Although neither China nor India hope that the limited conflicts in the Ladakh region will evolve into large-scale armed conflicts, on the eve of the defense minister level talks in Moscow, the Chinese army has obviously been prepared to deal with the Indian army’s cross-border offensive and occupation and plans to take the border conflict as a battlefield to test new weapons and military equipment. There is an intention that the Chinese troops welcome the opportunity to train the capability and combat effectiveness in a real war after having not been involved in real military operations for many years.
A team of the fifth-generation J-20 stealth fighters of the Chinese Air Force has been deployed at a base of reasonable distance from the border area where the conflict might occur, ready to challenge the Rafale fighters India has purchased from Europe recently. The advantage of the new regular Chinese J-10C fighters are claimed to be able to face the Rafale fighters according to military analysts, and undoubtedly the new J-20 fighters are definitely able to defeat the Rafale one to five, based on the tactical data from a few exercises performed by the Chinese Air Force in recent years. On the other hand, although the Rafale is advanced in technology, the Indian pilots have not well trained with enough flight hours to achieve the adaptability, making it difficult to maximize the fighter’s combat power.
It is reported that Indian top level officials are worried about the J-20’s presence in the border area. The latest development is that the Indian Minister of Foreign Affairs made a voice of “hoping to resolve the conflict through diplomatic means.” This is the official cautious posture amid the heat of nationalism in India, and the Indian leadership is clear about its military power which is difficult to suppress the Chinese army. But the stance it takes in the border row is merely an approach to divert the attention of Indians from the heavy pandemic and economic difficulties in the country.
Although the number of Chinese troops is unclear and not in the scale as the Indian opponents deployed on the border, world public opinion affirmed the overwhelming superiority of the Chinese military because of its sophisticated weapons and confidence in victory. Judging from the soft tone of the Chinese Ministry of Foreign Affairs, it is trying cool down the tension, emphasizing that China and India should maintain a peaceful coexistence for the development of both sides. The response of China is a sign of self confidence in dealing with any conflicts and wars with the Indians. On the other side, the spokesperson of the Chinese military strongly condemned the cross-border provocation of the Indian army and maintained the military’s consistent position by warning the Indians.
The source from China said that in response to the limited conflict and war with India, the Chinese army has assigned a number of new weapons, such as the powerful light tanks suitable for high altitude operations, medium and long-range rocket launchers, 155mm self-propelled artillery, anti-tank missiles, and missile launchers for individual soldiers, strategic bombers, integrated search and strike drones, laser weapons, and some undisclosed weapons are also prepared. These new equipment have never been tested in real war, although they have been used in plenty of exercises before. If a border war between China and India really happens, the Chinese army will turn the battlefield into a testing ground for weapons and equipment, hoping to defeat the Indian army by a numerically smaller army.
The Chinese army’s long-range rockets have an attack range of 300 kilometers, which can threaten the entire Indian border transport network and even attack New Delhi. The Indian army uses military equipment imported from various countries with different specifications, which needs a reliable and strong logistic system. If the transport line is attached, it will destroy the capability and morale of the Indian army.
The matured infrastructure makes the Chinese army’s defensive facilities much solid than the Indian army’s World War II-style defensive positions. From the reinforced concrete structure, the Chinese can easily destroy Indians’ observation posts and check points built with sandbags. Even the fixed fortresses of the Indian army cannot withstand the attack of tank missiles of the Chinese army. The transportation lines the Indian army hastily built are of poor quality and are easily cut off by artillery fire, and landslides threaten the movement of military vehicles any time. The most important thing is that the Indian army has located too many people in the narrow border area valley, and the logistics supply is difficult. As the drawing near winter and lack of cold proof materials, there will be difficulties in replenishment, and non-combat attrition is most likely to occur. Meanwhile, the Chinese army is taking the quiet approach and waiting for the Indians fagged out. In the cold, the lack of defense in the valley is a tactical taboo, causing the Indian army in a dilemma.
