Not with Gamal to the Prime Minister. Admiral Fernández has done a good job of psychological accuracy.

After reaching the United States, India's military command mechanism has also imitated the United States in an all-round way. The General Staff was retained, but there was no longer a separate chief of general staff, but the chief of staff of the army, navy and air forceAfter the Fourth Indo-Pakistani War, India abolished the commanders of the army, navy and air force, and only set up the chief of staff to serve in rotation, each serving for one year. From April, Admiral Fernández began to perform the duties of Chief of the General Staff.

The purpose of structural reform is to ease relations between the three armed services and balance the development of the three armed services, but it has produced many unexpected results. For example, during the period of rotation of posts, everyone wants to gain more benefits for their own services, which leads to a change in military policy and uncertain changes in military development policies, and the strengthening of the army this year, the navy next year, and the air force later will be strengthened. The most representative is the purchase agreement of the first fighter, which was delayed again and again when the army was in power; When the Navy came to power, it not only immediately approved the procurement plan, but also asked the Air Force to also purchase this less suitable fighter; When the Air Force took power, it made changes to the calculation of profits, which greatly delayed the initial production schedule, and the total output in a few years was discouraged. If there is a more effective military management mechanism, India should not purchase large quantities of fighter jets that can only meet the needs of the navy, but should purchase metallurgical and pharmaceutical fighters for the air force and produce them before the calendar year.

Fernández was in charge of the house and naturally favored the navy.

Like most Indian generals, Fernandes came from a well-known family, his uncle was India's defense minister, and in his generation, the family gave birth to General Ming. As a young boy, Fernandez, like all children of the nobility, went to England to study, eventually completing his studies at the Royal Naval College, the world's most prestigious naval academy, and returning to India as a junior officer. Thanks to his family, Fernandes did not spend much time at the grassroots level, becoming a senior officer before he was old enough to go on to study at the Royal Naval College. During the Fourth Indo-Pakistani War a year ago, Fernandez was studying in England and was unable to make it. For him, this is more or less a blessing in misfortune. After further studies, Fernandez returned to India and became an admiral before he was old. During the conflict in southern Tibet, the Indian Navy did not participate in combat operations, and Fernandez, then commander of the Eastern Fleet, was successfully promoted to deputy chief of staff of the navy, and became chief of staff of the navy in his drowning years.

From this resume, it can be seen that Fernandez is a pound. There is a strong emphasis on traditional military personnel.

Like all admirals, Fernandez valued sea power above all else. This is also the characteristic of the Indian Navy, because the vast majority of Indian naval generals and senior officers went to England to study at a young age, and a large number of them, like Fernandez, went to England for further study before being promoted to general, and were deeply influenced by traditional British naval thinking. Coupled with India's unique geographical location, the idea of sea power has long been deeply rooted in the bone marrow of Indian naval personnel.

Summoned by the prime minister, Fernandez guessed Rurajapani's thoughts.

The Chinese Navy's six aircraft carrier battle groups have left port and are on their way to the Indian Ocean, and the Indian Navy will be the first to be tested.

In Fernandez's view, India can lose anything, that is, it cannot lose sea supremacy.

"So, the Chinese Navy will attack?

"Your Excellency, this is a very obvious thing." Fernandez has been dealing with Rurajapani for several years and knows that Rurajapani is not the kind of politician who can be easily deceived by military personnel. "The purpose of China's rejuvenation is certainly not simple. Judging by the current situation, it is very likely that China will start a full-scale war, not to help Sikkim build a state, but to completely defeat us, or even completely destroy us. Prior to this, China had fought two large-scale regional wars, destroying South Korea and destroying Japan. What's more, both wars were related to Wang Yuanqing. Wang Yuanqing spent four of them preparing for war, and now that it is suddenly difficult, he will definitely not give up. ”

"General, I want military advice, not political opinions."

