.In the afternoon, Mu Haoyang was preparing to go home early.

After returning from Pakistan, he had "severely passed by his house and was out of the way" and had been busy dealing with fleet operations. Since the war could not be fought for a while, there was no need to worry too much.

Before leaving the office, Huang Zhibo called.

When Mu Haoyang rushed over, Li Guoqiang was also in Huang Zhibo's office.

"What, is it easy?"

"Mr. Huang, what you said..."

"I know what you are thinking. The Japanese Navy cannot use its strength, and India dare not act rashly. The threat of war has passed. You can go home to hold your wife and coax your children." Huang Zhibo smiled and shook his head, saying, "This is the most ideal result, but the facts are often very different from their ideals."

"What's the meaning?"

"Old Li, please tell me." Huang Zhibo raised his legs and lit a cigarette.

"We have received inside information that Japan has made a commitment to India to send a fleet to the exercise, and the original plan has not changed."

"What?" Mu Haoyang was stunned for a moment and said, "Can the Akagi still go to sea?"

"The absence of Akagi does not mean there is no fleet." Li Guoqiang was very steady. "During the explosion, only one destroyer was implicated, and other warships in the battle group of Akagi aircraft carrier were not affected. At least two cruisers, one destroyer and four frigates were able to go out to sea."

"What's the use of this?"

Li Guoqiang smiled and did not rush to express his opinion.

"Only escort warships and no aircraft carriers, the Japanese fleet cannot fight against us at all." Mu Haoyang paused for a moment and said, "Of course, these warships may be incorporated into the Indian Navy's aircraft carrier battle group and fight side by side with Indian warships, but it is impossible to improve the combat capabilities of the Indian Navy."

"It's true. What India needs most is an aircraft carrier." Huang Zhibo smiled and looked at Li Guoqiang.

"The absence of the Akagi does not mean that Japan does not have an aircraft carrier."

"this……"

"Of course, what I'm talking about is not an aircraft carrier that is still being designed, but an existing aircraft carrier. To be precise, they are two large amphibious assault ships of the Xianghe class."

Mu Haoyang was stunned, and then he remembered that the Japanese Navy had this thing.

The "Shoka" and "Ruikawa" are "emergency products" produced by Japan before the "Hyuga" class large helicopter destroyer. In name, these two warships are amphibious landing ships. Even if they have aviation combat capabilities, they can only be regarded as amphibious assault ships. In fact, after replacing the mission module, the two warships have very good aviation combat capabilities and can be regarded as small aircraft carriers.

When designing, the Japanese Navy required aviation combat capabilities.

Affected by political factors, at the beginning, the Japanese Navy did not classify the "Shokawa" class as a small aircraft carrier, but instead included it in the ranks of amphibious warships. However, when designing, the Japanese Navy made a move and adopted the mission module first launched on the coastal combat ship.

Equipped with amphibious combat mission modules, they are amphibious warships. Equipped with aviation combat modules, they are small aircraft carriers.

This design method is not new. On the LHA6 amphibious assault ship, the US military has adopted a similar method, that is, when necessary, it can be quickly converted into a small aircraft carrier with sea-making and air-making combat capabilities and supplemented into the aircraft carrier battle group.

Because the construction of the Akagi-Cheng, over the years, the Shohe and Ruihe have played the role of amphibious assault ships.

If the mission module is replaced, this kind of warship can carry at least twenty-four F-35bs and twelve helicopters.

In terms of strike capabilities alone, it has surpassed the small aircraft carriers of other countries.

Mu Haoyang breathed a sigh of relief and asked Li Guoqiang: "When will these two warships set sail?"

"In half a month."

"So fast?"

"The mission module is ready-made, and the Japanese Maritime Self-Defense Force has already purchased the F-35b. Although there are only 30, it is enough to pose a threat to us. According to my estimate, these two warships will be incorporated into the Indian Navy fleet, mainly responsible for anti-submarine and sea strikes."

“In other words, India will still take risks?”

Li Guoqiang nodded and said, "As long as Japan wants, it can also use the carrier-based fighter jet of the Akagi to enhance the combat capabilities of the Indian aviation force."

“How likely is it?”

"Very big." Li Guoqiang lit a cigarette, took two sips, and said, "Because Japan initially planned to build two Akagi-class aircraft carriers, when forming a carrier-based aviation force, it purchased the equipment of two aviation corps at one time. According to the information obtained before, if we send troops to the Indian Ocean, Japan will dispatch the second carrier-based aviation corps to fight on the Virat."

Mu Haoyang frowned and said nothing.

This was also under his expectations, because the F-35i purchased by India is mainly provided to the Air Force, and the main equipment of the naval carrier-based aviation is the mig-29m purchased from Russia more than ten years ago and the domestic "Glorious" fighter jets purchased for the "Verat" will not be delivered until the end of the year at the earliest. Therefore, if the war begins in July, the "Verat" will not have no carrier-based fighter jets available.

