Empire Conquest-Chapter 903 - 121: Self-Reliance_2

Of course, the premise is that the Liangxia Empire must fulfill its promise to send troops to join the battle.

As for Army officers and soldiers, especially the tankers of the armored forces, there’s simply no discussion.

Don’t forget, Bakistan also has a large number of "ZT-99AGB".

The ZT-99AGB sold to Bakistan is a reduced version, also with a different tank cannon, though it has been replaced with the old 44-caliber 125 mm smoothbore cannon previously used on the ZT-80. Its performance is somewhat inferior to the 48-caliber 125 mm smoothbore cannon on the ZT-99A.

The key point is that Bakistan had already obtained the production license for the 44-caliber 125 mm smoothbore cannon and can produce it independently, and it has stocked a large amount of compatible ammunition.

Obviously, using domestically produced tank cannons is much cheaper than imported ones.

Of course, it also consumes the stockpile of ammunition that is so abundant it will never be fully used.

The main reason, actually, when Bakistan introduced the ZT-99AGB, Fanluo Country did not have a tank that could resist the 44-caliber 125 mm smoothbore cannon, so there was no issue of inadequate firepower, naturally making it unnecessary to spend funds to procure better tank cannons.

Although after this, Fanluo Country procured the "Arjun" F1, developed based on the M1 from the Newland Republic, and subsequently began producing the improved "Arjun" F2, equipped with the same 120 mm tank cannon as the M1A1, significantly enhancing firepower. However, the "Arjun" itself is a reduced version of the M1, and its protective performance cannot compare to the M1, just slightly better than the M60.

It is thus evident that Bakistan’s 44-caliber 125 mm tank cannon is still sufficient.

Of course, even if the mythical "Arjun 2" main battle tank, with a combat weight exceeding 60 tons and protective performance catching up to the M1A2, is successfully developed, Bakistan can still enhance the ZT-99AGB’s firepower to a degree sufficient to destroy it by changing its cannon.

In other respects, the ZT-99AGB is no different from Saudi Arabia’s S-type.

In fact, the "mercenaries" serving in the Saudi Royal Army are all officers and soldiers of the Bakistan Defense Army.

Sending officers and soldiers to serve in the Saudi Royal Army not only improves relations with Saudi Arabia, but also saves a large amount of training expenses.

Additionally, the high salaries offered by Saudi Arabia can improve the lives of Bakistan soldiers.

Now, with the war with Fanluo Country on the verge of breaking out at any time, Bakistan can no way leave its tankers in Saudi Arabia.

Speaking of which, in the Southern Subcontinent battlefield, the main force has always been armored forces.

Although the importance of air strikes was proven in the Boss Bay War, in the Southern Subcontinent, both Bakistan and Fanluo Country place special emphasis on armored forces.

The reason is simple, in the previous two large-scale wars, both Bakistan and Fanluo Country relied on armored forces.

Even in the Second Pa-Fan War, Bakistan relied on the more efficient Air Force to hold off Fanluo Army’s armored flood during the strategic defense phase, and subsequently through high-intensity air strikes forced the Fanluo Army to retreat, ultimately achieving victory in the homeland defense battle. However, compared to the Army armored forces, the Air Force’s role throughout the war was still not prominent enough, lacking decisiveness.

The crux is that Bakistan’s failures in both large-scale wars were due to a lack of strong armored forces.

Without armored forces, or when the armored forces are not strong enough, severely lacking offensive assault capability, Bakistan becomes very passive strategically.

In the early stages of both Pa-Fan Wars, Bakistan’s army was repeatedly breached at the border due to a shortage of armored troops, forcing them to fight on home soil. Even if the invading enemy was eventually defeated, the victory was pyrrhic, and the huge losses incurred were not compensated by victory.

After the Second Pa-Fan War ended, Bakistan began to wholeheartedly develop its armored troops.

In addition, it also adjusted its overall strategy.

Simply put, it replaced defense with offense, attacking into Fanluo Country immediately after the war began, to minimize the losses suffered on home soil.

The core of this tactic is armored troops!

No matter how strong the Air Force is, assault operations rely on armored troops, and only armored troops can quickly break through Fanluo Country’s border defense.

For this reason, the situation of the Saudi Royal Army becomes very awkward.

With 1,000 extremely powerful ZT-99AGS tanks, yet without tankers to drive them charging into battle!

