Chapter 472: If Long Country Succeeds, What Will Happen?

"Preliminary observations indicate that Long Country has indeed constructed a series of new facilities in the northwest region, including large Radar Stations and buildings that appear to be launch facilities. However, from satellite imagery, it is difficult to determine their specific function."

Secretary of Defense Maxwell added: "We have dispatched high-altitude reconnaissance aircraft to get as close to the border line as possible for observation. But Long Country's Anti-aircraft System is very alert, and we cannot obtain clear images."

The leader tapped the tabletop irritably: "What progress has the 'Sawtooth' special operations group made?"

Foster shook his head: "Ever since the last operation failed, Long Country's protection of Li Mingyuan has become even tighter. Our agents cannot get close to the Hexin area. However, we obtained some fragmented information from a technician who mentioned a concept of 'Multi-point Cooperative Interception'."

"What does this mean?"

"Our experts are analyzing it; the preliminary guess is that it might be some kind of distributed defense system that uses multiple interception points to increase the hit probability. But without more details, it is hard to judge its feasibility."

The leader stood up and walked to the window: "Regardless, I want you to mobilize all resources and monitor this test with full effort. If—and I mean if—Long Country truly demonstrates even the most basic Missile interception capability, I want to know at the first opportunity! At the same time, secretly activate the 'Shield' project and assemble our own missile defense research team."

Meanwhile, at the underground command center of the Kremlin, the head of Beijixiong Guo also convened a similar emergency meeting.

"I do not believe Long Country has truly mastered missile defense technology," the head said calmly, fingers tapping lightly on the tabletop, "but I am also unwilling to take the risk. Comrade Kolbov, what has the intelligence department discovered?"

Intelligence Bureau Chairman Kolbov reported: "Comrade Head, we have repositioned three military reconnaissance satellites to continuously monitor the Long Country northwest test site. Preliminary observations indicate that there is indeed large-scale construction activity in the area, including multiple Radar Stations and launch facilities."

"Are there any specific technical parameters?"

"Regrettably, Long Country has done a good job with the confidentiality of these facilities. Our satellites cannot obtain images clear enough to judge their performance. However, based on energy supply and facility scale, these Radar units do possess considerable detection capability."

Minister of Defense Sokolov added: "Our border monitoring stations intercepted some technical communications that mentioned terms like 'Computing Hub' and 'Probability Interception'. Our experts are analyzing the meaning of this information."

He paused, his gaze becoming sharp: "Additionally, secretly activate the 'Steel Dome' project and assemble our own missile defense research team. Although I do not believe Long Country can succeed, defense is always more strategically valuable than offense. This is a direction we cannot ignore."

The day before the test, international media attention reached its peak. Although most commentary remained full of skepticism and ridicule, Long Country's firm attitude and the close attention of the two major powers still made some veteran observers feel uneasy.

The magazine *World Strategic Review* published a relatively neutral analytical article: "If Long Country Succeeds, What Will Happen?" The author pointed out: "Although from a technical perspective, the possibility of Long Country succeeding is minimal, if—and this is a big 'if'—they truly demonstrate even the most basic Missile interception capability, this will completely change the global strategic landscape. Missile defense systems will cause nuclear deterrence theory to face unprecedented challenges and could trigger a new arms race."

Military experts from some countries also began to re-examine Long Country's technical capabilities. A retired general cautiously stated in a television interview: "Although I still doubt that Long Country can achieve true intercontinental missile interception, the technical innovations they have shown in the 'Changfeng' series of missiles are indeed impressive. Perhaps we should not completely rule out the possibility that they have also made a breakthrough in the defense field."

Early on the morning of the test, the 404 Military Base was a scene of busyness. Technicians at various posts were nervously conducting final adjustments and checks, ensuring that every component of the "Sky Net" system was in its best state.

"Radar array is fully online, signal is stable."

"Computing Hub is operating normally, response times for all simulation units meet standards."

"Interceptor launch system check complete, all twelve interceptors are in standby status."

"Communication network test passed, latency is less than the preset threshold."

A series of short and professional reports were continuously transmitted into the command center, each message making the atmosphere at the scene even more tense.

Around the test area, the Military had already set up a tight security cordon, prohibiting any unauthorized personnel or aircraft from approaching. At the same time, to deal with possible satellite reconnaissance, special electronic jamming equipment had also been activated to ensure key facilities would not be clearly photographed.

At a specially constructed observation station about ten kilometers from the test site, media reporters and international observers from over twenty countries were already in position; they would watch this highly anticipated test from a safe distance.

Inside the command center, Li Mingyuan stood before the central console, his gaze sweeping over the various system statuses displayed on the large screen. His expression was unusually calm, as if the clamor of the outside world had nothing to do with him.

Minister Zhang walked to his side and lowered his voice: "International public opinion is still overwhelmingly questioning us; they say this is an 'impossible mission' and a 'performance that defies the laws of physics'."

Li Mingyuan smiled lightly: "Questioning is a good thing. When people are deeply convinced of something, they often overlook many details; but when they are full of doubt, they will observe even more carefully. What I want is for them to witness with their own eyes, through eyes of doubt, the entire process of this 'impossible' becoming reality."

"Are you that confident?" Minister Zhang asked, "Even among our own experts, there are those who express concern about the success rate of the first public test."

Li Mingyuan moved his gaze from the display screen and looked straight into Minister Zhang's eyes: "Minister Zhang, do you know why most people think intercepting an intercontinental missile is an impossible mission?"

"Because the technical difficulty is too great?"

"Not only that," Li Mingyuan shook his head, "more importantly, it is a mindset. They are accustomed to considering problems with the logic of single-point precision strikes, believing that interception means one missile precisely hitting another missile. But the 'Sky Net' system adopts a completely different approach—Saturated Interception, using quantity to compensate for a lack of precision."

He pointed to the system diagram on the large screen: "Look, this is not a single weapon, but a whole composed of multiple subsystems. The Radar network provides initial data, the Computing Hub predicts the trajectory, and multiple launch points fire interceptors simultaneously to form a 'barrage'. As long as one hits or explodes at close range, it can destroy or severely damage the incoming missile. This approach is almost unheard of in current military theory."