King Of War: Starting with Arms Dealer
Chapter 965 - 866: Everyone Must Live Together in Peace

Joe Ga was interested in Pierre's 'another proposal'!

In order to fulfill the aviation dreams of Cobra and Archerfish, Boss Joe pinched his nose and swallowed so many fighter jets.

If it wasn't for Boss Joe's plug-in upgrade, he couldn't afford these money-eating behemoths at all.

Let alone fighting, it's tough to even refuel without external support.

Now P·B not only has 3 C-130s but also 4 F-16s, two Su-27s, two L-159s, two Su-25s, and two F-14 Panda fighters recently shipped over from America.

However, the two Pandas still require some adaptation from the pilots, their combat radius is no worse than that of the Su-27s, which is also a significant reason why Joe Ga feels that he can take advantage of both ends from his position.

The geographical location of Central Africa, economically speaking, is terribly poor.

But from P·B's perspective, this is an excellent location for a lair.

Because any air force coming from any direction, as long as armed with heavy bombs, can't make it back without the help of air-to-air refueling planes.

The situation is even worse for the army; without air-transportation capability, it's impossible to quickly reach Central Africa since there are no reliable highways here.

P·B's influence expands like a balloon, and it's not a lie to say the French are not anxious.

But they can't do anything about it since P·B has a great international image.

More importantly, they haven't done anything outrageous; most missions have been coated in the guise of charity.

Now, not only do they have the backing of the United Nations, but they also have the support of feminists from all over the world.

Even if the French politicians don't care about the United Nations, they may not withstand the onslaught of feminists, as all politicians are people of prestige.

Given the current state of the President of France, he definitely wouldn't seek trouble, and he would need to pray just to step down peacefully.

However, even so, the so-called Joint Air Force must let the French join.

Otherwise, it would be like Pierre hinted: I might not be able to deal with you, but I can definitely make your life restless.

The least of the worries could be the demise of the Joint Air Force in its infancy; a more serious situation would be the opposition from neighboring Africa Country states to the existence of P·B.

This is not impossible, because for the Africa Country states that are still at the guerrilla stage, especially those with ambitions, the fighter jets are too lethal!

But the French wanting to free-ride while still exerting their influence is definitely impossible.

However, Joe Ga is equally aware that the Joint Air Force can't avoid the French, and he indeed wants to rope in the big-headed French.

No matter how Joe Ga tricked the French in Syria, that doesn't hinder him from shielding himself from international malevolence by siding with the French in Africa.

This point is crucial!

The French probably saw this too; hence the outrageous price they initially quoted.

Pierre had already anticipated Joe Ga's attitude, so he decisively proposed another plan...

Observing Joe Ga's interested look, Pierre said with a wry smile: "It's still 50 million, P·B provides the airport for shared use, and we won't touch your fighters.

But you need to be ready at all times to help us refuel the Rafale jets coming from the Djibouti Air Force Base."

Joe Ga sneered: "Refueling a Rafale costs 30-40 thousand euros, plus maintenance of the airport, the costs rise to 100 thousand.

If you stay here, maybe I'll even have to help with maintenance.

Do you know how much the French are hated in this part of Central Africa?

If I let you use my airport, I'll face enormous pressure.

Brother, you're a major country. The countries here are afraid of your intervention in their internal affairs, you have a track record.

Thinking of putting such a huge burden on me for just 50 million is just a joke!"

Saying this, Joe Ga looked at Pierre's helpless face and said with a smile: "However, I have another way, do you want to hear it?"

Pierre helplessly spread his hands and said: "Do I have another choice?"

Joe Ga laughed heartily and said: "Of course not, I'd rather let the fighters rot than do something stupid that makes the surrounding countries of Central Africa nervous.

The significance of the Joint Air Force is to provide a reliance for those Central Africa neighboring countries that lack national defense capabilities.

If the French want to get involved, that's fine, still 50 million euros a year, and there's a place for you in the joint command.

You join as shareholders of the fighter training center, and with your position in the joint command, it won't be a problem if later you want the Joint Air Force to cooperate with your Red Moon Dunes plan.

I've roughly calculated the operational costs; the F-16's hourly flight cost is about 40 thousand US dollars, including operational maintenance, part replacement, aviation fuel...

Since I have to buy parts and fuel internationally, the prices are very high, so the total hourly cost is 100 thousand US dollars.

This doesn't even include the airport maintenance costs.

Of course, the usage cost for the Su-27 is slightly lower, but this behemoth consumes more fuel, so let's calculate it at 150 thousand US dollars per hour.

As long as those in the joint command center have no objections, then with sufficient funds and the right missile selection, we depart..."

Pierre, being an expert, did some quick calculations and found that if needed, they must at least purchase three working hours of the fighter each time.

Honestly, 450 thousand a trip isn't expensive, but that doesn't include the price of missiles or aerial munitions...

Even using the most conservative ammunition configuration, opting only for ground weaponry without air-to-air missiles, it'll cost a minimum of 1 million per flight.

