Chapter 132: Needing Heavy Combat Aircraft

  No one spoke, if the high-ranking officials of the military region were punished, it would dishearten the soldiers. If they were rewarded, similar incidents would continue to happen. Pakistan was not yet prepared for air combat with Soviet personnel.

  It's up to the president now.

  Ziya-Hak turned his head back to the window, and at this time two J-6s had already flown to the side of the helicopter, starting to escort it. Only such a medium-to-low altitude dogfighting performance excellent J-6 can escort the helicopter, other planes are too fast.

  As the President remained silent, calm was restored in the cabin, with only the roar of the engines.

  In the distance, the White Swan Air Force Base is clearly visible.

  When the helicopter landed on the apron, senior officials of Ba Shu Wa Military Region were waiting at the airport.

  In the distance, there were airport guards on high alert.

  "Welcome President to visit Peshawar Military Region." Musharraf said, "All soldiers of Peshawar Military Region express gratitude to the President."

  "I've just won a battle, I'm here to celebrate with the warriors." Zia-Hak's mouth twitched and his little mustache followed suit, the movement was inexplicably comical.

  The scene was solemn, Muhammad struggled to hold back his laughter as Zia-ul-Haq gave an impromptu speech at the airport to the soldiers celebrating this victory. The pilots, ground crew and guards present could not help but cheer up.

  Zia-ul-Haq seized power through a coup, and the army was his backing. At the same time, he also knew the importance of controlling the army, no matter what time, he firmly grasped the military power, and also made the lower-level soldiers extremely supportive.

  As he listened to the surrounding soldiers cheering "Long live the President", Muhammad finally understood what Zia-ul-Haq had meant. This method, controlling the army was just too suitable.

  Zia-ul-Haq walked to the front of the crowd, shaking hands one by one. When he reached Muhammad's side, he said without any strangeness: "Muhammad, you are our pride of Pakistan, Lion of Panjshir!"

  Even the president knows his own name! Muhhamad was also infected: "Afghanistan is related to our Pakistan's strategic security, I go to Afghanistan to fight, it's what should be done, for our Pakistan, I will move forward!"

  Zia patted Muhammad on the shoulder: "Work hard, I'm watching you, young fellow, young military district chief of staff! When I was your age, I was still fighting in the jungles of Burma, just a small regimental commander."

  "I will definitely work hard." Muhhamad stood up straight, at this moment, he sincerely admired the president. Only those who came from the military could control a country like Pakistan, so the civilian government of Pakistan would always be overthrown by military coups, that's how it was.

  Zia-ul-Haq continued to shake hands with the next person. The Defence Minister, who was following closely behind, warmly shook Muhammad's hand. The President's gesture had already made his attitude clear and Mulkafat knew what to do.

  "Please, Mr. President, come to the military district headquarters, where dinner is prepared for you," Musharraf said. The president came. He must have come to inquire about the air battle, Musharraf had already prepared a report, returned to the headquarters, first prepared lunch, and then reported after eating.

  "Let's eat here with our soldiers," said Zia-ul-Haq. "No need to go back to the headquarters, it's a waste. Our economy in Pakistan is still very poor and our government agencies must practice strict austerity."

  Every word and action of Zia-ul-Haq reflects the behavior that a sober national decision-maker should have. Every soldier looks at him with respect and emotion.

  Zia-ul-Haq arrived at the pilots' mess accompanied by senior government officials.

  In the air force, pilots are direct combatants, while ground crew and base personnel are rear-service personnel. At the same time, as the "pride of heaven", pilots have high requirements, so they also have special canteens, where their daily meals are matched by nutrition experts.

  Entering the pilots' cafeteria, Zia-ul-Haq, like ordinary pilots, took a stainless steel tray for self-service and served himself with several dishes. The senior officials of the Ministry of Defense followed suit.

  Seated in his seat, Zia ul-Haq smiled and waved away the offers of several pilots to give up their seats, eating with them and asking about their well-being.

  "Did you guys go up for today's dogfight?" Zia-Haq said.

  "We all took off, the whole squadron, except for two J-6s that broke down. Fortunately, we had made preparations in advance and each plane was equipped with missiles. If we had to prepare at that moment, I'm afraid it would have been too late." a pilot said.

  Have you made preparations in advance? Zia-ul-Haq continued to ask: "How did you know the Soviet plane was coming?"

  "On the order of the Chief of Staff, after shooting down a Soviet plane in the first aerial battle, in order to prevent retaliation from the Soviets, the Chief of Staff ordered all planes to be ready for combat, even during air training exercises, with live ammunition. Sure enough, several hours later, Soviet planes arrived, and we were already on the scene, training at the time. I heard the sound of Soviet missile locks in my headphones," said the pilot.

