With China and India gridlocked over their border disputes, a peaceful resolution
isn’t in sight. In fact, both nations are bolstering their military presence,
which can easily spill over into an all-out war.
If these nuclear superpowers clash, the military strength of both nations will
decide the extent of the conflict. So, which nation has a stronger army: China or India?
We’ll compare the two countries side-by-side, starting with India.
India’s military strength can be determined based on many metrics, but its land forces are one of
the most significant elements. Experiencing constant population growth since 1971,
India has also raised its number of active-duty soldiers. As of today, India has approximately
1.4 million active personnel and 300,000 reserve fighters. If needed, the country
can enlist additional troops from a pool of nearly 320 million people available for military service.
India has the edge over most other nations in terms of sheer numbers,
but it also has a high-quality training program. The country is known for its
proficiency in mountain warfare, even having a dedicated High Altitude Warfare School (HAWS),
a premier training center that prepares troops for some of the harshest battle environments.
The ability of Indian soldiers to protect their homeland at high altitudes has been demonstrated
several times throughout history. The most famous example is the battle for the Siachen glacier,
which sits at over 15,000 feet above sea level. This is the highest battlefield on the planet
and is characterized by freezing conditions where more people die from the cold than from gunfire.
The unforgiving winter didn’t stop Indian troops from prevailing over their opponents in the
Siachen Conflict, which saw India wage war against Pakistan for a 1,000-square-mile territory. The
intermittent clashes lasted for nearly 20 years and ended in a resounding victory for India that
proved the courage and readiness of its soldiers. While having reliable fighters is essential,
most of the potential war against China will take place throughout the Chinese-Indian border,
not just glaciers and other hard-to-reach areas. If India is to stand a chance against China,
it needs more than just experienced soldiers, they need an artillery force to match.
That’s exactly what India has, thanks to its $70-billion military budget. On top of this,
the country buys and develops tanks, missile systems, infantry combat vehicles,
and other equipment that cements its place as a formidable military power.
Let’s break down India’s military equipment by numbers. Currently, the country has approximately
4,600 tanks, 8,600 armored fighting vehicles, and 2,799 artillery units.
But what’s under the hood of these war machines? Is the technology modern or outdated?
As it turns out, India’s military equipment is pretty sophisticated. Take the T-90 tanks as an
example. Developed and imported from Russia, the T-90 is one of the mightiest battle machines in
India’s arsenal. The tank’s 125mm smoothbore main gun provides tremendous firepower and can fire
high-explosive frag ammunition, Refleks anti-tank missiles, and armor-piercing
fin-stabilized discarding sabot rounds. Not only that, but Indian soldiers can replace the
tank gun without disassembling the inner turret. This lets them return the tank to action faster
and more safely if its main gun is damaged. To complement a high-quality fleet of tanks,
India has a reliable system of infantry fighting vehicles. Out of the 8,600 vehicles of the sort,
the BMP-2 stands out. With a design similar to its predecessor, the BMP-2 is a serviceable and
agile vehicle with a robust engine that’s perfect for most missions. It also has reinforced armor,
especially in the front, which is typically the most vulnerable part of this type of vehicle.
The BMP-2 and most other Indian infantry combat vehicles have exceptional armament. Fitted with a
two-man turret, it can take on groups of opponents with relative ease. The vehicle comes with a
dual-fed 30mm cannon and a 73mm low-velocity gun. The cannon is especially impressive, as it fires
armor-piercing, HEI-T, and HE-FRAG ammunition. It can obliterate armored targets from 1.5 miles
away, and ground targets nearly 3 miles away. India’s land troops sound reliable, but what
about the country’s air defenses? There are several strong points in
the country’s aviation forces, including 170 fighter aircraft. Most of India’s aircraft,
like the French Dassault Rafale, are characterized by versatility and interoperability. This means
that the jets can easily conduct different kinds of missions and collaborate with allied aircraft.
They also come with advanced communication systems to coordinate their assaults with
other pilots for maximum efficiency. Another great thing about Indian fighter
jets is that they can take on different roles. For example, a pilot can instantly switch the purpose
of their plane from strike force to a protective mission. Other uses of India’s aircraft include
reversibility, which is canceling tasks at the very last second, and gathering intelligence.
