94: Great Powers: The Dragon Country feels unfamiliar to us!

October 2nd.

8:00 AM Eastern Time.

In the Oval Office of the White House, a new day's state of the nation briefing was already laid out.

As was customary, the USA President picked up the briefing as soon as he walked into his office that morning:

"Mammoth Bear (USSR) 'Oriental-Darkness Operation' Military Exercise Assessment:"

"The Mammoth Bear (USSR) launched its largest-ever military exercise in Siberia, gathering a million-strong armored torrent of the Warsaw Pact, showcasing T-80 tank clusters, SS-20 nuclear missiles, and airborne lightning tactics."

"Its coordinated combat capability and nuclear deterrence posture far exceeded expectations, with extremely high exercise transparency, intending to deter NATO and compete for the arms market."

"Strategic Deterrence Assessment: SS-20 intermediate-range missiles and tactical nuclear assault drills directly threaten Western European security, exposing defensive vulnerabilities of our European allies."

"Military Imbalance Assessment: The Mammoth Bear (USSR)'s armored torrent has an average daily air projection capability of one army group, far exceeding NATO's current reaction speed."

"Global Impact Assessment: The military exercise is likely to shake allied confidence; urgent reinforcement of forces in Europe and nuclear deterrence countermeasures are needed."

"Hiss..."

Reading this briefing, the USA President's expression grew increasingly solemn.

The military strength of the Soviet Union and the hardline stance of the Kremlin far exceeded his expectations!

In fact, with this "Oriental-Darkness Operation" military exercise, the Soviet Union had completely swept away the shadow cast by the Afghan War!

The current international situation was extremely unfavorable for the USA!

Not only Third World countries, but even the USA's most loyal Western European allies might lose confidence in the White House?

With a heavy heart, the USA President picked up the second state of the nation briefing:

"Dragon Country National Day Grand Military Parade Global Impact Assessment:"

"The Dragon Country's 30th-anniversary parade showcased new combat-ready units, including 'Wall of Sighs' 79A main battle tanks, Weishi rocket artillery, and WZ-10 attack helicopter clusters from the Army Aviation Brigade, which, after being reviewed in combat posture, immediately proceeded to Siberia to counter the Mammoth Bear (USSR) military exercise."

"The heavy combined arms brigade's integrated combat system overturned traditional army models, with 155mm howitzer precision strike capability, 400km rocket artillery coverage, and three-dimensional maneuver tactics, demonstrating 'air-ground integrated' modernized combat power."

"Technical Assessment: 79A tank performance surpasses the Mammoth Bear (USSR)'s T-80 and our M60A3; rocket artillery range and accuracy are comparable to missiles, threatening the Asia-Pacific firepower balance."

"Strategic Assessment: A 12,000-strong force departed immediately for the military exercise, confronting the Mammoth Bear (USSR)'s million-strong steel torrent, sending a signal of 'reshaping international order'."

"Global Assessment: Dragon Country's army technology has surpassed ours and even the Soviet Union; our military needs to accelerate M1 tank deployment and re-examine the policy of technology blockade against Dragon Country."

"National Security Affairs Office Recommendation: Dragon Country used the parade to show its strength, challenging the bipolar military hegemony.

Its independent military industrialization and combined arms brigade model may trigger a global army revolution; our military-industrial complex needs to be wary of the rise of an Eastern competitor."

???

After reading the state of the nation briefing about the Dragon Country's military parade, a series of question marks instantly appeared in the USA President's mind!

The 79A heavy third-generation main battle tank leading the Mammoth Bear (USSR)'s T-80?

The combined arms brigade model triggering a global army revolution?

The Eastern military industry has already risen?

These terms actually appeared simultaneously in the Dragon Country?

The Soviet Union's military power being incredibly strong, oppressing the USA and its NATO allies to the point of breathlessness, was one thing.

But now, even the Dragon Country's military power had suddenly become so formidable?

This was something the USA President found very difficult to accept at the moment!

Previously, the Dragon Country's military industrial technology had indeed produced several standout weapon systems.

