The rise of a great power: starting with military industry

Libya, capital Tripoli.

Tripoli, the capital of Libya, is located on the edge of the northwestern desert of Libya and on the Mediterranean coast. It is Libya's main city, main port, and main commercial and manufacturing center.

Libya has a population of about 600 million, of which Tripoli has 150 million, accounting for 25%.

This ancient city with a long history of more than 2700 years has been a trade center and strategic location since ancient times. It is also the lifeline of Libya.

During the Libyan War, the United States relied on air strikes to almost reduce the city to ruins.

It took the Libyan people more than ten years to rebuild the city.

The city looks very new, but the buildings are very Islamic in style, and the city also looks very clean.

Since the sharp rise in energy prices in 2001, relying on abundant oil and natural gas and the huge income brought by large-scale oil and natural gas exports, Libya has not only repaid all its foreign debts, but also its foreign exchange reserves have reached a record high.

Libya's foreign exchange reserves include 300 tons of gold reserves, 50 billion US dollars, 100 billion euros and 800 billion RMB.

This is just the last few years, when Libya has increased its investment in military construction, with military spending hitting new highs and spending a large amount of RMB. Otherwise, Libya's foreign exchange reserves would be even greater.

The huge income from oil and natural gas allowed Gaddafi to once again implement a high social welfare system in Libya. Medical care, education, and housing are all free, truly free.

In order to win over Europe, Libya is constantly showing goodwill to Europe, especially to France and Germany, through Russia.

As for Britain, Libya is full of hostility.

Because during the Libyan War, in addition to the United States, Britain also bombed Libya.

When Gaddafi learned that the seventh Middle East war had broken out, he couldn't help but secretly breathe a sigh of relief.

Prior to this, the United States had been constantly expressing a tough stance toward Libya and mobilizing public opinion for the Libyan war. However, now that the seventh Middle East war has broken out, the United States does not have the energy to launch another war in Libya in the short term.

Although he hated the United States, Gaddafi was still very clear about how powerful the United States was.

Otherwise, Gaddafi would not have allowed Russia's Caspian Fleet squadron to be stationed at the Libyan naval base for a long time.

This Russian fleet is also known as the Mediterranean Fleet.

This Russian Mediterranean Fleet has a total of 6 people, including 18 missile nuclear submarines, 17 nuclear attack submarines, 14 conventional-powered submarines, 4 missile cruisers, 10 missile destroyers, 40 missile frigates, nearly 400 other types of ships, and 177 fleet aviation aircraft.

To be honest, when the reformers and conservatives in the Soviet Union suddenly parted ways, even Gaddafi was dumbfounded.

But fortunately, the world situation has changed.

Gaddafi hummed a song and set off for the military port.

At this time, the military port was carrying out transportation.

These are the 'Aegis-0' and 'Aegis-1' air defense missile systems purchased by Gaddafi.

Gaddafi had used SAM air defense missiles and S300 air defense missiles in the past, and he knew very well which of the two air defense missiles was better.

With the arrival of this batch of goods, Libya will have 20 battalions of 'Aegis-0' air defense missile systems and 20 battalions of 'Aegis-1' air defense missile systems, which will greatly enhance Libya's air defense capabilities.

Libya, which had suffered heavy losses from the US bombing, can be said to be the country that attaches the most importance to the construction of air defense forces in the world. Even when the US announced that it would attack Libya, Gaddafi was already preparing, and he transferred all the gold reserves and foreign exchange out of Libya.

Once the United States launches a war in Libya, even if Libya is defeated, it can still make a comeback with these riches and take back Libya.

Of course, that is the worst.

Unless he had to, Gaddafi had never thought of leaving Libya.

Because Libya is his territory and he is supreme in Libya.

Without Libya, his status and influence would plummet.

"Chen, welcome to beautiful Tripoli!" Gaddafi greeted a middle-aged man with a smile.

This middle-aged man has tanned skin, is about 170cm tall, has strong muscles, and has a strong military style, making him look tough.

Chen Ming, one of the first members of the "Wolf Warrior" special forces, has won numerous military exploits. He has served as the captain of the special forces squad, the captain of the special forces squadron, and the captain of the special forces battalion. He chose to retire from the special forces in 1995. He did not choose to return to ordinary life, but chose to be a mercenary and join a mercenary group.

Currently, Chen Ming manages as many as 30 mercenary groups spread across North Africa.

Among them is a mercenary group that has been stationed in Libya for a long time.

When Chen Ming arrived in Tripoli, Libya in 1995, he was warmly welcomed by Gaddafi. The two had known each other for ten years and could be considered old friends.

Chen Ming had returned to China before, and this time the ship was carrying this batch of goods. Chen Ming had just finished his home visit leave and came to Libya on the ship.

Chen Ming smiled and said, "Omar, this batch of goods has been shipped smoothly and delivered to you three months ahead of the agreed time!"

"Yes, I have always believed in your efficiency and credibility!" Gaddafi nodded and praised: "I will treat you to a good drink this time!"

Chen Ming smiled and said, "You can't drink this wine until next time. Do I have to leave?"

"Oh? You're being transferred? Where?" Gaddafi asked curiously. "Of course, if it's inconvenient, don't tell me."

Chen Ming waved his hand and said, "It's not inconvenient, I just need to go to Algeria to deal with some things there."

Gaddafi's heart moved.

Algeria and Libya are adjacent to each other. Algeria has a land area of ​​238.17 million square kilometers, making it the largest country in Africa, with a population of 3000 million. Algeria is rich in oil and natural gas, with proven reserves of 13.4 billion tons of oil and 2.37 trillion cubic meters of natural gas.

Oil and natural gas are the mainstay of Algeria's national economy.

Algeria exports natural gas to Europe through the Algeria-Europe Gas Pipeline, the Algeria-West Gas Pipeline, the Trans-Mediterranean Gas Pipeline and the Algeria-Italy Gas Pipeline, supplying 700 billion cubic meters of natural gas to Europe every year.

Together with liquefied natural gas, at least 1000 billion cubic meters of natural gas is supplied to Europe every year through shipping. In terms of oil exports, at least 7.3 million barrels of oil are exported to Europe every year, and 200 million barrels of oil are provided to Europe almost every day.

It is precisely relying on oil and natural gas exports that Algeria ranks among the top four economies in Africa.

If it weren't for the previous African wars that led to a large influx of refugees into Algeria and the outbreak of conflicts within Algeria, Algeria's situation would be much better than it is now, and it might even have become a high-income country.

And Algeria has mercenaries!
Gaddafi is naturally aware of this. (End of this chapter)