Not only that, but India’s combat aircraft also have high survivability and the capacity to
engage targets in different environments. That’s because the jets feature high-efficiency weapon
systems and defense measures that keep the enemy from taking them down easily.
For instance, if Indian pilots need to defend a base or strategic area from Chinese planes,
they can do so with EM and Mica IR air-to-air missiles. Likewise, they can perform
ultra-effective precision ground assaults with built-in AASM Hammer air-to-surface and SCALP
EG cruise missiles. Finally, if the goal is to intercept and destroy enemy ships, AM39 Exocet
sea-skimming missiles can be the difference-maker. If some of the battles in the prospective war
against China take place in congested, isolated areas that fighter jets can’t
access without a runway, India has more than 700 helicopters to deploy. Some of them are utility
helicopters designed to transport troops and perform various logistics operations,
but others are combat helicopters that can shower the enemy with gunfire and missiles.
That’s precisely what the Mil Mi-24 does. Imported from Russia, the helicopter is a reliable addition
to India’s air forces. It has a revamped wing design to maintain the vertical motion of the
rotor by about 30% at high speeds and can also hold suspended weapons. It’s also equipped with
a three-wheel landing gear, double-tired front leg, and two engines that generate more than 4,000
horsepower combined. As such, the Mi-24 can reach and land in distant areas rapidly and safely.
In terms of weaponry, the Mi-24 and many other helicopters in the Indian fleet have revolving
turrets with rotating 12.7mm machine guns that can hold well over 1,400 rounds. These are perfect for
taking down groups of enemy soldiers in quick succession. India’s helicopters also often have
four blocks that can hold S-5 missiles, four bombs, and many napalm containers.
They can even store air-to-ground rockets and anti-tank guided missiles for extra firepower.
All this translates to a powerful air force, which would definitely carry a heavy
burden in the potential war against China. Another branch that would prove invaluable
in a war against China is India’s naval forces. The ongoing economic development
and greater military spending have contributed to a well-balanced navy that’s strong on all fronts.
India has over 250 naval units, 11 of which are destroyers. This class plays a
pivotal role in guarding India’s coasts and protecting them from enemy ships.
There are many high-end destroyers in India’s armada, including INS Visakhapatnam. It’s the
latest addition to its fleet and represents the pinnacle of the nation’s shipbuilding. In fact,
it’s one of the most advanced warships, not just in India but anywhere in the world. With a length
of 538 feet and weighing in at 7,400 tons, it reigns supreme in the Indian Ocean. It’s also
powered by gas propulsion that features four cutting-edge gas turbines that can propel the
warship at about 30 knots or 35 miles per hour. The weaponry of India’s destroyers is just as
impressive as the rest of the fleet. They’re fitted with a wide variety of weapons that
includes mid-range surface-to-air missiles, surface-to-surface missiles, torpedo launchers,
anti-submarine rocket launchers, and rapid gun mounts, all of which allow India to
obliterate a wide range of naval threats. Mighty destroyers aren’t the only strength
of India’s armada. The nation can also deploy more than 10 frigates, 20 corvettes,
and 15 submarines to improve its fighting chances. But the undisputed ruler of India’s fleet is INS
Vikramaditya, a Kiev-class aircraft carrier that’s struck fear into the hearts of enemies
since 2013 when it first entered service. Whether India engages its opponent or has to
defend itself, this aircraft carrier can be an ace up its sleeve. It has many destructive missiles,
such as surface-to-air projectiles, and a variety of high-caliber machine guns.
What’s also admirable about the vessel is that it can carry up to 36 planes, including 26 Mikoyan
multi-role fighters and 10 Kamov helicopters. The impressive armament means that India can not only
engage threats but also neutralize attacking enemy troops before they reach their intended targets.
And it can do so from pretty much any position. The INS Vikramaditya has
powerful engines capable of outputting 180,000 shp, or shaft horsepower, enabling the vessel
to reach high speeds and support the rest of India’s military from different locations.
Now, you’re probably thinking, “Well-trained soldiers, robust tanks, destructive fighter jets,
and a powerful navy are all nice-to-haves, but India is a nuclear force, isn’t it?”
