Countering Chinese "String of Pearls"

[arnabmit]

Indian options to counter the Chinese "String of Pearls". All of these can act as listening & monitoring posts as well as static supercarriers.

1) Google Maps - To monitor the Strait of Malacca.

2) Google Maps - To monitor Chinese base in Myanmar

3) Google Maps - Prospective location of airbase beside upcoming Sagar Island Deep sea port to monitor Chinese base in Chittagong

4) Google Maps - Prospective location of airbase to monitor Chinese base in Maldives

5) Google Maps - To monitor Chinese shipping lanes in Arabian Sea

Apart from that, foreign friendlies may also allow locations for:

1) listening post and possible air base in Oman - Google Maps

2) Naval base in Chabahar - Google Maps

Even if the foreign areas are denied access to us, the 5 locations in our own lands should be enough to defeat the Chinese "String of Pearls".

Please discuss...

 

[arnabmit]

@Ray @Decklander @Kunal Biswas @nrj @pmaitra @Daredevil @Singh @Yusuf @Patriot

Please share your views...

 

[Kunal Biswas]

In Simple words, Strengthen the fortifications of what we have..

About the String of pearls, these are mainly commercial ports and have little Military infrastructure, though they are fully able to refuel and resupply Subs and WarShips..

 

[Decklander]

This string of pearls is not so much of a problem for us as it is for China. We have only one idiotic country in our part of the world and that is Pakistan. But China has everyone in SCS as its enemy. We too have started the process of supporting these countries in SCS who have some issues with China. China will find itself completely bottled up in its waters once Vietnam, Malaysia and other countries start deploying Brahmos missiles. Let us see how many ships of PLAN will be able to escape and attack any kind of ship anywhere in the world.

 

[arnabmit]

@Kunal Biswas @Decklander what is the strategic importance of all the 5 Indian and 2 foreign locations in the first post? Individually, which ones are feasible and which ones are not?

 

[Decklander]

The naval bases in Pak, SL, Myanmar and Maldives are of no use to china as such as they are very close to Indian borders and need a long passage from Indian dominated waters. Proper permanant military and airbases in these places can be a cause of concern for India. However, we too can reach just the backyard of China from Vietnam, Combodia, Philipines and Japan. If you look at the map of Malcca st and that of the SCS, you will realise what cost PLAN will have to pay to navigate thru those waters shud they go into offensive against India. Regarding their land borders in Tibet, India has much better relations with Tibettans and we can do much more damage to them in that area. Our base in Oman is just a listening and monitoring base like china has in coco islands in A&N. You must have read in the news papers recently that PLAN subs were picked up and tracked on 100% occassions that they ventured in IOR by IN. We start trailing them the moment they come to Malacca st. In addition we have our own or friendly assets on grnd in those ports where PLAN ships/subs can refuel.
Chabahar port for us is what Gwader is for china. Its a gateway and not a military port. We can hit anywhere in Persian gulf with our shore based Su-30s anytime without the need for A2A refueling from bases on our western coast. The distance from Mumbai to Dubai is just about 986 Nms and it is less from Jamnagar/Bhuj/Nalia airbases.
The real thing for Pak & China to worry about is our airbase in CIS for protection of Afganistan.

 

[Patriot]

Chinese are playing smart games & some of their moves are gimmicks & some are strategic. Chinese at present are trying to divert our attention towards our areas of weakness like our depleting underwater strength & our neighbours. To develope challangeble underwater strength shall consume lot of time & resources instead on immediate basis we got to develope strong ASW capability through our Naval Air assets like P-8Is & may add some other platforms along with naval helicopters. For neighbours we need to focus on Barma Bangladesh & Bhutan anddevelope our foot hold over there.

As Decklander & Kunal Sir has given very practical analysis to counter the Chinese, but we need to act fast & smart as our resources are limited , we can not afford to splurge too much in order to match their each & every move. We need to be proactive to counter their anticipated moves.

China's main problem is it's fuel & energy requirement, if we can develop our ability to choke that as the situation demands, we shall have upper hand on them.

Basic fundamental to kill sombody of big size & mighty either attack on it's heart or suffocate it. For that we must make A & N base formidable one which can hold it's on as it shall give us the ability to suffocate it as well as strike it. At A&N we must develope strong Naval attack Air wing in terms of ASW, surveillance, ASW ships base as well as Super SU-30 MKI base along with amphibious force. Some of the suggested move we have alrady made or in the process like establishing the tri-services command etc, but our speed is bit slow. Similarly we can develope a strong base at Lakshdeep. I would also like to prefer to enrope Mauritus, Seychelles as our support base & listening post. We also need to develope strength at our Rajali base in Tamilnadu, specially Naval Air Strike & Amphibious force, it shall keep Chinese romance in Lanka on watch.