Fernandez hesitated for a moment and said: "Militarily speaking, China is already strong enough, but China cannot deal with us like it did with South Korea and Japan." ”

"Why?" Rurajapani was patient and gave Fernandes plenty of opportunities to perform.

"We are not the country of Japan, and we are not Japan, and Fernandez answered very directly." In terms of strategic depth, we are much superior to South Korea. China could eliminate South Korea with only standing forces without large-scale war mobilization. To deal with us, China must carry out a full-scale war mobilization and commit at least ten times the number of troops in the war on the peninsula. The most important thing is that if China wants to defeat us, it must seize sea supremacy, impose a strategic blockade on us, and cut off our access to foreign aid. This is very similar to when we dealt with Japan. The difference is that we are farther away from China and more difficult to blockade. In this way, China must first deploy its navy to seize sea supremacy. Only after the end of the battle at sea can China determine the ultimate purpose of the war based on the results. ”

Rurajapani frowned slightly, motioning for Fernandez to speak more clearly.

"The key is sea dominance. If the Chinese Navy seizes sea supremacy in the Indian Ocean and completes the strategic blockade of China, China will have enough courage to start a full-scale war.

If the Chinese Navy fails to seize sea supremacy, it will not be able to strategically blockade our state. China will not start a war in the warehouse. Will be reached with sails... Lan Hou ended the military operation. After a slight pause, Fernandez said, "China's military deployment is staggering, and the scale of its military movements is appalling, but one thing is clear, China has so far helped Sikkim build its country as its ultimate goal." It can be concluded that China's leaders are not yet sure enough, or are waiting for the time to come. China's leaders are waiting for the results of the Chinese navy's war in the Indian Ocean. ”

Rurajapani took a long breath and did not refute Fernandez's point.

In fact, Rurajapani also has such concerns.

Although India is inferior to China in all aspects and is not an opponent of China at all, compared with those countries that have been defeated by China before, India has a very obvious advantage: strategic depth. Relying on its huge strategic depth, as long as India can persist in fighting, it can inflict unbearable war losses on China, thus forcing China to abandon its plan to engage in all-out war. In order to defeat India "easily", China must impose a strategic blockade on India, so that India will lose aid from the outside world, so as to easily crush India's national defense strength and lay the foundation for the eventual and complete defeat of India. In this way, the actions of the Chinese Navy are particularly crucial.

"Prime Minister" Gamal reminded Iippei, who was meditating, Rurajapani.

After coming to his senses. Rurajapani glanced at Fernandez and said, "General, according to you, what can we do to defeat the Chinese Navy?" ”

"There aren't many options, we can only rise to the challenge."

Rurajapani's brow jumped a few times, but that wasn't the best answer.

Gamar hesitated for a moment and said, "General, isn't this exactly the opportunity that the Chinese Navy wants?" ”

"That's true, the Chinese Navy will definitely find us for a decisive battle, but the problem has to be looked at from two aspects." Fernández had already prepared the answer, saying, "Naval warfare is very different from other forms of warfare, and it is inherently decisive in nature. Regardless of whether you go on the offensive side or the defending side, you must try to defeat your opponent in the decisive battle. In other words, in terms of specific tactical actions, there is no difference between offense and defense in the navy, both sides are in the same situation, only offense can win, and defense is bound to be defeated. Judging by the overall situation, the Chinese fleet will come from afar and will first enter the Indian Ocean, and then look for opportunities for a decisive battle. One thing we cannot ignore is that the Chinese fleet has been electrified and has unlimited range. In a situation where the main purpose of the campaign is to dominate the sea, it will be difficult for us to seize the initiative as long as the Chinese fleet enters the Indian Ocean. In that way, we must take the initiative and fight the Chinese Navy before or when it enters the Indian Ocean, not at the time of its choosing. ”

"What's the difference?" Gamar asked.