Absolutely. Although India hasn’t officially released the size of its nuclear arsenal, some
estimates suggest that the country has more than 160 warheads at its disposal. These are, by far,
the most powerful weapons in India’s military, but we’re covering them last since India is unlikely
to use them in the potential conflict against China. If either side launched a nuclear warhead,
it would probably cause a chain reaction that could plunge the world into World War III,
which would end badly for both nations. This wraps up India’s military strength.
Let’s now turn our attention to its rival – China. Although China is known for its technological
investments, military spending comprises a large part of its GDP. More specifically, the nation
allocated nearly 2% of its GDP to the military, giving it a budget of almost $300 billion,
which is almost five times more than India. In today’s world, the country with the higher
defense budget has a stronger military 99% of the time. That seems to be the case when
it comes to today’s belligerents, but let’s analyze China’s forces segment
by segment to determine if that’s true. In terms of manpower, it’s no contest.
Even though India has surpassed China as the most populated country on the planet,
it still has fewer soldiers than China. With over 2 million active soldiers and
an additional 2 million reserve personnel, China trumps India by a wide margin in this category.
The nation can also source more troops if need be, given that the number of citizens available
for conscription is just over 385 million, about 65 million more than what India can work with.
Training-wise, China seems to do a good job of preparing its soldiers for an array of
combat conditions and environments. The Chinese People’s Liberation Army (or PLA)
regularly undergoes rigorous training, and its members are renowned for their high discipline.
But does discipline translate into combat readiness?
It’s hard to get a clear picture of how well-trained the Chinese military really
is. For one, the communist government rarely discloses details about its army,
clouding everyone’s perception of its military strength. Some sources say Chinese soldiers are
full-fledged war machines, while others are skeptical of their battle readiness.
It seems there’s more merit to the latter viewpoint. The reason is simple – the PLA
hasn’t been in a major battle for over four decades since it clashed with Vietnam in
the Sino-Vietnamese War. Even though both sides claimed victory, and it’s hard to say
who prevailed, one thing was certain – the PLA’s invasion was far from successful. Vietnam retained
its dominion over Cambodia for an additional 10 years and decimated China’s military,
killing over 30,000 soldiers. The ghost of this conflict still looms over the PLA, and the lack of
first-hand combat experience is undeniable. Only a handful of war veterans are still in service,
so it’s no wonder why many doubt that Chinese soldiers are ready for an all-out war.
Even China’s official newspaper, People’s Liberation Army Daily,
is worried about this issue, conveniently named “peace disease.” Years of peace have
resulted in unprecedented economic growth but have also undermined military readiness.
Even though China had a minor skirmish with its current regional rival in 1988,
it’s not enough to prepare its infantry for the potential high-altitude battles it may have to
engage in against Indian troops. As a result, if some of the fighting between China and India
hinges on infantry only, India’s experience with harsh environments and relatively recent combat
experience would likely pave its way to victory. But as we all know, modern warfare isn’t just
about soldiers. Sometimes, it’s all about the machinery.
Equipment plays an important role, and China seems to be head and shoulders above India
in this respect. The first area where China outperforms India is in its number of tanks.
The nation has about 5,750 tanks, which is approximately 1,000 more than the other side.
And the technology of their main battle tanks is high-level. This is most evident when you
take a look at the Chinese Type 99. Featuring reinforced armor, it can withstand the impact of
120mm projectiles with ease. Some even claim that the front of the tank provides as much protection
as 1,000mm steel armor. The vehicle also has NBC protection and modular reactive armor that
can be replaced quickly after it’s damage. Chinese tanks aren’t just durable when facing
direct impact. though. They’re equipped with technology that can keep strikes from happening
in the first place. For instance, the Type 99 features a laser protection network that
utilizes advanced lasers to disrupt incoming missiles. If the enemy deploys gunners with
bazookas or observation optics, the tank can use infrared guidance signals to stop
the opponent in their tracks. The protection system is also effective against helicopters.
To support its tank dominance, China can draw from its stockpile of more than 14,000 infantry combat
vehicles, a fleet that’s nearly twice the size of India’s. There are many highlights of China’s
infantry battle vehicles, but the ZBD-08 might be the most impressive specimen yet.
