Chapter 155: Flattery and Preparation

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

Soon, Liu Tao received the news that just one day later, at 2 a.m., the Iraqi army dispatched 5 divisions and 2 brigades of ground forces, more than 1,200 tanks, and launched an attack on Persia from the north, middle and south.

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

After all, these are more than 1,200 tanks, and there are not many countries in the world that have so many tanks.

Even China's "Red Dragon Roar" last year only used more than 600 tanks!

The first reaction was the price of oil!

As soon as the news came out, all oil traders began to raise prices crazily, causing the international oil price to immediately break through $40 per barrel.

Liu Tao returned to Panshan Machinery Factory and convened a meeting of the entire factory leadership, requiring full production of weapons and equipment in the future.

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

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

Later, Liu Tao went to Beijing and No. 25 Xiushui North Street, where he sat down with Al, Rashid and others to drink tea and chat about feelings.

"Saddam is a great hero. He will definitely beat the Persians and take back Khuzestan Province!" Liu Tao showed strong confidence in the Iraqi army.

Khuzestan Province, located in western Persia, is the main gathering place for Arabs in Persia. Historically, the province belonged to the Iraqi province of the Ottoman Empire. The Arabs in this area have 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 considered himself a hero of the Arab world. He was eyeing Khuzestan Province and made many public speeches to rescue the Arabs here. One of the important reasons for launching a war against Persia this time was to recover the lost territory and bring it under Iraq's control.

Al smiled and said, "Liu, you are worthy of being a good friend of our Iraq. You will definitely receive our Iraqi friendship."

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

"It would be great if your self-propelled anti-aircraft guns and tanks could be delivered earlier." Rashid said, "It only takes a week to end the war."

"In a month at most, we can defeat Persia and let the Persians face the reality. Their combat effectiveness has declined sharply and they are under blockade. They are definitely far from our opponents. If they do not agree to our conditions, let alone Khuzestan Province, it is not impossible for the country to be destroyed!" Al said.

Al and Rashid showed very strong self-confidence.

However, the Iraqi army is full of martial virtues. In recent years, it has been continuously strengthening the army and spending a lot of money to purchase weapons and equipment, which makes the Iraqi army have a very strong army. At least in terms of armored strength, from the paper data, it is definitely the world's fourth largest military power, or even the world's third largest military power.

The Iraqi army has millions of 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 background left by the Pahlavi dynasty, it has more than 1,700 American and British tanks, 80 ships, more than 500 aircraft, and even advanced third-generation fighter jets like the F14 'Panda'. However, the outstanding officers who were originally loyal to the royal family in the Persian army were purged, and the overall quality of the army dropped sharply. The internal rectification of the army and the serious lack of American equipment parts have greatly affected Persia's once powerful military power.

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

This point is also vividly reflected in the battlefield situation in the past few days. The Iraqi army's offensive is like a tide, and the Persian ground forces are constantly retreating, and they can't stop the Iraqi army's fierce attack.

Al and Rashid can't be confident or optimistic, because their strength does not allow it!

Liu Tao smiled in his heart. It was too early to say victory now!

No one expected that the Persians only took one month to stop the Iraqi army's full-scale attack.

"My friend, as long as you need weapons and ammunition, tell me at any time. Our arsenal is open to you." Liu Tao said.

Iraq may not purchase it now, but he has to show his attitude.

Attitude is often more important than anything else.

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

Liu Tao believes that this day will not be 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 first!" Al smiled.

The Iraqi army prefers Soviet-made weapons and equipment. There are more than 2,700 Soviet tanks alone. If you purchase ammunition from the Soviet Union, the price is high, and you often have to agree to some conditions. It is different from purchasing from China. The price is much lower, and there are no such conditions, and the delivery is also very fast.

Who would not be happy to save some money?

However, Al does not think that the Iraqi army needs to purchase weapons and ammunition now, because the pre-war preparations are enough to support it until defeating Persia and ending 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 Al 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 so huge that 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.