Becoming a Russian Oligarch After Rebirth
Chapter 1179 - 989: Expansion Again_2

Chapter 1179: Chapter 989: Expansion Again_2

Blackwater originally didn’t have much business in Africa; their main contracts were with the United States military and with security services for those Middle Eastern oil nations.

However, seeing Wagner rake in profits over the past few years in Africa, Blackwater was tempted, feeling that business might be easier in Africa.

After all, the adversaries they were facing were just indigenous tribes, which to them represented a Dimension Reduction Attack!

Earning big money seemed so easy!

Whereas the military contracts were generally high-risk, and a single mistake could lead to disaster.

Therefore, Blackwater was looking for opportunities to enter Africa.

When another tribe leader approached them, they came to an agreement instantly!

Yet neither Androf nor Blackwater’s Prince, when taking on the contract, expected who their opponents would be...

At first, they both thought they would only have to deal with tribal armed forces.

But when the first batch of their personnel arrived on the scene and realized something was amiss, one side unveiled the Wagner flags, while the other hoisted Blackwater flags.

Both sides had elite soldiers and superb equipment, and both were too proud to make concessions, leading to a standoff.

When the situation was reported to their respective leaders, Androf also found it quite tricky.

He knew that Blackwater was also formidable, with an even earlier reputation than Wagner, and its members were mostly made up of retired Special Forces with strong combat capability.

Moreover, this company had a complex background, with a quite ambiguous relationship with the American military!

Otherwise, it would be hard to explain how a private security company could own dozens of fighter jets...

At that time, even Wagner did not have them; Wagner’s aircraft were mostly transport planes and armed helicopters, but not actual fighter jets.

But Wagner could not back down!

In Africa, the fame that Wagner achieved over the years was fought for with the blood and sweat of its brothers!

One could say that the banner of Wagner was imbued with the blood of many brothers!

If they retreated now; what would happen if they encountered Blackwater again? Would they have to cede ground once more?

With resolve, he upped the ante!

He dispatched his most elite all-mechanized combat troops, equipped with everything including light armored cars, armored transport ships, and armed helicopters!

Hoping the other side would take the hint and withdraw proactively...

Regrettably, it seemed Prince of Blackwater Company thought the same as Androf; he upped his bet too, sending a formidable elite force as well.

With forces from both sides stationed on their ally tribe’s territory, neither dared to act rashly because everyone knew that once a battle started, it would be a brutal fight.

But such a stalemate wasn’t a solution either. If it came to combat, Androf still was confident in victory.

After all, after years of operating in Africa, he had several large bases and even built his own airports.

As for Blackwater, they were just starting to expand there and only had a temporary base; even their fighter jets probably couldn’t be dispatched because there was nowhere to land...

Yet Androf dared not really strike because war was just a means, not the end goal.

After the war, how to manage the aftermath was the real issue!

If Blackwater truly had close ties with the United States military as rumored, then offending such a power was the last thing he wanted.

Even if the American military got involved here, they would be more than Androf could handle.

He could not bear the consequences.

So, he made a call to Wang Ye, recounting the details of the situation, and asked for guidance on what to do next.

To retreat, or to fight!

...

As Wang Ye listened, he rapidly assessed the pros and cons of fighting or withdrawing.

Although the Wagner Group couldn’t earn him money, its importance couldn’t be underestimated; it was a card up his sleeve!

Moreover, such a combat unit must maintain a spirit of bold and relentless advance; if this spirit were deflated, they would likely become dispirited from then on.

Therefore, after Androf finished speaking, Wang Ye firmly said, "Fight! Why should we yield? That’s Africa, our territory! In terms of combat capability, the Wagner Group should have no problem dealing with Blackwater, right?"

Androf responded cautiously, "If it’s just ground troops fighting, we should be able to win for sure, but Blackwater has dozens of fighter jets, which introduces uncertainty.

I’m afraid that if it really comes to a fight, they could find a temporary airport and bring over the fighter jets. Then we would lose air superiority completely and be in a very passive position."

This scenario is not impossible.

If Blackwater becomes desperate, they wouldn’t just leave their dozens of fighter jets unused. Renting a temporary airport is also not a difficult task.

Wang Ye smiled slightly and said unhurriedly, "I’ll take care of this matter. It’s just a few dozen fighter jets. I think it’s time the Wagner Group had its own air force. After all, we already have a fleet, so naturally, we need our own fighter jets!"

Upon hearing this, Androf felt relieved.

He was very clear about his boss’s current strength. Since he said so, he must have the confidence to achieve it!

To tell the truth, he had been coveting fighter jets for a long time.

Army, navy, and air force, right? Now, the ground forces of the Wagner Group are formidable, and their naval forces are second to none. The only slight regret was in the air since they only had transport planes and armed helicopters.

Now, at last, they were going to make up for it...

...

After hanging up the phone with Androf, Wang Ye called Shao Yigu.

Without beating around the bush, he briefly explained the situation, then said:

"Aren’t you downsizing your forces? There should be some air force departments being cut, right? Those jets and pilots have been trained with so much effort, don’t let them go to waste. Might as well sell them in a bundle to the Wagner Group."

Given the relationship between Wang Ye and Shao Yigu, as long as it was feasible, Shao Yigu certainly wouldn’t refuse.

Especially since Wang Ye had just added a substantial amount of budget beyond the usual foreign investment!

One must bow before a benefactor...

Shao Yigu pondered briefly, then quickly said:

"You didn’t bring it up, and I almost forgot. Indeed, there is an aviation combat brigade that will be cut, with about fifty fighter jets, including pilots and ground support personnel, totaling about a thousand people.

If you need them, just take them.

However, I must tell you beforehand, those fighter jets are not the latest models, but they are more than sufficient.

You manage the United Aviation Group, after all. If you want the latest fighter jets, just purchase them yourself—you know there are export models of fighter jets available for international sales, right?"

Wang Ye nodded in satisfaction.

Just as Shao Yigu said, he oversaw the United Aviation Group. There would be plenty of opportunities in the future to purchase new fighter jets.

Of course, the most advanced and cutting-edge models definitely couldn’t be sold to foreign entities, but models that met the mainstream world performance standards were no issue. After all, the United Aviation Group was engaged in foreign trade.

Selling to others is still selling, and Wagner certainly isn’t an outsider!

What he needed most were combat-experienced pilots and a professional support and maintenance team!

Shao Yigu clearly knew his business, directly offering to cut an aviation combat brigade and allowing him to take it off their hands!

The matter was now simple; this aviation combat brigade could be directly relocated to the African base. No need for integration; they were ready-made combat power.

Wang Ye didn’t believe that Blackwater’s combat aircraft could be compared to his own regular forces!

...

If it had been a year or two ago and Wang Ye had made such a request, Shao Yigu might have hesitated for quite a while, or even refused.

But now, the situation was completely different.

Not to mention that his relationship with Wang Ye had grown much closer and Wang Ye had helped him with many significant issues.

Just consider Wang Ye’s relationship with the Kremlin; it’s entirely on a different level now.

In the past, the Kremlin might have been wary of Wang Ye and would have subtly instructed Shao Yigu to be cautious in his dealings with him.

But now, Wang Ye and the Kremlin were practically family!

That’s why Shao Yigu agreed so readily to Wang Ye’s request, even though to others, the request might seem downright fanciful...