The Chinese drew inspiration for this vehicle from the Russian BMP-3. And
although the Chinese version resembles the BMP-3, it’s far more advanced. The unit has
a redefined layout that addresses many drawbacks of the Russian version, eliminating the cramped
exits and tightly packed troop compartments. It does so by putting the engine in the front
and the crew cabins in the back, giving soldiers more room to operate the vehicle.
Protection has also been elevated. The ZBD-08 has a steel hull and is compatible with modular
armor that can add even more protection. Some suggest that the front arc can endure
30mm armor-piercing projectiles, while the sides neutralize 14.5mm round with ease. Like
Chinese tanks, this vehicle employs laser protection systems to deter enemy missiles.
When it comes to armament, the ZBD-08 and the rest of the Chinese infantry combat vehicles
are just as reliable, if not more reliable, than Indian vehicles. China often installs
100mm guns on these vehicles and autoloaders that can zero in on targets from up to 2.5 miles away.
The vehicle’s weaponry is highly versatile, as it can fire anti-tank and ordinary projectiles
to neutralize India’s main battle tanks. Given the larger number of tanks and vehicles,
it’s easy to see why China’s equipment more than makes up for its lack of recent
experience. The difference between the PLA and India is even more evident when you consider
China’s air force, which consists of about 2,000 more aircraft than India’s squadron.
Among the aircraft is the high-tech Chengdu J-20 fighter jet. The stealth war machine features
supersonic inlet intakes and state-of-the-art, low-observable exhausts to maximize performance.
The central weapon bay houses long-range air-to-air and precision-guided missiles.
There are two additional weapon hubs behind the inlets primarily designed for short-range aerial
combat. These secondary bays allow the pilot to close the bay door before releasing a missile to
enhance stealth and catch the enemy off-guard. The PLA is also famous for its world-class
helicopters, like the Z-10. Developed for high-octane air-to-air combat and anti-armor
assaults, the helicopter has all it takes to decimate enemies in areas inaccessible
to the J-20 and other fighter jets. It comes with a 30mm cannon, as well as HJ-9 anti-tank
and TY-90 air-to-air missiles to vanquish different types of threats. The Z-10 can
even hold rocket pods and boasts armor plates, while the sloped sides reduce radar detection.
With China’s ground and aerial supremacy established, it’s time to assess the PLA’s
naval capabilities. Does India at least stand a chance in this arena?
Probably not, considering the size of the Chinese armada. The country
has nearly 750 naval units, dwarfing the 250 Indian vessels has at its disposal.
The fact that China would emerge victorious in naval combat is even more obvious when you take
the technology of the PLA’s fleet into account. For example, the Type 055 destroyer is a mighty
warship that can annihilate pretty much anything in its path stealthily. The enclosed forecastle
conceals its anchor chains, mooring points, and other sections that would otherwise alert
enemy radars and ships. It’s even equipped with an advanced smokestack design that further eliminates
the risk of detection and infrared signature. Regarding weapons, it hardly gets any better
than Chinese destroyers. With 112 launching cells, the PLA’s fleet can fire virtually any
type of missiles, including HHQ-9 surface-to-air, YJ-18 anti-ship,
CJ-10 land-attack, and anti-submarine projectiles. To double down on its naval strength, the PLA can
deploy three more aircraft carriers than India, with the highlight being the Fujian. It’s the
largest of all Chinese carriers and even rivals the USS Ford nuclear-powered vessel. It features
electromagnetic catapults to launch heavier aircraft faster, eight oil-fired boilers,
and steam turbines that generate a whopping 220,000 horsepower for quick transportation.
In the nuclear department, it’s estimated that China has over 400 nuclear warheads,
compared to India’s estimated 160. Should the potential war escalate drastically,
China would handily overwhelm India. This brings us back to the central question:
whose military is more powerful? Without any doubt, China’s military is superior to
India’s and by a large margin. The only area where India may outperform China is soldier training.
Everything else, including tanks, infantry combat vehicles, aircraft, naval forces,
and nuclear weapons, favors China. Now check each country’s plan if the
war escalated with “China's World War 3 Plan” or ”India's World War 3 Plan!”