588: Chapter 583: Great Pressure 588: Chapter 583: Great Pressure Armed helicopters are great assets, effective against infantry and even more so against tanks.
Those British had brought tanks and armored vehicles, and if Gao Yang hadn’t received intelligence from Justin, the Skull Gang could have suffered a significant loss.
Fortunately, the British didn’t manage to catch them off guard with those tanks.
The British couldn’t achieve an element of surprise, but Gao Yang certainly could.
Just as they hadn’t expected the British to bring in tanks, those British would definitely never anticipate the arrival of armed helicopters.
The only problem was whether the Skull Gang could afford to use helicopters.
“Who will be using them, you or the Skull Gang?
If it’s you, it’s free; I could even gift it to you.
But if it’s the Skull Gang, there’s a base fee of five hundred thousand dollars.
That means regardless of whether they engage in combat or not, it’s this amount.
Then, an additional one hundred thousand dollars for every sortie.
If the helicopter is shot down, they owe me two million dollars.
Alternatively, I could take the risk; each sortie will cost two hundred thousand dollars, and if it’s shot down, the Skull Gang wouldn’t need to worry.
If the usage costs exceed one million dollars, then the base fee doesn’t apply anymore.
You know, I can’t just transport the helicopters there and have the Skull Gang not use them at all, so the base fee is mandatory.
Of course, all the expenses for ammunition and fuel will be borne by you.
As for maintenance and pilot fees, I’ll cover them.
I’ll also pay for the transportation of the helicopters there and back.”
Uriyangko laid out the rental costs for the armed helicopters.
War is a money-burning game.
Gao Yang was truly sensing this saying now.
Sometimes, the effects of deploying heavy equipment are indeed better than using human lives, but the problem is, not everyone can afford this equipment.
Uriyangko had quoted a price for using the helicopters, but upon hearing it, Gao Yang didn’t dare to make a decision on behalf of the Skull Gang, because it was too expensive, whichever way you looked at it.
Gao Yang’s every word could be heard by Maide and the others.
After hearing about the helicopters, they all pricked up their ears.
However, seeing the pained expression on Gao Yang’s face, Abu couldn’t help asking, “What’s up?
Are the helicopters not good?”
Gao Yang shook his head and said, “It’s not that they aren’t good, they’re just too expensive.”
Maide, curious, asked, “How expensive is it?
Can we absolutely not afford it?”
After telling Uriyangko to wait a moment, Gao Yang repeated Uriyangko’s price to everyone, and after hearing it, they all fell silent.
Just one sortie with the helicopter would cost two hundred thousand dollars, not to mention the rockets, machine gun rounds, anti-tank missiles, and of course, the fuel, all of which cost money.
If using the helicopter just once could solve the problem, that would be great, but unfortunately, that was simply not possible.
Gao Yang estimated that over the course of this battle, an Mi-24 deploying ten or so times would be considered few.
However, having an armed helicopter providing fire support in combat alongside infantry would truly be a godsend.
With the Mi-24, the British tanks would no longer be a problem, significantly easing the battle.
The only issue now was whether Maide was willing to spend the money.
As a mercenary who had to participate in combat personally, Gao Yang naturally hoped for the armed helicopter to accompany them in battle.
He had never enjoyed such high-level benefits before.
Maide’s expression changed several times before he finally gritted his teeth and said, “Ask him if he can accept credit.”
Gao Yang immediately turned to Uriyangko and said, “Brother, let me tell you something.
Is it possible to also get credit for the helicopter?”
Uriyangko didn’t hesitate and replied, “No, buddy, the helicopters belong to Grand Ivan, not to me.
I have authority to extend credit for anti-tank missiles to the Skull Gang because that’s within my power.
But with the helicopters, that’s Grand Ivan’s asset.
If it’s for you, I could speak to Grand Ivan and happily deliver it to your hands right away.
But for the Skull Gang, sorry, I have to stick to the rules.”
Gao Yang immediately began to consider reallocating their commission to rent the helicopters.
However, seeing Gao Yang’s expression, Maide knew that getting credit was off the table.
With a wave of his hand, he said, “Ram, forget it, let’s give up on the helicopter.
We can win without it, right?”
Gao Yang could only regretfully say to Uriyangko, “It’s too expensive, we can’t afford to rent it.
Unless the Skull Gang has the money or you’re willing to lower the price, otherwise, we can’t make use of the helicopter.
Um, one question, if we do need a helicopter, how soon can you deliver it?”
After giving it some thought, Uriyangko said, “It will take a day to load the ship, plus the time on the road, and after we get there, we still need to make preparations for ground maintenance and such, it will take at least three days.
At least three days to complete the preparations for combat, that’s the fastest.”
Gao Yang finally had an idea in his heart and replied, “Alright, I understand.
We might also rent helicopters, and I’ll contact you when that happens.
For now, focus on getting the anti-tank missiles over here.”
“Understood, anti-tank missiles are too delicate.
