Munitions Empire

It's indeed a bit wishful thinking.

The aerial forces of the Great Tang Empire, coordinated with land-based aviation, haven't completely disabled all the airfields of the Mirage Country on the South Island. How can the Laines Empire Navy hope to incapacitate all the airfields on Dragon Island?

They don't even know how many airfields are on Dragon Island, and likewise, they have no idea what kind of monsters are deployed there.

It's important to know that, as the most secretive industrial base of the Great Tang Empire, the fighter jets at Dragon Island's airfield are generally more advanced than the air defense units stationed in Chang'an!

This is not just to scare people. The fighter units on Dragon Island were the first to be equipped with MiG-21 and F4 Phantoms, which have all-weather combat capabilities. Their arsenals are filled with Thunderbolt air-to-air missiles.

To intercept the F15 might be a bit troublesome, but intercepting Sea Spitfire or Sea Hurricane, that's really overkill.

After all, decision-makers in the Laines Empire are unaware of these advanced weapons, so we should forgive their arrogance and recklessness.

Even if it's the Laines Empire, they have already established an almost nationwide radar air defense network. Most aircraft entering or even approaching their airspace are detected, and there's no reason the decision-makers in Laines would think the Great Tang Empire wouldn't have similar equipment.

Since an aerial stealth attack will inevitably be discovered by radar, what's the point in getting close to Dragon Island... As long as they get a ten-minute warning, they'll likely be ready to confront the assault.

The Tang Army planes patrolling over Dragon Island seem sufficient; they'll promptly intercept and shoot down all the carrier-based aircraft of the Laines Empire.

Even if they don't have patrol planes, scrambling a few fighter jets would be enough to give the Laines Empire's carrier aircraft pilots a hard time.

"How can we ensure a successful stealth attack?" The Prime Minister asked this question on behalf of everyone, including Leines I.

"Sea-skimming flight!" Blomayer proposed a seemingly feasible plan: "This greatly reduces radar detection range, shortening the opponent's reaction time!"

"It's difficult! I know! But compared to facing off with the Great Tang Empire's fleet, these difficulties seem trivial, don't they?" he countered, causing everyone to fall into deep thought.

After skipping over the pivotal implementation stage of the plan, Blomayer emphasized the subsequent issues: "Even if the plan succeeds, our actions must be swift! Because the fleets in other regions of the Great Tang Empire will immediately support Dragon Island."

It seems, in his view, that the stealth attack has already succeeded, and what they need to consider next is how to wreak havoc on Dragon Island.

They have no idea how many submarines the Great Tang Empire has patrolling the seas, nor how many destroyers patrol near Dragon Island.

In summary, Blomayer believes that once the port is attacked, sea and air supremacy will be easily gained.

Thus, he calculates reinforcements from enemy forces a thousand miles away: "I think, ultimately, the Great Tang Empire may assemble around two aircraft carriers to counterattack us! This is the most dangerous moment, but... even so, the pressure faced by our naval fleet is only half or even less than half of what was planned."

If according to his calculations, it would constitute a perfect start: he has already sunk two of the Great Tang Empire's aircraft carriers, disabled Dragon Island's airfield, and tens of thousands of elite infantry have landed ashore... The Emperor, having cut the power lines, won big.

"As for land-based airfields, the Tang Empire troops will repair them as soon as possible... So, the initial window of opportunity is not long, about two or three days..." he said, holding up three fingers at the end of his speech.

"Your plan is totally unworkable! It's completely based on the assumption of a successful stealth attack!" The first to oppose was an army general.

Actually, it's obvious that if the navy succeeds in the stealth attack, then it's their turn to land and fight desperately against the Tang Empire's defense forces.

Even without thinking much, one knows that their army lacks this capability: it's a joke, the Tang Empire's army finds cross-sea landings challenging, how could the Laines army perform any better?

Not to mention ensuring that their troops don't get terribly seasick crossing the ocean to reach Dragon Island; that's already a huge problem.

Comparatively speaking, the army seems to be the only sensible faction, as many, including Leines I, were drawn to the grand vision Blomayer painted.

Indeed, heavily damaging the Great Tang Empire Navy's fleet, engulfing Dragon Island... As long as the stealth attack is successful, everything seems logical.

So... what are we waiting for now?

"So, is the specific plan for this already drafted?" Leines I was getting a bit impatient. He was already envisioning the astounded eyes of other monarchs upon learning of his great victory.

Eliminating the main fleet of the Great Tang Empire on the first day of war! How insane and glorious is that?

"I need more aircraft carriers! And as many carrier-based fighter pilots as possible!" Blomayer stated his demand.

Since it is a surprise attack, he must employ as much force as possible in one go. Large aircraft carriers and numerous carrier-based aircraft are evidently the keys to victory.

If the number of carrier aircraft in the first wave can be increased to 200, or even more, Blomayer feels quite optimistic about the operation's feasibility.

Another problem is ensuring that such a large fleet doesn't get detected by the Great Tang Empire's scouting vessels.

That is the real challenge, considering the destroyer surveillance ring, and the submarine perimeter set by the Great Tang Empire are much larger than the radar coverage.

If the fleet is detected early, a surprise attack is out of the question, leading to defeat: the Laines Empire would essentially be serving their entire naval fleet in a gift box to the Great Tang Empire! Operating within the strike radius of land-based fighters and bombers, wouldn't that be suicidal?

But Leines I, who was ready to risk everything, couldn't be bothered with so many details. His mind was now filled with thoughts of how to develop and utilize Dragon Island after his occupation.

Like his confidant Blomayer, he was blinded by that beautiful outcome, instinctively ignoring the complex process in between.

"Find a way... to squeeze more funds and raw materials... launch two more aircraft carriers... the Empire's rise or fall hinges on this." Leines I looked at his Prime Minister, issuing his command, thus making clear his stance in support of the plan.