Empire Conquest-Chapter 853 - 96: Strategic Contraction (Part 2)

In fact, this is also the key to the persistence of the Newland Air Force in developing heavy strategic bombers.

Heavy strategic bombers like the B-52H and B-1B can carry dozens of anti-ship missiles to attack fleets over 6,000 kilometers away.

This strike range is enough to cover the Howay Islands.

It is apparent that the Newland Navy’s operational plans are also very targeted.

The problem facing the Imperial Authority now is whether to take the initiative or to first stabilize the Fan Flame Ocean.

In fact, Lin Shiping leans more towards the latter.

It’s not that he fears going to war with the Newland Republic, but rather there is currently no absolute certainty of defeating them.

The problem actually lies in the intelligence.

Since the military satellite system was attacked by the West Continent Group, losing about two-thirds of its reconnaissance satellites, the Empire can no longer maintain 24-hour surveillance of the Wangxi Canal. Searching for the Newland Fleet in the vast ocean is even less reliable.

Don’t forget, the Imperial Navy has already abandoned its only naval base in the North Sunset Ocean.

Now, only a few submarines are active in the North Sunset Ocean.

In other words, don’t expect submarines to be assigned scouting missions.

As for the supplementary launch of military satellites, at the current pace, it will take at least 3 months, and at most 4 months, to restore to the pre-war level.

Without knowing where the Newland Fleet is, how can we talk about long-range raids?

Moreover, are 5 carriers enough?

If the task is to go to the Northeast East Ocean, which is the sea area near the western coast of Newland, the first consideration should actually be the strategic bombers of the Newland Air Force.

According to the performance of the 51st Special Mixed Fleet, at least 3 carrier battle groups are needed to have sufficient assurance.

This means waiting for the mothballed carriers to be reactivated and combat-ready before the Imperial Navy has the forces needed to launch an attack.

This isn’t something that can be done in just a few months.

According to the plan submitted by the Navy, it will take at least 1 year to restore the complete operational capability of the first batch of mothballed large carriers.

Considering these factors, Lin Shiping emphasized in his intelligence report that the Newland Republic might enter the war early.

In fact, this is also a hint to Zhou Yongtao.

If the 61st Special Mixed Fleet goes to the Fan Flame Ocean to fill the gaps caused by the damage to the 51st Special Mixed Fleet, then it is hoped to have a decisive battle with the Newland Fleet in the Howay Islands.

In this way, even if only the 41st Special Mixed Fleet is present, there is still a considerable chance of victory.

Once the roles of offense and defense are reversed, the situation will naturally be quite different.

In defensive operations, activities could occur under the cover of the shore-based air force, allowing for attacks from multiple directions with its support.

Even if the Newland Navy sends 5 carriers, their chance of winning would not be high.

To put it plainly, the challenge that the Newland Navy faces in attacking the Howay Islands is essentially the same as what the Imperial Navy faces in attacking the Gu Continent.

Catching the opportunity might lead to a decisive victory.

In fact, as long as a year’s time can be won, it is sufficient.

"What about the Fan Flame Ocean?"

After Zhou Yongtao raised the question, Lin Shiping turned around.

"If these speculations are correct," Zhou Yongtao said, throwing the closed file onto the coffee table in front of him, "then when the Newland Republic enters the war, the Fanluo Country will declare war on us, and our forces over there will not be able to withstand their attack."

"Bakistan’s forces are not that bad, are they?"

After saying this, Lin Shiping elicited a laugh from Zhou Yongtao.

As the director of the Military Intelligence Bureau in charge of military intelligence, not knowing the state of allies is inexcusable!

Of course, Lin Shiping wasn’t unaware; he just used a more tactful way to express his doubts about allies.

"Ultimately, it’s a question of time. As long as we can gain some more time, even just a month, the situation can be very different."

This time, Zhou Yongtao nodded slightly to show he understood the implications of Lin Shiping’s words.

As long as Iraq is defeated, the forces currently deployed at Boss Bay can stabilize the Southern Subcontinent; even if they can’t defeat Fanluo Country, they could withstand the attack.

Because Fanluo Country hasn’t achieved industrialization, hasn’t even crossed the threshold of industrialization, it lacks the capital for a prolonged war of attrition, so as long as the situation can be stabilized, dragging out the time, that direction won’t be a problem, at least not one that drains too much manpower.

