M Caracal seems to be more advanced, after all, they dare to sell it for nearly $30 million a unit.
Xia Yu had no idea what the Pasir were thinking when they equipped their aircraft carrier, which cost them tens of millions, with such expensive helicopters.
He suggested printing two Super Hornets instead, since they're produced in large quantities and are quite old.
Unlike the Caracal, which is so new that even the Chinese themselves haven't bought many, how come there's suddenly an extra one in Afica?
Yes, the Super Hornet is also an 8, the 8 of the Z-8.
Leaving aside domestically produced models, many retired Super Frelon helicopters have also found new employment in Afica, with one each assigned to the Firepower Defense and Museum departments, which is not particularly noteworthy.
Of course, what Xia Yu longed for most was Chinook.
The Super Frelon has a maximum takeoff weight of 13 tons and can carry up to 27 to 30 passengers.
However, the 20-ton Chinook can carry up to 50 people and can also lift boats and howitzers.
As a conventional howitzer, the M777 is practically useless except for its light weight, but it can fire the M982 Divine Sword guided projectile.
When air strikes are inconvenient, the importance of ground-guided weapons becomes apparent.
Besides guided artillery shells, guided rockets can do the same thing, but they are not cheap.
Xia Yu has a dream: to bring down the price of precision-guided missiles so that every client can afford them.
"Okay, I know who to ask. You'll have to upgrade (change the model) too."
Andrei stated:
The boss still loves to keep things mysterious.
Since the United States retired all its Super Frelon helicopters in 2010, there is only one country that still has a large number of pilots capable of flying this helicopter.
Alvin and Wang Kai will soon have companions. Hopefully, the newly joined Dolphin will also be able to fly, after all, it is the main model of the hometown!
After a flight of more than two hours, the little antelope finally landed on the helipad in Bogo Village. The commotion startled Mimi, who had just finished drinking milk, and she immediately burrowed into Big Yellow's arms.
Isn't it said that cheetahs love antelopes the most? This cat isn't purebred!
After getting off the plane and having lunch, Xia Yu slept all the way back on the C130-H and is now very energetic.
After eating, he asked Hans for a cup of coffee and then went directly to the museum a few miles from the village.
After the hard decoration was completed, the workers did not all leave; half of them stayed behind to help lay the wire mesh fence.
Once the museum officially opens, the entire area will need to be fenced off.
Xia Yu wasn't worried about tanks running over anyone who accidentally wandered in, but artillery and machine guns of various calibers were indiscriminate.
I spent a long time researching this information, and I found that helicopters are really expensive!
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