If you’re not in a particular hurry, I wouldn’t arrange an airdrop to avoid any damage.
It will take a day by ship, and you can receive them by tonight.
Of course, if you can’t afford to wait a moment longer, I will arrange for an airdrop immediately.”
Gao Yang thought for a moment and decided there was no need to rush, saying, “Let’s go with sea transport then, one day is no problem.
That’s it, we’ll get in touch if there’s anything.”
After hanging up the phone, Gao Yang helplessly shrugged his shoulders and lamented, “It’s a pity we can’t use helicopters, but even without them, I’m confident we will definitely win.”
Maide smiled and said, “In the future, we will definitely buy our own helicopters, fighter jets.
For now, let’s fight with whatever equipment we have.
Ram, we’re trying to decide when to take back Banda or directly attack Gesale.
Do you have any suggestions?”
Gao Yang pondered for a moment and said, “I’m not too clear on what your overall strategy is, but now, the battle with Gaedale is inevitable.
The British have gotten involved, and their ultimate goal is still the elimination of the Skull Gang, so there’s nothing to say.
If you don’t attack them, they will come to attack you.
Just attack as soon as you’re ready, until you completely crush them.”
Maide laughed and said, “We will definitely fight, but the question is how to fight.
Do you have any ideas?”
Gao Yang shook his head and answered, “I haven’t engaged with them, nor do I understand the situation.
I couldn’t possibly come up with any ideas now.
But, Dagger, do you have any thoughts?”
Jiang Yun considered carefully before speaking gravely, “The main reason we failed to take Gesale this time is the involvement of the British.
Otherwise, those pirates wouldn’t have posed a major threat, even with the Young Party’s people.
Therefore, the key issue is how to defeat the British forces.
I wasn’t on the front line either and can’t provide any targeted suggestions, but no doubt, the Skull Gang’s troops are far less capable than the British.
To overcome a stronger enemy with a weaker force, we can only increase the number of troops in the attack.”
Abu suddenly said, “Those British, they are indeed formidable, sharpshooters, and well-equipped.”
Gao Yang pondered for a moment before suggesting, “Dagger, how about you take command?
Even if you don’t do it personally, you could act as a sort of chief of staff.
I’ll be the face, but you can make the decisions.”
Jiang Yun, who came from the military and held an officer’s rank, had a better ability to command large troops in combat than Gao Yang, who hoped Jiang Yun would assume the overall command.
But to his surprise, Dagger shook his head and said with a bitter smile, “You are mistaken.
To be honest, the special operations on a small scale are also what I studied and excelled at in training, but my ability to command large troop operations is not even as good as yours.
Even in small-scale special operations, I might not be better than you.
Don’t forget, you have much more direct combat experience than I do.
Before going abroad, I never had the chance to participate in real combat.
In fact, even since coming here, I haven’t truly commanded an operation.”
Jiang Yun was correct.
Despite his formal military education, his actual combat experience was not as extensive as Gao Yang’s.
His ability to command small-scale special operations might not even surpass Gao Yang, let alone commanding large troops.
Even if reluctantly pushed into the role, Gao Yang had already led the Skull Gang to capture Bosaso.
For mercenaries, a force of two or three thousand was already an exceptionally large-scale group.
The Satan Mercenary Corps lacked talent capable of commanding large troop operations.
Of course, they didn’t usually need it.
So it seemed Gao Yang had to once again take the lead, preparing to command an army-sized unit of several thousand.
Commanding large troops in battle and a mere dozen soldiers were entirely different propositions.
The capabilities required of a brigade commander and a squad leader were hardly the same.
Moreover, the battle the Skull Gang faced now was different from the one to capture Bosaso.
Back then, they had to cover a few dozen kilometers, get there, and start fighting.
Now, the main base was two hundred kilometers from the combat zone.
It wasn’t enough to just think about the fight.
Logistics, troop marches and deployments, and so on, were all critically important.
Gao Yang had no experience in this area whatsoever.
The idea that some people are born with the ability to command thousands of troops in battle is nonsense, especially in modern warfare.
It is not easy to develop a high-level commander, and although warfare in Somalia may be much simpler, Gao Yang wasn’t interested in leading a typical African war.
A messy assembly on the battlefield, then both sides engaging in a chaotic melee of thousands for hours, each suffering only a few or a dozen casualties before retreating, is a typical African war.
Such absurd battle scenes occur because the commanders are just too inadequate.
The opponents, mainly elite soldiers retired from the British army, numbered nearly three hundred and constituted a force that could play a decisive role and cause significant casualties.
It was unlikely there would be any comical scenario where there’s intense fighting for hours or even days with only a few or a dozen casualties.
No matter what, even if it was like leading ducks to perch, Gao Yang had to command a troop of at least two thousand in battle.
An incompetent general could exhaust his army, and with thousands of lives in his hands, Gao Yang felt immense pressure.
He couldn’t allow himself to lead a poor battle under his command, and he had to win a victory, a significant victory at that.
(To be continued.
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