Aathithya2
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As war is in the backyard, try to understand the strengths and capabilities of India and China in the area of mountain warfare., Seniors please post your thoughts.
I don't have real numbers here, but I am guessing we have more mountain ready troops. Acclimatization is the biggest factor, no matter how well you are trained.Isn't the biggest factor the state of training in mountain warfare for both countries, and the number of troops trained?
I just ask the question because I don't know the answer.
Also, is China more willing to accept casualties than India? Perhaps a relevant question for any environment.
I have been to both Nathula Pass and Rohtang Pass, one in the Eastern Himalayas and the other in the Western Himalayas. I do not see why there should be any difference when it comes to temperature, terrain or height. Perhaps you can tell us what the differences are?Did you mean "Best" or "Better"?
Also, which mountain? Where? The Northeastern Himalayas? The craggy passes of Sikkim? The Tibetan Plateau? The heights of Leh/ Ladakh? Each is a very different environment and require very different kinds of troops, training, equipment and tactics.
If you can specify what you mean, we can answer better.
So it will be easy for PRC to invade from Arunachal than from Himachal? Conversely, it will be the same for India as well?Well, the comparison would not be between the Nathu la (4310 m) and the Rohtang Pass (3978 m) - the Rohtang only connects Kullu valley to Lahul and Spiti valley. The passes in that area which connect to Tibet are the Passes in Pithoragarh District like Lampiya Dhura- (5,530 m);` Lipu-Lekh pass - (5,450 m); Lowe Dhura- (5,562 m); Mangshya Dhura- (5,630 m); Nuwe Dhura- (5,650 m) - all of which are a thousand meters or higher than the Nathu la, making them even less accessible than the Nathu la both in terms of time and materials. Rohtang Pass is open from May to November, while Lipu-Lekh is open from June to September only.
These passes in the northwestern Himalayas are also considerably more difficult to navigate than the Nathu la, which was a part of the ancient Silk road.
The passes in the arunachal are far less in altitude than the Nathu la and are considerably more navigable.
I am sure I do not have to talk about passes in Ladakh - the very meaning of the name is :high passes".
The question is can we get our equipment up there? If yes, how much and how quickly? Remember, from Indian side, it is a steep rise. Not quite on the PRC side. What I would think of is establish air superiority along the Indo-Tibetan border and then airlift our light and medium armour like this:In 1965 when Pak was close to Akhnoor, Indian army opened a front on the IB.
In the Chinese context, in the plains if the Chinese make gains because of theim being better, does India have the capability to do what we did against Pak and open fronts in mountain where we are superior in terms of training and with newer equipment coming in?
I am trying to understand here that which side is having better experienced soldiers and equipments. As i aware success of mountain warfare depends on logistical support and numerous factors like local people support and terrain, environment knowledge and so on.., If the war happens, it could begin in AP but due course of time the whole Himalayan range and adjacent passes get involved, therefore it is no localized war as China will try to win the initiated war at any cause to prove the supermacy.Did you mean "Best" or "Better"?
Also, which mountain? Where? The Northeastern Himalayas? The craggy passes of Sikkim? The Tibetan Plateau? The heights of Leh/ Ladakh? Each is a very different environment and require very different kinds of troops, training, equipment and tactics.
If you can specify what you mean, we can answer better.