The only solution is to carry Japanese carrier-based fighter jets.

"When will Japan's fighter jets fly to India?"

"I don't know yet, but it won't be too early. Although there are joint military exercises to cover my eyes, dispatching ship-based aviation is not a trivial matter. If you are too hasty, Japan will encounter political trouble."

"In other words, after the war begins, will these fighter jets set off from Japan?"

Li Guoqiang nodded and said, "The possibility is very high. According to our judgment, after these fighters take off, they will perform their first aerial refueling in the northern part of the Philippines and then fly to the Strait of Malacca via the South China Sea. If our aircraft carrier battle group has entered the South China Sea, it is possible to enter the Indian Ocean from the Isthmus of Kra and will not go to the Strait of Malacca. Subsequently, a second aerial refueling will be conducted in the eastern part of the Andaman Sea. If the 'Verat' is still in Visakhapatnam, the fighter will fly to India's naval aviation base. If the aircraft carrier has already gone to sea, it will land directly on the aircraft carrier. What will happen is determined by our actions."

“It’s complicated, but it’s also very sudden.”

"The Japanese Navy is equipped with the standard version of the F-35c. Even without the secondary fuel tank, the maximum transition distance can reach 3,500 kilometers. If the secondary fuel tank is carried in the internal bullet bay, it can reach more than 4,500 kilometers. Two air refueling is enough to ensure that these fighters reach their destination."

"Maybe, I also carried weapons and ammunition."

Li Guoqiang nodded and said, "This is a factor that must be considered during combat. We will closely monitor the every move of the Japanese Navy aviation."

"If everything goes well, when will the war break out?"

"The first day of the military exercise."

"Yeah?"

Li Guoqiang smiled and said, "We have received the exact information, to be precise, the combat plan jointly formulated by India and Japan."

"It just seems that the exercise cannot be carried out on time."

"It is true. Even if everything goes well, the fleet composed of the 'Shokhe' and 'Ruihe' can only enter the Indian Ocean around July 30th."

Mu Haoyang nodded, and this was what he thought of.

"So, what are you going to fight?" Huang Zhibo spoke.

"At present it seems that there is no need to intercept the Japanese fleet." Mu Haoyang paused for a moment and said, "In addition to the fact that the threat of the two small aircraft carriers is not too great, it is also related to political factors. If we actively intercept the Japanese fleet, we will start war with Japan first."

"Are you sure?"

"There must be a certainty, it depends on how to fight."

"You are the one who decides these. After the combat plan is formulated, just give it a look." Huang Zhibo knocked on the table. "I just want to emphasize one thing. Don't let the Japanese fleet go when attacking the Indian fleet. Since Japan dares to fight against us, we must give it some color."

Mu Haoyang smiled, feeling that there was no need to emphasize this issue.

"How are the staff arrangements at the headquarters?"

"The main personnel have been confirmed. For other personnel arrangements, I will let Yang Yufang, Zhou Yusheng and Zhang Yuting be responsible for them. They are more aware of the situation of grassroots officers and soldiers."

"Okay, I'll be relieved when you do things." Huang Zhibo smiled and said, "If you have time, go and talk to Lao Teng. His suggestions must be valuable."

Mu Haoyang nodded, indicating that he understood Huang Zhibo's meaning.

"Let's just come here today. I won't leave you for dinner. Go back early to accompany your wife and children." Huang Zhibo stood up and said to Li Guoqiang, "Old Li, go with me to find Mr. Lu and Mr. Fu. Since the war is still unavoidable, we have to solve all the problems."

After saying goodbye to Huang Zhibo, Mu Haoyang went home directly.

Huang Zhibo and Li Guoqiang did not have supper at the General Staff, but went to Fu Xiubo's house and had a supper.

The situation was clear at a glance, and the threat of war still existed, but it was delayed for half a month. Fu Xiubo's attitude did not change and he still supported the adoption of proactive military actions. Lu Fenglie did not object. Since the enemy's strength has weakened, he should seize this opportunity.

On the morning of July 9, Mu Haoyang officially began to formulate a combat plan.

The next night, the submarine support team of the East China Sea Fleet left Zhoushan Port, met with the escort warships heading south in the battle group of the "Huangdi" aircraft carrier on the outer sea, and rushed to Yulin Port together.

On this day, Mu Haoyang issued an order to mobilize the Marine Corps.

He did not report to Huang Zhibo immediately, but planned to talk about this matter with Huang Zhibo after coming up with a combat plan.

Li Guoqiang also sent the latest news on this day: The Shochi and the Ruichi have entered the dry dock and are replacing combat modules. The escort warships previously deployed in Yokosuka have left Tokyo Bay and are rushing to Kobe Port to prepare to meet with two small aircraft carriers.

The signs of war could not be more obvious.

On July 12, Mu Haoyang came up with a combat plan. Although it was just a draft and there were still many details to be improved, it was finally a complete combat plan.
Chapter completed!