If the combat requires high-precision munitions support, then the prices are unpredictable.

Joe Ga's meaning is clear, 50 million euros a year is just an entry ticket, the French still need to send people to the fighter training center, provide technical and manpower assistance, only then they get a position in the Joint Air Force.

In such a situation, France would not have the upper hand in any vote that is required.

Pierre would never agree to such conditions, so he looked at Joe Ga seriously and said, "Hu Lang, you should understand our position, money is not an issue, but if we cannot attain some degree of leadership..."

Joe Ga waved his hand with a smile, "Buddy, I think you should have expected this.

My people have not only lobbied the surrounding countries but also the directors of the African Union.

Africa is rife with conflicts, but the peacekeeping force of the African Union is very weak.

The significance of the joint air force is to provide a measure of protection for those countries without defense capabilities, to guard against foreign invasions.

We have already persuaded Central Africa, Congo, Burundi, Chad, and Niger, and I will consider bringing Congo Braze into it afterward.

But besides these countries, the African Union is key, only they can give us a legitimate label.

You are hoping for lead control, that's impossible!"

As Joe Ga spoke, he looked at Pierre whose expression was souring a bit, and with a smile continued, "But since you've spent money, you should enjoy a veto right just like the representatives of the African Union.

You may not be able to decide who to bomb, but you can decide who definitely won't get bombed.

This is what you guys do with the national bank in Africa, do you think this condition is fair enough?"

After hearing this, Pierre took a deep breath, then made a gesture asking for a moment, and walked into a room with a satellite phone.

The conditions set by Joe Ga almost touched the bottom line of the French...

They need relatively cheap, and no long-term expenses, air support for the Red Crescent Dune project.

They also need to get involved with the joint air force, using their influence to manipulate the relations between some countries in West Africa and Central Africa.

A yearly pass for 50 million US Dollars is much cheaper than annual aid amounting to hundreds of millions.

Moreover, how many entities in Africa can actually afford combat aircraft?

While Joe is offering a competitive price, how many can afford such a budget in Africa?

Ultimately only the African Union, France, and P.B have the capability.

The African Union only exists as a supervisor.

As long as P.B is pulled over, having one veto power is enough.

If you don't cooperate with me, I'll just make you suffer and prevent you from exerting any influence.

The logic is just that, but Pierre still underestimated Joe Ga's determination to formalize the use of the joint air force.

If France wants to target terrorists, no problem, you and the country hosting the terrorists, submit a report and evidence, prove those people deserve to die, and after the review by the representative of the African Union, the fighter jets will then be deployed.

In the future, once everything is formalized, even P.B itself will be no exception.

If combat aircraft are to be deployed, it must be proven that the target indeed deserves to die, or everyone unanimously agrees the target deserves it.

This is the reason why Joe didn't include Griffin-1 and helicopters in the joint air force project.

Gathering funds for combat aircraft is one thing, but it's foolish to hand over the initiative entirely.

The joint air force must carry an official title; otherwise, such unchecked power will inevitably attract hostile scrutiny, and a private company like P.B simply cannot withstand it.

But bearing the label of the African Union is different, the airstrips are mine, I provide these contributions, and the member states and African Union Headquarters will have to offer real money.

As for how the target is prosecuted afterward, that'll depend on 'personal capability'!

Let the 'judges' swing the hammer...

It's not difficult!

Joe has precisely hit the bottom line of France!

Their control over Africa is declining year by year, that's an indisputable fact, if it were their heyday, they would have used international influence to suppress P.B thoroughly.

Now, to maintain the anti-terrorist front with minimal cost while keeping their influence in Africa, the best choice is to cooperate with P.B.

The P.B Bank is indeed the French Bank, they have the confidence to maintain a benevolent relationship with Joe.

Nearly half an hour later, Pierre walked out of the room, looking oddly at Joe Ga, saying, "A team will be sent to the African Union Headquarters in a month's time to discuss and negotiate matters regarding the joint air force.

Hu Lang, you've been prepared, right?"

Joe Ga poured two more whiskeys, handed one over, and said resignedly, "Ever since those big money eaters fell into my hands, I've been preparing.

Buddy, anyone who seriously wants to make money wouldn't think those are good fun!

Letting them sustain themselves is the best choice for me!"

Pierre took a sip of whiskey appreciatively, and said, "But the airport and planes are on your turf, maintenance and supplies depend on you…

Hu Lang, you're a smart man, I feel like I've been duped, but I can't quite point out where I lost…

Please, don't trick me, let me retire in peace."

Upon hearing this, Joe Ga burst into laughter, "Don't worry, you should trust my reputation and my friendship with friends.

I heard you like yachts, I instructed someone to buy a seaside villa on Reunion Island for you.

Trust me, after collaborating for two years, you'll be able to check out those 40-foot yachts."

After hearing that, Pierre smacked his lips and laughed, saying, "Reunion Island is a great place, I've always wanted to go fishing there!"