Just at that moment, the two Su-37 Terminator fighter jets trailing behind suddenly fired multiple air-to-air missiles with automatic tracking capabilities! Each missile was equipped with a target detection system, locking onto the drones and making it nearly impossible for them to escape!
In the blink of an eye, as soon as the missiles were launched, bright red flames ignited at their tails. With a piercing whistle and an almost imperceptible speed, they streaked toward the three drones that were rapidly climbing.
Within mere seconds, the air-to-air missiles struck the drones' tails. A series of violent explosions erupted in the sky, capturing the undivided attention of Shen Hongshen and the Air Force officers inside the helicopter.
They couldn't help but admire and praise the performance of Russia's two Su-37 Terminator fighter jets.
"The accuracy of these Russian air-to-air missiles is incredible! Even when the target aircraft climbed so sharply, they still managed to lock on and hit. That's impressive!" an Air Force officer who had witnessed the entire scene exclaimed.
"The Su-37 Terminator truly lives up to its reputation as a fourth-generation fighter! Its air combat capability is absolutely formidable!" another pilot, who was also flying a fighter jet, remarked in admiration.
Senior officer Shen Hongshen remained silent, watching the explosive spectacle unfold before him. At that moment, a thought crossed his mind—if their Air Force could be equipped with these fourth-generation Russian aircraft, their strength would increase dramatically!
"Mr. Mavi, your Russian Su-37 fighter jets…" Shen Hongshen had just begun to ask about the Terminator jets—
But what he saw next made him abruptly stop mid-sentence.
Because at that very moment, he suddenly noticed several air-to-air missiles streaking toward them—no, wait!
The reality was even more shocking: five sky-blue Su-24 fighter-bombers had suddenly appeared, flying in at supersonic speed from the right side of the mountains, heading straight toward the exercise area!
To prepare his guests, Mavi calmly offered a brief warning. "Mr. Shen Hongshen, in just a moment, these five Su-24 fighter-bombers will be conducting a carpet-bombing operation in this area ahead of us."
Upon hearing this, Shen Hongshen instinctively glanced down from the helicopter. Below them was a steep mountainside. If it were to be bombed, he imagined the sheer devastation—rocks blasted into the air, firepower engulfing everything...
It wasn't long before the five supersonic Su-24 bombers closed in on their helicopter formation!
Inside the cabin, the Air Force officers who witnessed this moment nearly broke into a cold sweat! They hadn't heard Mavi's explanation and had no idea what was happening.
Then, in a split second—
The five Su-24 bombers suddenly executed a steep dive, roaring past Mavi and the others' helicopter formation!
Immediately after, from beneath their fuselages, an astonishing eight tons of bombs per plane began dropping like raindrops from their wings! Five bombers—40 tons of bombs! The equivalent of 300 tons of TNT!
Countless bombs rained down, the scene eerily quiet, like the calm before a storm. There was no time to think—everyone could only stare at the sight unfolding before them, watching as the bombs plummeted toward the ground at free-fall speed!
In a flash, the first wave of bombs struck the steep mountainside. And then—BOOM!
A series of deafening explosions erupted, sending terrifying shockwaves and searing flames sweeping across the landscape! The once-solid rocks shattered into countless fragments, debris flying in all directions! Intense flames engulfed the area, sending thick black smoke and dust billowing into the air.
Barely moments after the first explosions, the full-scale carpet-bombing sequence unleashed its devastation before their eyes!
BOOM! BOOM! BOOM!
BOOM! BOOM! BOOM! BOOM!
Even though Mavi and the others were wearing noise-canceling headsets, they couldn't fully block out the overwhelming roar of 40 tons of bombs detonating! After all, this was the equivalent of a 300-ton TNT explosion!
The sheer destruction could only be described with two words—shocking and terrifying.
The earth-shattering blasts transformed the mountainside below into a sea of fire. Thick, black smoke engulfed the entire mountainous region. The force of the explosions compressed the air, causing Mavi and the others inside the helicopter to feel a noticeable tremor in the cabin.
Thankfully, since they were at a safe distance, the shaking didn't last long and posed no real danger to them. In the end, they were able to witness the entire jaw-dropping air force exercise without incident.
As Shen Hongshen looked at the mountainside—now nearly leveled by the bombardment—he couldn't help but sigh in amazement. "That was truly spectacular, Mr. Mavi! Those five bombers—are they Su-24s?"
Gazing at the fiery ruins ahead, even Mavi was momentarily taken aback. This was his first time witnessing a full-scale carpet bombing in person. The sheer scale and impact of it would be unforgettable for a lifetime...
Cough! Regaining his composure, Mavi nodded and explained, "Yes, Mr. Shen Hongshen, those were our Russian-made Su-24 fighter-bombers. In addition to carrying approximately eight tons of bombs, they are also equipped with a GSh-6-23 23mm six-barrel Gatling gun. In terms of air-to-ground missile capabilities, the base model can carry Kh-23 or Kh-23M radar-guided missiles with a range of five kilometers, and it can be armed with four of them..."
After collecting himself, Mavi enthusiastically provided the Air Force officers with a detailed introduction to the Su-24 fighter-bombers they had just witnessed.
Compared to the specifications found in official documents, nothing could demonstrate a fighter jet's power as directly and vividly as seeing it in live action.
From the intense fighter jet chase and the pinpoint accuracy of the air-to-air missiles to the devastating carpet-bombing, every moment left a deep impression on Shen Hongshen and his Air Force officers, making them truly grasp the formidable strength of the Russian Air Force.
After witnessing this awe-inspiring air force exercise, Mavi led the group to visit Russia's Air Force command center. That evening, they were treated to a lavish banquet. This hospitality lasted for three full days—enough to make them feel like they were putting on weight!
Before their departure, the Chinese Air Force officers expressed their sincere gratitude to Mavi for his generous hospitality.
"Mr. Mavi, if you ever have the chance to visit our country, please be sure to let us know in advance!" Shen Hongshen warmly shook Mavi's right hand as he spoke.
"Of course, Mr. Shen Hongshen. I certainly will." In this new life, Mavi was thriving beyond imagination. Some mornings, he would wake up questioning whether this was all just a dream. But the reality was clear—this was no dream.
…
After officially bidding farewell to the Chinese Air Force delegation, Mavi gave them time to deliberate on the potential acquisition of Russian fighter jets. Such a decision wasn't something that could be made by just one person—it required a formal process.
At the airport, after seeing off his Chinese guests, Mavi finally had the chance to relax like a carefree recluse—lounging at home, petting his bear, playing with his tiger, and taking care of his one-month-old lion cub, Xinbei.
(End of Chapter)