The rise of a great power: starting with military industry

Chapter 161 Combined Battalion

"Director!"

Li Guofu and others came over and saluted Liu Tao.

Liu Tao also returned a military salute.

Although the Panshan Combined Battalion does not belong to the army now, but to the security force of the Panshan Armed Forces, all the officers and soldiers of the combined battalion are newly retired military personnel. Liu Tao also requires the combined battalion to follow the military rules, and there is no difference between the entire combined battalion and the army.

Military ranks have not yet been restored in China, but they have been restored in the Panshan Combined Battalion.

"Comrade Guofu, this self-propelled anti-aircraft gun will be temporarily placed in your combined battalion so that the soldiers of the tank company can get familiar with it and also test the self-propelled anti-aircraft gun!" said Liu Tao.

"Yes, Director!" Li Guofu replied.

Everyone else had a look of joy on their faces.

According to the organization of the combined battalion, there are three infantry companies, two tank companies, one artillery company, one combat support company, and one logistics support company.

There are enough soldiers, but the weapons and equipment are far from enough.

Three infantry companies are still short of infantry fighting vehicles. Two tank companies should each be equipped with ten tanks and one self-propelled anti-aircraft gun, but now they are only equipped with two tanks and two self-propelled anti-aircraft guns. The artillery company only has "Qianwei" anti-aircraft missiles, and lacks 120mm self-propelled howitzers, anti-tank missiles, and rockets. The combat support company still does not have a comprehensive mine-clearing vehicle, and there is no sign of the mobile equipment mentioned by Liu Tao.

However, it is an indisputable fact that the weapons and equipment of the combined battalions are constantly increasing and improving.

Moreover, as time went by, Li Guofu and others discovered that the idea of ​​a combined battalion mentioned by Liu Tao was not unfeasible, but rather feasible.

It's just very expensive.

Although it is feasible in theory, it faces many difficulties in practice.

For example, the current bridges are too heavy for self-propelled anti-aircraft guns to pass through. Most bridges will be crushed by the weight of self-propelled anti-aircraft guns, not to mention tanks.

In other words, if a war breaks out, self-propelled anti-aircraft guns and tanks can pass through small rivers with shallow water and little silt. If they encounter large rivers with deep water or relatively deep silt, they must build a special military steel bridge that is wide enough for passage.

As for today's cement roads, they will all be crushed once they are run over by self-propelled anti-aircraft guns or tanks, even if they are equipped with rubber tracks.

It was also through research and discussion that Liu Tao understood why Soviet tanks were often smaller, with the T72 tank weighing only about 40 tons, while the Leopard 2 tank weighs 55 to 62 tons.

Because the Soviet Union considered the steel torrent to sweep across Europe in a short period of time, tanks needed to pass through most of the bridges in European countries.

The Type 80 tank developed by Liu Tao is advanced, but it is only suitable for the north and not the south. Because the south is densely covered with water networks, most of the bridges in the south cannot bear the weight of the Type 80 tank, even the export version!
What is suitable for the south is a medium tank of about 30 tons, a light tank of 10 to 20 tons, or an amphibious tank.

Everyone came to the conference room. There were maps hanging on the walls. There was even a map of Iran and Iraq with arrows marked on it.

This is a study of the Iran-Iraq War using limited intelligence.

Every war is worth studying, whether for the two parties involved or for other countries watching.

For the combined battalion, it is also a rare learning opportunity.

On the other wall was a map of Yunnan Province and Annan, with densely packed bridges, rivers, roads, and highlands marked on it. Liu Tao looked at Koulin Mountain, Lao Mountain, and Zheyin Mountain.

Koulin Mountain is located in the south of Mengtong Township, Masupo County, Yunnan Province, 29 kilometers away from the county seat, with an altitude of 1705 meters and an area of ​​about 7 square kilometers. It is the boundary mountain between China and Annan. It is named "Koulin Mountain" because of its vegetation of bamboo forests and shrubs and abundant orchids. Koulin Mountain is rugged and dangerous, with steep slopes and narrow roads. It is a strategic location and consists of three highlands.

Laoshan, located west of Tianbao Town, Masupo County, Yunnan Province, is the main passage between China and Annan. It mainly includes Laoshan, 662.6 Highland, Balihe East Mountain and other border areas. The main peak of Laoshan is 1422.2 meters above sea level. It is the commanding height that controls the border passage and is of great importance. Occupying Laoshan, you can see a vast area of ​​25 kilometers deep in China to the north, overlook Annan Laozhai, Qingshui to the south to the 27-kilometer area of ​​the capital of Hejiang Province, block the main passages and ports from Masupo County, China to Hejiang Province, Annan to the east, and monitor the key points of Koulin Mountain to the west. It is the throat of Hejiang City in the northwest of Annan to Yunnan Province, China, and its strategic position is extremely important.

Zheyin Mountain is located on the edge of Yangwan Township, Masupo County, Yunnan Province, 79 kilometers away from the county seat, with an altitude of more than 1200 meters.

It is obvious that the combined forces battalion is also constantly studying the border.

"So, if a battle breaks out one day and we need the support of the combined battalion, how do you plan to fight?" Liu Tao pointed to the map.

Liu Tao knows a lot about the border of Yunnan Province.

After the "Red Dragon's Roar" ended, the troops withdrew back to the territory, but Annan was unwilling to accept defeat and took the opportunity to occupy 51 high ground in Koulin Mountain, Laoshan Mountain and Zheyin Mountain.

Before this, China had repeatedly suggested that Annan hold border negotiations to resolve the dispute between the two countries. However, Annan accepted China's suggestions on the surface, but secretly stepped up its military expansion and preparations for war, continued to invade key points in the border areas, and harassed China's military trade in the border areas.

Liu Tao knew very well that these places must be taken back, and it would not be long before he would have to fight the monkeys again.

However, the commotion will not be as big as last year's "Roar of the Red Dragon", and it is likely that border defense troops will be dispatched.

Liu Tao had an idea in mind, which was to let the combined battalion go to provide support and experience the baptism of war.

The soldiers of the combined battalion had all been baptized by last year's "Red Dragon's Roar", and some of them had even been awarded military honors. However, as a newly formed armed force, the combined battalion had not experienced the baptism of war.

The true measure of a troop's combat effectiveness is its experience on the battlefield and the test of war.

In order to reduce bloodshed on the battlefield, it is natural to train more in normal times.

Even a few days ago, they took a mountain nearby and conducted a simulated battle.

Li Fuguo was stunned. He had thought about this question before, but this was the first time Liu Tao asked him this.

As a mid-level commander and the head of the main regiment, Li Fuguo naturally discussed the matter with others.

Li Fuguo responded immediately and even drew on the map.

Liu Tao nodded slightly. He had to admit that Li Fuguo was indeed a militarily capable commander. He was a hundred times stronger than Liu Tao in commanding wars.

At least Liu Tao didn't understand many of the military professional terms that Li Fuguo mentioned.

Liu Tao only knew how to let the soldiers use the most powerful weapons and equipment to enhance their firepower and improve their combat effectiveness.

For example, the camouflage uniforms worn by the soldiers of the combined battalion were specially designed by Liu Tao, and the fabrics were also made of good quality fabrics. The military shoes were also of good quality. The helmets worn by the soldiers of the combined battalion had much better bulletproof performance than the helmets currently used by the troops. Everyone wore a bulletproof vest specially made by Panshan Machinery Factory.

It might be a bit of an exaggeration to say that they are armed to the teeth, but they are definitely much stronger than the main regiment.

(End of this chapter)