As I was talking about the smart moves , we must have our watchdog in space, our navy needs capable sattelites, which shall provide us subtle capability to monitor their most of activities. Apart from that just give strength to SCS countries to hold against Chinese by way of arms & diplomacy. Above all we must develope strong inroad inside our neighbours through economical ties & business. After all it's all about interests & security only

Just my opinion, Chinese our very insecure as their projected mass build up & frequent show off/tantrums of their might refelects it. They lack inner strength & exprience to fight a sustained war. We got to ignore their tantrums rather focus on their strategic moves.

Chinese moves our multiprong which can overwhelm any country hence to counter it our strategy has to be comprehensive & subtle.

First thing first we need to plug our key gaps first: relation with neighbours & our defence infrastructure & ability to suffocate and hit at heart.

 

[ice berg]

This string of pearls is not so much of a problem for us as it is for China. We have only one idiotic country in our part of the world and that is Pakistan. But China has everyone in SCS as its enemy. We too have started the process of supporting these countries in SCS who have some issues with China. China will find itself completely bottled up in its waters once Vietnam, Malaysia and other countries start deploying Brahmos missiles. Let us see how many ships of PLAN will be able to escape and attack any kind of ship anywhere in the world.

China only has problems with Vietnam, Phillipine and Japan.
No need to exaggerate it.

India isnt that popular in South Asia either.

And you can forget your hyped brahmos. Vietnam already bought their russian missiles.

 

[arya]

govt of india will not accept your view , china is our friend we have trade with them and even we can play aman ki asha .

 

[t_co]

This string of pearls is not so much of a problem for us as it is for China. We have only one idiotic country in our part of the world and that is Pakistan. But China has everyone in SCS as its enemy. We too have started the process of supporting these countries in SCS who have some issues with China. China will find itself completely bottled up in its waters once Vietnam, Malaysia and other countries start deploying Brahmos missiles. Let us see how many ships of PLAN will be able to escape and attack any kind of ship anywhere in the world.

You're forgetting Sri Lanka and Bangladesh.

Also, why would SCS countries even care in a Sino-Indian confrontation? What would they have to gain by attacking Chinese ships?

 

[Srinivas_K]

@arnabmit donot be paranoid, BD and Maldives do not offer any military bases to China, even if they offer it is a matter of minutes to make them unusable for IAF.

Regarding the Chinese string of pearls strategy, we have Islands located at strategic location in IOR which can act as unsinkable carriers. If we can strengthen these base Chinese subs or battle ships will be hunted in IOR.

 

[Srinivas_K]

You're forgetting Sri Lanka and Bangladesh.

Also, why would SCS countries even care in a Sino-Indian confrontation? What would they have to gain by attacking Chinese ships?

Srilanka and Bangladesh

Last time when China voted in favor of Srilanka , BD didn't vote just like Russia.

And Srilanka is very near to India, and Srilanka will not involve in China and India conflict.

Only Nation that is burning its as$ and wanting blows is Pakistan and We know how to take care of it. As we have done it in 1965,1971,1999 :thumb:

 

[arnabmit]

Not paranoia, but strategic defence planning

@arnabmit donot be paranoid, BD and Maldives do not offer any military bases to China, even if they offer it is a matter of minutes to make them unusable for IAF.

Regarding the Chinese string of pearls strategy, we have Islands located at strategic location in IOR which can act as unsinkable carriers. If we can strengthen these base Chinese subs or battle ships will be hunted in IOR.

 

[arnabmit]

Aah... I was partially right atleast...

India gets first Poseidon-8 I jet to keep watch over Indian Ocean region | idrw.org

"The construction of additional bases and naval air stations in A&N Islands and Lakshadweep & Minicoy islands is necessary to extend our operational reach," said defence minister A K Antony in an address to the naval top brass on Tuesday.

 

[Bhadra]

You're forgetting Sri Lanka and Bangladesh.

Also, why would SCS countries even care in a Sino-Indian confrontation? What would they have to gain by attacking Chinese ships?

They will gain their self respect, pride and independence from Chinese hegemony

 

[Bhadra]

Maldives, Sri Lanka and Bangladesh and even Myanmar are unlikely to give the Chinese Navy bases.... All these countries are not Pakistan...

Chinese are participating in building their ports may be for commercial reasons...

 

[arnabmit]

Do you doubt he power of money? "Hope for the best, prepare for the worst"

Maldives, Sri Lanka and Bangladesh and even Myanmar are unlikely to give the Chinese Navy bases.... All these countries are not Pakistan...

Chinese are participating in building their ports may be for commercial reasons...

 

[Kunal Biswas]

Militarization through Commercial means..

Do you doubt he power of money? "Hope for the best, prepare for the worst":

 

[arnabmit]

Exactly... China always develops infra under the guise of civilian development. However what people do not understand is that any civilian infra can be commandeered during war, even if in a foreign territory, and deal with repercussions later.

Militarization through Commercial means..

 

[t_co]

They will gain their self respect, pride and independence from Chinese hegemony

Nations act for their interests first and foremost. Imagine you are Vietnam and you attack the Chinese Navy as it transits the SCS. The very next day, six Group Armies are mobilizing to invade and dismember your country, and you are not under the US security or nuclear umbrella. Would you do something like that?