"Essential differences." Fernandez glanced at the Minister of Internal Security and said, "As long as the Chinese fleet enters the heart of the Indian Ocean, our defense line will be extended several times." When the time comes, how, when, and how to fight will be decided by the Chinese fleet, and we can only defend passively. If it takes the initiative, it is necessary to leave the cover range of shore-based aviation and fight it in a decisive battle on the battlefield chosen by the Chinese fleet. In any way, it is not good for us to be passive, and the only chance we have to defeat the Chinese fleet is to take the initiative to meet it. ”

Seeing that Gamar still wanted to ask a question, Rurajapani pressed his hand.

Although Rurajapani is not a soldier, he has no experience in the Navy. But he is very aware of the relationship between active and passive. Regardless of Fernández's approach to the war, his analysis is very well placed. India cannot afford to lose its sea supremacy, so it cannot allow the Chinese fleet to enter the Indian Ocean.

"General, how sure are you if you take the initiative to face the battle?"

"I don't know for sure, but I have the belief to win." Fernandez did not fool the prime minister because no one could fool Rurajapani.

"Only faith, this

Rurajapani glanced at Gamar and motioned for Fernandez to continue.

"Although the United States has provided us with comprehensive support, including intelligence, and we have also equipped ourselves with a large number of advanced weapons imported from the United States, the gap between us and the Chinese Navy, especially in terms of comprehensive combat effectiveness, is still obvious." Fernandez sighed and said, "The only thing we can take advantage of is geography. To date, with the exception of Thailand, none of the countries bordering the Indian Ocean have opened military bases to China. The Chinese fleet came from afar, and it was only possible to enter the Indian Ocean through the Strait of Malacca or the Sunda Strait. In the Strait of Malacca, you must first face the heavily fortified Andaman and Nicobar Islands; If you go through the Sunda Strait, you can quickly enter the heart of the Indian Ocean. From this, it can be concluded that the Chinese fleet will definitely take the Sunda Strait to avoid our shore-based aviation deployed on the Andaman and Nicobar Islands. There is already intelligence that at least a dozen Chinese submarines have reached the waters south of Sumatra. This also confirms our suspicion that the Chinese fleet will enter the Indian Ocean from the Sunda Strait by the 31st. ”

Rurajapani let out a long sigh and didn't interrupt Fernandez.

"In response to this situation, we will use shore-based patrol aircraft deployed in the Andaman and Nicobar Islands to monitor the entire Strait of Malacca, deploy the fleet to the southwest waters of Sumatra, and deploy submarines at the southern exit of the Sunda Strait. As long as the Chinese fleet enters the Indian Ocean from the Sunda Strait, we will be able to attack at the first opportunity. ”

"What if the Chinese fleet goes through the Strait of Malacca

"It's unlikely, but we have a solution." Fernández was not stumped by the minister, who was loyal to the prime minister. "We have dozens of patrol aircraft deployed in the Strait of Malacca, and we can also use the offshore patrol boats deployed in Port Blair, plus the US military patrol aircraft deployed at Singapore's Changi military base, as long as the Chinese fleet enters the Strait of Malacca, we will be present. We have at least two days to adjust our deployment and allow the fleet to move to the waters west of the Andaman and Nicobar Islands, where shore-based aviation will carry out the first round of strikes against the Chinese fleet, and then the carrier-based aviation will carry out the second round of strikes against the Chinese fleet. ”

"So, it's foolproof?"

"I can't say that."

Hearing Fernandez's words, Rurajapani immediately frowned.

