What if China declares war on India or it happens to be the other way around (Highly unlikely) , is India strong enough to strike back ?
April 15 marked the event of China’s People’s Liberation Army’s (PLA) intrusion and setting up of temporary tents on the Indian territory. This acts as a signal of the reluctance of China to claim the resourceful Indian land. There is nothing new about this territory dispute, but their setting up of temporary fortification on the Indian land is a clear sign that China is not ready to give up this time. The government hasn’t yet responded to this in the required manner and is attempting to negotiate with China.
Back in 1962 India lost war to China over the same issue , the non demarcated boundary has then since been a matter of conflict. The Chinese army has since been intervening regularly but this has now gone far beyond the limit.
Now that China signals for a possible war, let us analyze what does this have to mean and what do the number and stats say about comparison between the military strengths of the two countries.
Let’s start off with a few lesser known facts :
- India is the world’s largest importer of military goods.
- India has joined the Nuclear Power’s elite club which previously included USA, China, France and Russia with the development of ICBM (Inter-Continental Ballistic Missile) AGNI-V.
- India is one of the few countries operating an Aircraft carrier.
Countries that Operate Aircraft Carriers Blue (Currently Operating) Light Blue (Once Operated)
Land Military Power – India vs China
| Comparison (2013) |
INDIA
|
CHINA
|
| Tanks | 3,555 | 7,950 |
| Armored Fighting Vehicles | 2,293 | 18,700 |
| Self-Propelled Gun | 330 | 2,500 |
| Towed Artillery Pieces | 6,585 | 25,000 |
| Rocket Projectors | 292 | 2,600 |
| Portable AT Weapons | 51,800 | 31,250 |
| Logistical Vehicles | 70,000 | 75,850 |
Air Force – India vs China
| Comparison (2013) |
INDIA
|
CHINA
|
| Aircraft | 1,962 | 5,048 |
| Helicopters | 620 | 901 |
Navy – India vs China
| Comparison (2013) |
INDIA
|
CHINA
|
| Frigates | 14 | 47 |
| Destroyers | 8 | 25 |
| Corvettes | 24 | 0 |
| Submarines | 15 | 63 |
| Coastal Craft | 31 | 322 |
| Mine Warfare | 8 | 52 |
| Amphibious Assault | 16 | 228 |
Military Expenditure of India and China
| Comparison (2013) |
INDIA
|
CHINA
|
| Defense Budget Allotment | $46.2 Billion Rs. 2.513 Lakh Crore | $129.2 Billion |
| External Debt | $287 Billion Rs. 15.6 Lakh Crore | $656 Billion |
| Reserves of Foreign Exchange and Gold | $297 Billion | $3236 Billion |
| Purchasing Power Parity | $4515 Billion | $11440 Billion |
India falls far behind China in every comparison criterion, it is no rocket science to predict the consequences of a war between the two nuclear powers. The 1962 event may repeat itself with India losing again, but does that have to mean that India should stay quiet and overlook the activities of China ?
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