India vs China, who wins in a conventional war? (no nukes)

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kage69

Lifer
Jul 17, 2003
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Of course it would be China if it's just those two. They're rapidly gaining on the US militarily.

I recommend reading more into it. I think you'll find the Chinese emphasis on a new Navy, while helpful to their maritime expansion, won't really be delivering any victories in the Himalayas. China's cruise missile supply is more of an issue. India has some really creative, effective people in their leadership, something we've seen in all branches of their military. Woe to any Chinese that find themselves facing Gurkhas too. That usually doesn't end well. China has a new high altitude tank they seem pretty proud of, though tanks in the mountains reminds me of using them in cities. I imagine their expertise in drones will be challenged by near constant strong winds of the location.


Quantity has a quality all it's own, that's true, but simple math can't account for everything. Would you rather play ball against a young, spry amateur team with brand new, state of the art gear and new uniforms - or a MLB team, who are just wearing weekend clothes and using gloves that came from Walmart?
 
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Ajay

Lifer
Jan 8, 2001
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Of course it would be China if it's just those two. They're rapidly gaining on the US militarily.
They are spending more, about 20% of the US budget. However, the US puts in allot more time into training and we've fought some wars recently. The huge Chinese army is, well, lame and unmotivated.
 

brainhulk

Diamond Member
Sep 14, 2007
9,376
454
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A famous philosopher once said it is a blunder to get involved in a land war in asia.

That being said, since neither of these modern armies are battle tested in the mountains, anything can happen in the fog of war.
 
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Nov 17, 2019
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India-China-Pakistan-Border-Map.jpg


I see no problem here. Give the shaded areas back to Pakistan and/or China to negotiate. Pull ALL Indian troops out.
 

ultimatebob

Lifer
Jul 1, 2001
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Who's doing the invading in this case?

India's military is weak, but the Himalayas are a great place to hold a fortified position until reinforcements from India's allies like the UK or the US arrived.

I could see Trump wanting in on this action, since he hates China and wants to look like a tough guy wartime president.
 

WelshBloke

Lifer
Jan 12, 2005
31,441
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war in mountain ranges is serious business and will take a lot of $ and logistics to win, what's the objective in this?
This.

Neither side is going to want to spend the money or manpower to gain control over (and suffer the ongoing problems after) those areas (which aren't particularly valuable in any way).

Minor border skirmishes are going to go on for ever and both sides use them as propaganda tools to get the nationalist juices going in their populations but neither side wants them to escalate.
Hell both sides disarmed their troops on those borders so the last skirmish was fought with clubs and sticks!
 

JTsyo

Lifer
Nov 18, 2007
11,817
952
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gentleman's agreement of no nukes allowed, who wins if they fight in those mountains?

They are both "no first use" policy nations, so we shouldn't see nukes. In a full war I see China winning. They are just bigger adn I think it's easier for them to sell the war to the public than for India. Though both nations are pretty nationalistic currently.
 

Captante

Lifer
Oct 20, 2003
30,316
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Would you rather play ball against a young, spry amateur team with brand new, state of the art gear and new uniforms - or a MLB team, who are just wearing weekend clothes and using gloves that came from Walmart?


The amateurs and its not close.

Its the singer not the song.
 

Red Squirrel

No Lifer
May 24, 2003
68,459
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www.anyf.ca
India has lot of engineers, but China has lot of factories. Tons and tons of cheap weapons vs fewer good ones... tough call, I think China would win just due to numbers. More people and more manufacturing power.

If allies/outside help is involved, I think more countries would support India than China... though it's hard to tell really as lot of countries are in bed with China and don't want to harm that diplomacy.
 

zinfamous

No Lifer
Jul 12, 2006
111,136
30,085
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Gandhi was always super-aggressive and his special elephant units would steam-roll China's special mounted bowmen, anyway. China would never make it into the Feudal period.
 

Ajay

Lifer
Jan 8, 2001
16,094
8,109
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They are both "no first use" policy nations, so we shouldn't see nukes. In a full war I see China winning. They are just bigger adn I think it's easier for them to sell the war to the public than for India. Though both nations are pretty nationalistic currently.
And as soon as India starts to lose, they break out the tactical nukes to push back the Chinese troops. Which is why this is a silly question.
 

ElFenix

Elite Member
Super Moderator
Mar 20, 2000
102,358
8,447
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The amateurs and its not close.

Its the singer not the song.
This is objectively wrong. I'd much rather play an MLB team. Get some autographs and some stories that people might actually be interested in. No one wants to hear about the time you played some little leaguers.
 

Captante

Lifer
Oct 20, 2003
30,316
10,814
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This is objectively wrong. I'd much rather play an MLB team. Get some autographs and some stories that people might actually be interested in. No one wants to hear about the time you played some little leaguers.


Well when you put it THAT way lol ;)
 

Scarpozzi

Lifer
Jun 13, 2000
26,389
1,778
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I am sure they never fight.
China doesn't want their troops to come into contact with the Indian variant of the disease the Chinese created in their lab.

I'm disheartened by how bad Covid has affected India the past 5 months. :disrelieved:
 

ultimatebob

Lifer
Jul 1, 2001
25,134
2,446
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I just realized that the correct answer to this question was "You can't trust India not to use nukes, Ghandi is a sneaky MF'er"!
 

Torn Mind

Lifer
Nov 25, 2012
11,897
2,716
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Both societies are cheap cost-cutters.

Hard to say who will have unreliable items that break first.