Unsuccessful Chinese Invasion across Himalayas
Chinese may be misleading a few, not so successful, Indian journalists. To them, they provide information about Chinese might with 1.8 million men under arms without saying that, that might is all positioned in the east to face up US, Taiwan, Japan, Vietnam and Phillipines, etc. They can position no more than what they already have in Tibet and Sinkiang, which is not much, compared to what India can throw at them in a short interval. India has 1.4 million well armed men under arms with half of them available for China duty, all equipped to smash the Chinese crossing the Himalayas.
The Himalayas are difficult to cross with snow-covered peaks rising to 25,000 feet and valleys falling to 10,000 feet alternating over the breadth of the Himalayas for 200 miles. There are some passes that allow two-way traffic in small numbers, but huge armies can't get through. In 1962, the Chinese knew the inept Indian command structure and used two passes to infiltrate and encircle the SELA and Tawang area. Although the Indian soldiers and their captains were dug in for a fight, but the Command gave a retreat order. That retreat turned into a rout. The rest is history. Moreover the advancing Chinese units were in a precarious state themselves. Without provisions, the Chinese soldiers who had walked for two days through the passes in snow and cold would have surrendered to the Indian army, but the Indian retreat/rout order came first and Chinese carried the day and used the provisions left behind.
Things are completely different now. Much of the preparedness is in the rear. The army in the forward areas can summon the troops back very quickly. The existing road network makes this possible. Only two years back India rushed 50,000 troops to the forward areas when Chinese created a mischief by moving a bit forward at a number of points in Ladakh. India occupied Kailash Heights and threatened their supply line and headquarters. The Chinese withdrew after India agreed to move out of the occupied heights. A similar situation exists to Chinese communications line to Galwan River valley. Moreover a very strong defensive position has been built across Galwan River to protect the Indian DSDBO road hence the Chinese chose to retreat several kilometers along the river.
The fact of the matter is the Chinese are not in a position to move forward in the Himalayas. They have already tasted Indian iron fists in the Galwan River Valley fist fight. But the feeling of psychological superiority that they have created for themselves, thanks to our low-grade paid journalists, still stays.
Since the Himalayas are tall mountains and valleys, the motorized mobile warfare is not possible. No major tank battles or tank raids are possible. The most powerful weapon is a well-supplied soldier. Surveillance, artillery, communications gear play their role. Missiles, the air force and UAVs are strategic weapons. Their presence effectively limits the enemy's ambitions. The other effective weapon in the Himalayan combat is the supply line. India has built new roads, bridges and tunnels to effectively keep supply line secure. The Chinese rear is a 5-7,000 foot hilltop plateau, but they still have to climb the mountain to reach India. That is where Indian Army will be waiting for a warm reception.
The quality of the military equipment the Chinese army is equipped with is questionable. Their HQ9 air defence system which is a Chinese copy of the Russian S-300 is a useless piece of hardware. A fast flying missile could not be detected by it, let alone shoot it down. It has been proven in a recent accidental firing of Brahmos missile into Pakistan. They could not detect it while in flight. Chinese best stealth fighters are easy target for Indian Rafale. Its very basic weapon for a soldier, the QBZ-95 rifle is well below the Sig-716 rifle made in the United States or the Ak-203 rifle made in Russia. The Chinese have no mountain artillery comparable to M777 that could be placed on a mountain peaks with a helicopter and moved from peak to peak. They also have worst performing conscript soldiers Who come to spend their three years and then leave. We saw them in action during Galwan clash. The performance of their logistics trucks are as bad as shown on the internet with blown up tires in the Ukrainian war. India has learnt the hard way and equipped itself with the non Chinese right equipment.
Hence, the reader should stop believing in Chinese superiority.
