The rise of great powers: starting from military industry

The Iraqi army mobilized a large number of aircraft to carry out air strikes on 15 cities and air bases including the Persian capital, which marked the outbreak of the Iran-Iraq war.

Soon, Liu Tao received news that just one day later, at 2 o'clock in the morning, the Iraqi army dispatched 5 ground troops, 2 brigades, and more than 1,200 tanks to attack Persia in three directions: north, middle, and south.

The whole world was shocked by this sudden outbreak of war, and was also shocked by the strength of the Iraqi army.

After all, these are more than 1,200 tanks. Not many countries in the world have so many tanks.

Even China’s ‘Red Dragon’s Roar’ last year only used more than 600 tanks!

The first thing to react was the price of oil!

As soon as the news came out, all oil traders began to raise prices wildly, causing international oil prices to immediately exceed 40 US dollars per barrel.

Liu Tao returned to Panshan Machinery Factory and held a factory-wide leadership meeting, demanding that all efforts be made to produce weapons and equipment.

The weapons and equipment produced can be exported to Iraq or Persia, even if the troops do not need so much for re-equipment.

In this era, he is not worried at all that weapons and equipment cannot be sold.

Afterwards, Liu Tao went to the capital and went to No. 25 Xiushui North Street to sit and drink tea with Al, Rashid and others and talk about their relationship.

"Sadam is a great hero. He will definitely beat up the Persians and take back the province of Khuzestan!" Liu Tao showed his confidence in the strength of the Iraqi army.

Khuzestan Province, located in western Persia, is the main gathering place of Arabs in Persia. Historically, the province was once part of the Iraqi province of the Ottoman Empire. The Arabs in this area also resisted Persian rule many times.

This area is also the main oil and grain producing area in Persia and has an important strategic position.

Saddam considers himself a hero in the Arab world. He is eyeing the province of Khuzestan and has made many public speeches to rescue the Arabs here. An important reason for launching the war against Persia this time is to regain the lost territory and incorporate it into Iraq. Under control.

Al smiled and said, "Liu, you are indeed our good friend in Iraq, and you will definitely receive our friendship from Iraq."

"The performance of the weapons you exported to us this time is quite good, and the response from the soldiers has been very good." Rashid said with a smile on his face, "These weapons and equipment have greatly improved the combat effectiveness of our soldiers."

"It would be great if our self-propelled anti-aircraft guns and tanks could be delivered early." Rashid said: "It only takes one week to end the war."

"In a month at most, we can defeat Persia and make the Persians recognize the reality. Now that their combat effectiveness has dropped significantly and they are blocked, they are definitely far from our opponents. If they don't agree to our conditions, let alone Khuzestan. Even if the country is destroyed, it is not impossible!" Al said.

Al and Rashid showed very strong self-confidence.

But yes, the Iraqi army is rich in martial arts. Over the years, it has continued to build a strong army and spent a lot of money to purchase weapons and equipment. This makes the Iraqi army have a very powerful army. At least in terms of armor strength, from paper data, it is definitely the best in the world. The fourth largest military power, and even the third largest military power in the world.

The Iraqi army has one million lions, and its weapons and equipment include nearly 10,000 tanks, 7,500 armored vehicles, more than 3,700 artillery pieces, and more than 700 fighter jets!

Looking back at Persia, the Islamic Revolution in Persia has just overthrown the Pahlavi dynasty. Although it has a rich family legacy left by the Pahlavi dynasty, it has more than 1,700 American and British tanks, 80 ships, more than 500 aircraft, and even like Advanced third-generation fighter jets like the F14 'Panda'. However, the outstanding officers in the Persian army who were originally loyal to the royal family were purged, and the overall quality of the army dropped significantly. Internal purges in the army and a serious shortage of American-made equipment parts all greatly affected Persia's once powerful military strength.

It can be said that for Iraq, Persia is simply a weak chicken.

This point is also clearly reflected in the battlefield situation in the past few days. The Iraqi army's offensive has been overwhelming, and the Persian ground troops have continued to retreat, unable to stop the Iraqi army's onslaught.

Al and Rashid can’t be confident or optimistic, their strength doesn’t allow it!

Liu Tao secretly laughed in his heart, it is too early to say victory now!

It is estimated that no one expected that it only took the Persians a month to block the full-scale attack of the Iraqi army.

"My friends, whenever you need weapons and ammunition, tell me anytime, our arsenal is open to you." Liu Tao said.

Now Iraq may not make any more purchases, but it has to show its attitude.

Attitude is often more important than anything else.

In this way, when people want to purchase weapons and ammunition, they will think of him immediately.

Liu Tao believes that this day is not far away!

"No problem, Liu, you are our best friend and you are very helpful to us. If we need weapons and ammunition, we will contact you as soon as possible!" Al said with a smile.

The Iraqi army prefers Soviet-made weapons and equipment. There are more than 2,700 Soviet tanks alone. If they purchase ammunition from the Soviet Union, not only the price is high, but they often have to agree to some conditions. But it is different from purchasing ammunition from China. The price is high. Much lower and without those conditions, delivery was fast.

Who wouldn’t be happy if you could save some money.

However, Al does not think that the Iraqi army needs to purchase weapons and ammunition now, because the preparations before the war are enough to defeat Persia and end the war!

Everyone was drinking and chatting, and they were having a great time.

He left No. 25, Xiushui North Street, slightly drunk. The driver in Aer specially drove him to the courtyard. Liu Tao twisted a towel and wiped his face to make himself look sober.

It was already dark at this time, Liu Zhenbang and Chen Fang were both there, Chen Fang was cooking, and Liu Zhenbang was watering the flowers.

"How was it? How was the discussion?" Liu Zhenbang asked. He knew that his son was going to No. 25 Xiushui North Street today.

Liu Tao said: "They are very optimistic and believe that the Persians will soon be unable to bear the pressure and succumb, thus ending the war."

"Isn't that normal? The military strength of the two sides is very different. Persia used to have a strong military, but the army has experienced a great purge and the overall quality of the army has dropped significantly. Our people in the foreign affairs department in Persia are not optimistic about the situation in Persia. ." Liu Zhenbang said.

China and Persia established ambassadorial-level diplomatic relations in 1971. China also has an embassy in Persia, and relevant information was transmitted back to the country as soon as possible.

Liu Zhenbang said: "Some professionals have analyzed that things are not going well in Persia now. In all likelihood, it will not be able to stop Iraq's onslaught. The strength gap between the two sides is too big. The terrain there is suitable for mechanized warfare. How can a human body be able to stop a tank?" Where’s the armored vehicle?”

Liu Zhenbang himself is not optimistic about the future of Persia, because the gap in strength between the two sides is very large. Even Persia has to deploy heavy troops on the border with Afghanistan to prevent polar bears from suddenly marching westward and open up channels to the Arabian Sea and the Persian Gulf.