Chapter 458 No More Compromise

United States, White House.

"Our fighter planes made contact with the Soviet aircraft carrier formation." Defense Minister Harold said: "The situation is not good. Two of our fighter planes were damaged."

Four fighter planes went forward to provoke, but half of them were damaged. Fortunately, none of them fell down, otherwise the US Air Force would have made a fool of itself.

"What's going on?" Carter asked. "Is it the Soviet air force that is attacking us?"

"Yes and no," said Harold.

"What's going on?" Carter had been in a very bad mood recently, and he felt even more uncomfortable when he heard this answer.

"The Soviets launched a four-plane formation to intercept us and fired missiles. However, the performance of the Soviet missiles was not very good and our fighters avoided them all. However, while dodging, two fighters collided in the air," said Harold.

Mid-air collision! In such a vast airspace, they actually collided with each other. This can only show how unlucky the two pilots who were flying the fighter planes at that time were! Only first-class pilots can dodge missiles, and only first-class pilots dare to fly in dense formations in the air, which is also the reason for the collision!

The plane with a broken wing could actually fly back! This surprised everyone. When the news reached McDonnell Douglas, the experts in the company couldn't believe it at all. They sent a team of experts to Pakistan to conduct research.

From the perspective of fighter aircraft, the F-15 is already a very successful model, but it has nothing to do with the ongoing war!

"In other words, we did not scare off the Soviet aircraft carrier formation. Unless we are determined to really attack the Soviet aircraft carrier formation, they will not leave the Arabian Sea, and their carrier-based aircraft will continue to provide support to the Soviet paratroopers in Sistan Province?" Carter continued to ask.

The Soviets had obviously prepared for this series of military actions. Their aircraft carriers had already taken action two months ago. Unfortunately, they did not discover the Soviet conspiracy at that time! And now, really attacking the Soviet aircraft carriers? That would simply lead to the outbreak of a world war! What's more, the Soviet Union is now under the guise of anti-terrorism! The attempted bombing at the Moscow Olympics and the elementary school hostage case in Turkmenistan gave the Soviet Union sufficient excuses! Even in the United Nations, there are a group of countries supporting it, including that troublemaker France!

At this time, the United States can only make gestures and cannot really take action! The time left for the Soviet side is getting shorter and shorter. When the Soviet ground forces rush to the south, the Soviets have opened up a passage to the Indian Ocean!

Now, let alone their own fighter jets going over, even if their own aircraft carrier formation reached that sea area, the Soviets would never retreat. The Soviets launched fighter jets to intercept their own fighter jets and opened fire without hesitation, which had already shown their attitude!

"Perhaps we can use another method," said Brzezinski, assistant to the National Security Advisor. "We have a Los Angeles-class submarine that has already dived into the Arabian Sea. We can use this Los Angeles-class submarine to pin down the Soviet fleet. They will have to launch anti-submarine warfare, and in this way, their fighter jets will be affected."

The Soviet aircraft carriers carried the MiG-23 fixed-wing aircraft, which had no anti-submarine capability and could not conduct anti-submarine warfare. However, when the Soviet aircraft carrier formation discovered submarine activities below them, they had to launch anti-submarine warfare. At this time, the Soviet carrier-based aircraft absolutely could not take off!

To fight against submarines, you need to be silent, which means the entire fleet needs to sail at a low speed, so that you can use sonar to detect the submarines below! And to take off a carrier-based aircraft, you need to go at full speed, so that the ski-jump takeoff method can release the carrier-based aircraft!

The United States does not need catapult takeoff, unless the heavy Tomcat is taking off fully loaded. Otherwise, even if the aircraft carrier is not moving, the catapult has enough power. They will accelerate the warship just to be more safe.

"However, this would put our submarines in danger," said Defense Secretary Harold.

Submarines are underwater ghosts, but they are only a part of all combat weapon systems and cannot be the main force. During World War II, the German submarine wolf packs in the Atlantic were quickly crushed by the Allied escort warships. This is an example. Now, the Soviet warships have very strong anti-submarine capabilities. Letting a Los Angeles-class ship go over to provoke, isn't that courting death?

"Of course it's not dangerous. Our Los Angeles-class is the latest nuclear submarine. When it travels at a low speed, it can blend into the background noise of the seawater and will not be discovered by the Soviets. We have tracked the Soviet ballistic missile submarines many times in the Atlantic Ocean, and they did not respond at all. Now, wouldn't it be better for us to conduct a submarine warfare exercise against Soviet aircraft carriers? Moreover, if we delay for another day, our aircraft carrier formation will be able to arrive at the scene."

Hearing this, Harold nodded. This was true. They should be able to hold out for a day. As long as the submarines continued to harass them, the Soviet aircraft carrier formation would definitely not be able to provide ground support.

"Stan, how is the battle we launched by the local Iranians against the Soviets going?" Carter asked the CIA director beside him. This matter was pushed by the CIA behind the scenes.

"We launched attacks at four main mountain passes two hours ago, but were repelled by the Soviets. The Soviets even used bayonets in hand-to-hand combat." Stan said, "Those Iranians got scared when they saw the bayonets, and we lost more than a dozen scouts in vain."

"Bayonet? That means the Soviets have run out of ammunition. This is an opportunity!" Carter said, "Since those Iranians are so cowardly, why don't we use our own troops and disguise them as mercenaries!"

Mobilize their own troops? This surprised everyone: "Mr. President, will a direct conflict with the Soviets like this lead to a world war?"

"No, the Soviets won't think it's us, they're just mercenaries," Carter said.

The Soviets' goal this time was to open up a passage to the south, definitely not to start a third world war! The Soviets' top leaders had a very unique strategic vision, and a world war would not do them any good.

We can no longer give in! The situation in the Far East is in a state of disarray. If we lose our advantage in the Middle East, what will we have left?

It's really ironic that they did this just to buy time for the Iranians! When the Iranians recovered and fought with the Soviets, it would be a pleasing sight.