Wow, I wake up and the "Navy Thread" has morphed into a nuclear war discussion between China and the US (really though, no debate there, we all know who has 2000 plus nukes), LOL. I did feel the need to address the Israel bashing, so to say. Israeli technology is top notch, the Jewish people are intelligent and resourceful. Not to mention they have some backing from the US. But most importantly, Israeli NEEDS high tech weaponry because of where they are located!!! Short of Kashmir, they are pinned in a very unfriendly neighborhood, hence the need for cutting-edge technology in case of another armed conflict. India is a lucky beneficiary of this and it is starting to show (i.e. Phalcon, Barak II, etc.).
I agree - this is boring D**K measurement.
Let me put in my 2 cents (or 2 inches of D**K) here though.
1. Nuclear warfare is really the END - and not just END as the end of warfare, but the end of civilization as we know it. If the Chinese Nuke the Indians (highly unlikely) that would kill off all the advancements India has done in the last 60 years. When the Indians retaliate to take out the top 5-6 Chinese cities, most of the advances that China has made will disappear, both the nations will be left to pick up the pieces, with massive civilian, military and infrastructure damage. The other enemies/ competitors will sweep in like vultures to pick off what is left. Now, replace China/ India with any two other nuclear powered country and the statement remains the same - understood? So, let's leave out the bravado and foolish statements about nuclear warfare and consider conventional weapons only.
2. In a long drawn out conventional war, China will indeed beat India because the Chinese manufacturing base is BIG - probably 20 times bigger than India. Also, as we have seen during WW-2, in case of a 4-5 year long war of two equal sides (not like USA vs Afghanistan, but like USA vs Germany in WW-2), The country with more manufacturing resources can win by sheer numbers. Building 20 second grade ship which can fire missiles and torpedoes is still better than building 1-2 first grade ships. Sheer numbers will win in the long run. Now replace "Ships" with Fighters or Tanks and you get the same results. However, the long drawn out war will not only destroy India, but will also put China in so much stress that by the time the war is over, they will be weak enough to be picked apart by their other enemies/ competitors. So, it's a lose lose situation too.
2. However, the smartest way to go is for quick strike and neutralization of the economic/ military advantages of the opponent. Doing it with conventional weapons is tough, but not impossible. What they need is advanced intel - preferably ground based, but even sat-data will do. Remember, this requires long range missiles, attack aircraft, submarines and surface vessels. In this, China is ahead in missiles, India in aircraft (MKI and soon the Rafale/ EF), China in Submarines and India in surface vessels. So, this will be an interesting conflict based upon who takes what strategy, has better trained crew and has better intel.
Ace out ...