The aim is to defend, primarily relying on Bakistan’s forces; what the Empire needs to do is to send over several divisions as a strategic reserve.

Of course, in the initial stages, gaining air supremacy is also necessary.

All things considered, given a strategic blockade is in place, helping Bakistan defeat Fanluo Country doesn’t pose a great challenge militarily.

So how can we get that extra month?

This is the core content of this entire intelligence report.

Sending the 61st Special Mixed Fleet to the Fan Flame Ocean, after experiencing an imminent military threat, the Fanluo Country’s authorities will inevitably demand the Newland Republic to first declare war on the Liangxia Empire and take substantial military action, for instance, launching an attack on the East Ocean, before considering a declaration of war on Liangxia Empire.

If anything, this might still pose a preliminary challenge to Fanluo Country’s entry into the war.

In that case, it would take Newland Navy at least half a month just to deploy troops; including other preparatory work, it would take at least 20 days to complete.

In other words, what the Imperial Navy needs to do is just gain another 10 days.

How to gain it?

By having the 41st Special Mixed Fleet retreat voluntarily, avoiding a decisive battle with the Newland Navy!

The logic is simple too.

As long as the 41st Special Mixed Fleet is still active near the Howay Islands, the Newland Navy would never attack the Howay Islands, and the Newland Republic would not even declare war on the Liangxia Empire before succeeding in a surprise attack, or rather, they would declare war on Liangxia Empire by means of a surprise attack.

In summary, as long as the 41st Special Mixed Fleet is there, there is a good chance that 10 more days can be secured.

Of course, Lin Shiping also emphasized one point.

Under the pressure of the situation, if there’s really no way to find the 41st Special Mixed Fleet, or to secure advantageous conditions for a decisive battle with them, the Newland Republic is very likely to turn its focus onto the Howay Islands, perhaps by first destroying the military facilities there with strategic bombing.

Once the military bases on the Howay Islands are paralyzed, the 41st Special Mixed Fleet would lose its base of support.

This forces the Newland Republic to assault the Howay Islands, engaging in a hard-fought battle.

Even though the Newland Air Force possesses thousands of strategic bombers, it would still require considerable time to destroy the facilities on the islands.

Of course, this would also deplete the operational capacity of the Newland Air Force.

Therefore, the intelligence report also highlighted the need to strengthen the defense deployment of the Howay Islands, especially the air-defense systems.

The Newland Air Force has enough strategic bombers and cruise missiles.

If a conflict starts, the current air-defense systems deployed on the Howay Islands will surely not hold!

However, the core of Lin Shiping’s proposed plan is strategic contraction.

In the context of Newland Republic entering the war, with the Empire’s current state, before completing war mobilization, there is no way to hold the current frontline or control the current sphere of influence. To protect the core area, concessions must be made in secondary directions.

This is a very sensible decision, and only an intelligence officer like Lin Shiping can remain rational.

Previously, military officials like Qin Fenglie never mentioned strategic contraction.

Clearly, this is also the key reason why Lin Shiping is valued.

After contemplating for a while, Zhou Yongtao sighed long.

"Who do you think is the most suitable to command the 41st Special Mixed Fleet?"

Lin Shiping was surprised because the 41st Special Mixed Fleet has its own command cadre and such matters usually don’t concern the Military Intelligence Bureau Director.

"It’s just between us, a private discussion."

Lin Shiping nodded, pondered again, and said, "Has Bai Huawei already gone to Treasure Harbor? I think he’s very suitable."

"He’s in the 31st Special Mixed Fleet. But regarding capability, he is indeed the ideal candidate."

This time, Lin Shiping did not respond, for he understood Zhou Yongtao’s meaning.

Bai Huawei is talented, but too young, and in the eyes of outsiders, he’s seen as Bai Zhizhan’s youngest son, somewhat giving off a "paper general" vibe.

However, Bai Huawei is indeed the most gifted among Bai Zhizhan’s sons.

Moreover, he is currently a Navy Colonel.

"Alright, I’ll think about this matter further."

"If there is any new information, I’ll come to find you."

Zhou Yongtao did not delay further, escorting Lin Shiping out of the study.