  The Chief of Staff's order? Upon hearing this, Zia-Haq raised his head, and the others followed suit, sitting down to eat in the dining hall. Muhammad sat in a corner but clearly heard the pilot's voice, as did everyone else.

  He raised his head again, and coincidentally met Zia-ul-Haq's gaze. Zia-ul-Haq nodded in approval towards Muhammad, while Hallet, who was familiar with the President, knew that he was extremely satisfied with this young man, and would have a bright future ahead of him in the military.

  After dinner, in the conference room of the air force base, Zia-Haq listened to the aerial combat report of the commander of the 15th squadron. At this time, the sky outside was already darkening.

  "This time, the aerial confrontation has shown the prowess of our Pakistan Air Force," Zia-ul-Haq said: "In the past, the Soviets have repeatedly invaded our airspace, and we have been yielding, letting the Soviets become complacent. Now, they dare to use warplanes to bomb our land, we must firmly defend our airspace and shoot down the invading Soviet planes!"

  Zia-ul-Haq clenched his fist and said, completely forgetting that it was he himself who had made the decision to avoid over-stimulating the Soviet Air Force. At the time, he was worried that the Soviets would take advantage of the situation and move south, and even more worried that India would join in and invade together.

  Now it has been tested that the Soviet side is also afraid of conflict with Pakistan, and the resistance organizations within Afghanistan have made the Soviets exhausted.

  The Soviet Union's cross-border bombing was limited to places like Afghan refugee camps, which shows that the Soviets were also trying their best to control the scale of the war and prevent it from expanding.

  "We, the Whitesand Military Region, will resolutely complete the tasks assigned by the President," Musharraf said: "We will do our best to defend our skies."

  "Is there trouble?" Zia-Haq asked.

  "No!" Musaaff replied firmly.

  "Yes!" Just then, a voice came from below.

  Upon hearing this voice, Musa Afandi's heart sank and he silently cursed his luck. He had already figured out that the speaker was none other than Muhammad.

  At this time, it's not about raising difficulties, but making a statement. We need to let the President see our determination to defend our territorial sovereignty. As for those difficulties, we can bring them up later and submit an application to the Cabinet Defense Committee.

  Now, saying that there are difficulties in front of so many people is embarrassing for everyone. This Muhammad, really doesn't know how to handle things! Musharraf couldn't help but wipe the sweat for him.

  "It's our Panjshir lion, after all," Zia ul-Haq said: "What's the problem?"

  Ziya-Hak was extremely patient.

  "The Soviet air force is equipped with Mig-21, Mig-23 and other superior fighter jets. Among them, the Mig-21 is a supersonic fighter jet, while the Mig-23 is even more advanced with its variable swept wing design and can launch medium-range missiles. In contrast, our J-6 can only engage in close combat. Today's confrontation puts our pilots at a disadvantage. If we really engage in battle, at a distance of 30 kilometers, we will be completely at the mercy of their attacks." Muhammad stood up and said loudly.

  "Mohammad, the issue of equipment, the Cabinet Committee on Defence will study it carefully. The F-16 fighter jets we ordered from the US are about to return home. At that time, we can consider replacing the aircraft at Peshawar base," said Defence Minister Muradov. "However, our Pakistan Air Force has always been strong in weakness, and in the third Indo-Pakistani War, our equipment was inferior, but we still fought with great fanfare. I believe that Peshawar Military Region will not disappoint us."

  Moulvi was here to mediate, this kind of thing, if you say it yourself, can still be changed afterwards, but if the president says it, then it's hard to change. He almost didn't need to think and could guess that Muhhamad made such a statement in order to get the most advanced F-16 fighter jets for Peshawar base, which is desirable, every base wants this, it's understandable.

  "Yes, Chief of Staff, we will report this matter to the Cabinet Defense Committee." Musaaff added.

  Ziya-Ha looked at Muhammad, this young man dared to stand up and make demands at a time like this, indeed a tiger general, quite having his own style back then, the more he looked, the more he liked.

  If in peacetime, a military zone chief of staff at this level is hard to have direct dialogue with the president, today Zia-ul-Haq came for inspection and gave Muhammad an opportunity to stand out among the crowd.

  Originally, both sides had people advising against it, and Muhammad should have sat down, but instead, Muhammad continued: "Sorry, I'm not asking the President for F-16 fighter jets to equip Peshawar Military Region. This type of fighter jet can't properly defend our airspace, we need a heavy-duty fighter!"