In fact, Ding Zhennan did not wait long.

Shi Shouliang went in for about half an hour, then came out accompanied by the Saudi Crown Prince.

With outsiders present, Ding Zhennan did not ask much.

Only after getting in the car did he inquire about the negotiation situation.

"The King of Saudi Arabia has agreed, the Saudi Royal Army will obey the Alliance Headquarter’s command, only there’s no solution to the personnel issue."

"This... "

"All the weapons and equipment are at our disposal, except we have to arrange the combat personnel."

Ding Zhennan rubbed his forehead vigorously. 𝒻𝘳𝘦𝘦𝘸ℯ𝒷𝘯𝘰𝑣ℯ𝑙.𝘤𝑜𝘮

In fact, this result was completely within his expectations.

Saudi Arabia imports so much military equipment not only as tribute to super hegemony but also just for show, as the Saudi Royal Family never intended to go to war.

But the problem is, where to find people?

"Do you have any plans?"

Ding Zhennan was momentarily stunned, then he looked at Shi Shouliang, as there was clearly another meaning behind Shi Shouliang’s words.

"Received orders yesterday, to report to the Northwest War Zone within half a month."

"Half a month?"

Shi Shouliang nodded, then said: "I will continue to serve as the Alliance Commander, only you’ll command combat operations, so if you have any requirements, inform me as soon as possible."

"Mainly the personnel."

Shi Shouliang sighed with a wry smile, then said: "The problem with the logistics support troops isn’t substantial, the crux lies with the combat troops. Some Bakistan officers and soldiers haven’t returned home, I’ll make a call later to see if they can stay, at least until Baghdad falls."

"There aren’t many left either."

Shi Shouliang nodded and did not respond.

Nearly 200,000 Bakistan soldiers have basically all withdrawn, leaving fewer than 10,000 in Saudi Arabia, among whom are several thousand civilians.

This small number of personnel can’t achieve anything.

After a period of contemplation, Ding Zhennan said: "Forget about Bakistan, after all, the Southern Subcontinent situation could lose control at any moment. Even if those Bakistan officers and soldiers stay, they may not be able to give their utmost. This issue needs to be solved by ourselves."

Shi Shouliang still just nodded.

Although Shi Shouliang is the Alliance Commander, combat operations have always been under Ding Zhennan’s responsibility, and he has little say on the matter.

"My idea is to form an advisory team, primarily by drawing enthusiastic young officers from the 7th Group Army and the 17th Group Army, then arranging staff from the Alliance Headquarter to serve as liaison officers. With military advisors’ assistance, the Saudi Army’s performance shouldn’t be too dismal."

Shi Shouliang furrowed his eyebrows tightly.

"Moreover, Saudi Arabia can’t rely on us forever, after all, the great war has already erupted, and Saudi Arabia needs to play its due role."

"Don’t you think this is wishful thinking?"

Ding Zhennan forced a smile and then said: "That’s why a prerequisite condition is needed."

Shi Shouliang was initially stunned, then glanced at Ding Zhennan.

As early as last month, some staff suggested sending military advisors to command the Saudi Army, but this was rejected by Ding Zhennan.

The reason is: Without soldiers who can fight, no matter how capable the commander, victory cannot be achieved.

"What prerequisite condition?"

"Have the Royal Family involved."

"What?"

"If possible, assign a prince to each combat unit. Preferably down to the company level, if not, must reach battalion level. The key is to have these princes serve as commanders and take direct responsibility for combat outcomes, bearing associated responsibilities."

"This..."

"At the same time, implement an incentive system, at least allowing grassroots officers and soldiers to have fighting spirit. If those princes can be motivated, that would be even better."

"This is not a trivial matter." Shi Shouliang’s expression became very serious because he understood the implications behind this.

"Every new beginning is difficult, but there must be a beginning."

Shi Shouliang quickly pondered for a moment, then nodded and said: "This is indeed a solution, but first, it requires the King’s support. Well, you go back and set up the advisory team first, I’ll find an opportunity to discuss with the King and see if this can be settled."

"The sooner the better."

Shi Shouliang nodded, expressing understanding of Ding Zhennan’s meaning.

With the operation to attack Baghdad about to commence, if the Saudi Royal Army cannot hold its own, it will definitely face many problems in the future.