In fact, during this process, the USA had even lent a hand in the development of the Dragon Country's military industry.

They not only sold many advanced heavy machine tool equipment to the Dragon Country but also placed large orders with them.

Because in the eyes of the White House, only if the Dragon Country became strong could it counter and balance the Soviet Union's military power in the Asia-Pacific region.

But what the USA never expected was that the Dragon Country's military equipment had already developed into a systemic and formidable force!

In addition to the Brave Warrior Light Combined Arms Brigade, they actually also possessed a Heavy Combined Arms Brigade and an Army Aviation Brigade!

So, the military forces of the Mammoth Bear (USSR) and the Dragon Country were rapidly developing, while the USA was playing the clown?

After realizing this, a surge of frustration welled up in the USA President's heart, and he couldn't recover for a long time!

Who the hell was the world's superpower!

At the same time.

The same situation was happening in the political centers of various Western countries, such as 10 Downing Street, the Élysée Palace, and Bellevue Palace!

Compared to the Soviet Union's powerful global strategic deterrence capability, psychologically, they found the rapid rise of the Dragon Country even harder to accept!

Was this still the country where a few hundred people with guns could form an allied army and extort a billion silver in war reparations?

Was this still the red country that was poor and backward not long after its founding?

The development of the Dragon Country's military even made them feel unfamiliar!

...October 2nd.

Late night.

Peng Lin, along with the Heavy Combined Arms Brigade, the Brave Warrior Light Combined Arms Brigade, and the Army Aviation Brigade, arrived at the Dragon Country's border and entered the Mammoth Bear (USSR)'s Siberian region!

The opposing military exercise between the two sides would unfold in this area!

And at this moment, the three units, having just arrived at their destination, were assembling and resting, conserving their strength!

The military assembly area was brightly lit, with the Heavy Combined Arms Brigade's 79A main battle tank clusters idling in the cold night, the frost on their gun barrels glinting under the searchlights, and logistics personnel spraying antifreeze on the tracks.

The Brave Warrior Combined Arms Brigade's Lynx assault vehicles were dispersed and concealed in tactical formations, with their crews wrapped in cold-weather blankets, inspecting anti-tank missile launchers.

The Army Aviation Brigade's WZ-10 helicopter fleet had its rotors lowered, and ground crew members were checking rotor hinges with flashlights.

Inside the hangar tents, pilots gathered around sand tables, rehearsing tactics.

The 12,000 soldiers of the three units silently and efficiently set up field camps, radio antennas quietly erected under camouflage nets, and hot steam drifted from the field kitchens, accumulating strength for the upcoming confrontation.

"All units are to switch to the marking rounds and simulated ammunition provided by the Mammoth Bear (USSR) military!"

"After adjustments are complete, rest immediately!"

Peng Lin inspected the various units and issued commands.

For the exercise, tanks would be equipped with the Mammoth Bear (USSR)'s TPD-K1 laser rangefinder; when detecting an enemy tank's laser signal, it would trigger the vehicle's smoke grenade device, indicating being "destroyed."

The marking rounds used by infantry contained non-toxic paint in their warheads, leaving red or blue marks upon hitting a target.

For air power, all aircraft were equipped with marking rounds and missile simulators, interacting with ground base stations via radio signals.

When a simulated missile was launched, if it "hit" a target, the base station would send a "shot down" command to the participating helicopter or fighter jet, and the warning light in the cockpit would immediately illuminate.

In addition, the Mammoth Bear (USSR) also utilized a "military exercise computer system" for this opposing exercise.

It was used to collect real-time data on the location, firepower output, and damage of each combat unit.

For example, the T-72 tank's fire control system would automatically record the number of "hits"; when a preset threshold was reached, the system would determine the tank was "destroyed" and notify the exercise directorate via radio.

This was to ensure that this military confrontation could achieve the most realistic combat state!

Peng Lin completed a full tour of the entire assembly area, his combat boots crunching on the snow!

The entire assembly area was filled with the mixed scent of steel, diesel, and cedar, with only the intermittent encrypted communication sounds cutting through the biting Siberian wind.

A major battle would begin tomorrow!