"After the departure of the Chinese fleet. The US military's reconnaissance satellites have found dozens of false targets, and it has not been possible to determine the specific whereabouts of the Chinese fleet. There is no doubt that the Chinese Navy has mastered some kind of advanced deception technology. Merely. This kind of deception and camouflage technology can only deal with reconnaissance satellites, but cannot deal with patrol planes and submarines. Fernandez smiled and said, "I've talked to U.S. military advisers about this, and the U.S. military is looking for a new solution." Whether it is the Strait of Malacca or the Sunda Strait, the narrowest point is only a few tens of kilometers, and the aircraft carrier is not a submarine, so it is impossible to pass through quietly. ”

"If it's at night

"Even at night, the aircraft carrier has a distinct sunset-shaped character. No matter how clever the camouflage technology is, it is impossible to turn an aircraft carrier into an oil tanker or other ships, let alone make an aircraft carrier visually invisible. Fernandez glanced at Gamal and said with a little disdain, "Six aircraft carrier battle groups, large and small, have dozens of warships, except for submarines sailing under the surface of the sea, the other warships have very easily recognizable appearance characteristics. It is possible to let a few battleships slip through, but it is by no means possible to let so many warships slip through. ”

"If the Chinese fleet moves in a split force

"That's self-defeating." Fernandez was also a little annoyed by Gamar, who was constantly questioning. "The Chinese Navy is indeed strong, but not strong enough to underestimate us. If the Chinese fleet moves in parts, no matter how it is divided, we will be able to break it individually. With the loss of even one aircraft carrier, the superiority of the Chinese fleet will be lost. What we need is such an opportunity, an opportunity to take the initiative. Besides, the Chinese Navy has never tasted defeat on the battlefield, and it certainly does not want to be defeated at our hands, let alone divide its forces.

Gamar hesitated, not asking any new questions.

"The general began to say that it was not foolproof," Rurajapani picked up and asked, "what does that mean?" ”

"The biggest problem is the submarine force of the Chinese Navy, and if we cannot overcome this difficulty, we will not be able to achieve a perfect victory in naval battles."

"A perfect victory?" Gamar was stunned for a moment, meaning that he had misheard.

"Yes, a perfect victory." Fernandez repeated, "Except for a small gap in the size of the fleet, all the humming factors are on our side. As long as we can seize the opportunity, we can get a perfect victory, wash away the shame of twenty years ago, and become the hegemon of the Indian Ocean. ”

Gamar's brow jumped a few times, visibly stunned by Fernandez's confidence.

Rurajapani was also very shocked in his heart, but he didn't show it.

"Your Excellency, Prime Minister, we have enough faith that as long as we let the Navy do it, we will definitely be able to

"General, are you despising your opponent too much?" Gamal interrupted Fernandez.

"Despising an opponent? If we underestimate our opponents, we will not let the eastern and western fleets go out at the same time. ”

"The strength of the Chinese Navy is obvious to all, not to mention us, even the US Navy has to give up three points, we

"Your Excellency, do you doubt the Navy, or do you doubt the Prime Minister?"

Gamar was stunned for a moment, then immediately shut his mouth.

"The plan for the naval exhibition was drawn up by the prime minister himself, and although the time is short, we have a solid foundation." Fernandez looked at Rurajapani and said, "After all these years of exhibition, we have not only regained our strength, but also entered the strongest period ever. If the Indian Navy wants to dominate the Indian Ocean, it must defeat the Chinese Navy; If India is to become a globally recognized power, it will have to defeat China. We had no choice, and the Prime Minister showed us the way forward. At present, instead of working together to meet the challenge, we doubt the strength of the navy. I really dare not agree with Your Excellency's views. ”

Gamar's face turned blue and purple for a while, but it was hard to refute.

Rurajapani sighed secretly and said, "General, are you really confident enough to defeat the Chinese fleet?" ”

Fernandez nodded and said, "If we don't have confidence, we'd better surrender directly to China." As long as the Chinese fleet is allowed to enter the Indian Ocean and the Chinese navy is allowed to gain sea supremacy, no matter how much effort we make, we will not be able to avoid defeat in the end. We have confidence and more faith. ”

After pondering for a while, Rurajapani said, "In that case, you still have three days to prepare. ”

Fernandez didn't say anything wordy, immediately agreed, and then got up to take his leave.

Seeing off the admiral, Fernandez seemed to let go of a stone hanging in his heart, and suddenly felt much more relaxed.