An Indian army convoy moves on the Srinagar-Ladakh highway in Gagangeer, northeast of Srinagar, on Wednesday. (AP)
The Galwan clashes, where 20 Indian army personnel died, was one of the largest clashes between the Indian and Chinese military along the Current Line of Control (LAC) in the past 45 years. Although this unprecedented and dangerous turn of events in the border region has established the lines of work in the two capitals, an early resolution of the dispute seems less likely.
China has reaffirmed its claim on the Galwan Valley, and its Foreign Office has made sharp statements alleging that Indian soldiers twice crossed the LAC region. This has led Defense Minister Rajnath Singh to say that the government has given the forces freedom to “give an adequate answer“If there is any additional escalation from the other side.
While the second round of talks between the two nations is underway, the current border situation has fueled fears of a protracted military confrontation between the two sides. But how prepared are the two countries for conflict? What are your military capabilities?
China is in third place, while India ranks fourth out of 138 countries in the Global Firepower 2020 military strength ranking. While the United States is at the top of the list, Russia is in second place.
A look at the military capabilities of the two most populous countries in the world.
Workforce: India has a total of 622,480,340 people, while China has 752,855,402 available. The number of active personnel in India (1,444,000) is also less than in China (2,183,000). However, India has more bank strength with 2,100,000 in reserve compared to China’s 510,000.
Air power: With 538 fighter jets and more than 700 helicopters, the strength of the Indian air fleet is 2,123. China’s total resources are 3,210, with more than 1,200 combat aircraft and more than 900 helicopters.
Land resources: China is ahead and better equipped than India in terms of land resources. Beijing has at least 33,000 armored vehicles, 3,500 combat tanks, 3,800 self-propelled artillery, 3,600 field artillery, and 2,650 rocket projectors. India’s total resources include 8,686 armored vehicles, 4,292 combat tanks, 235 self-propelled artillery, 4,060 field artillery, and 266 rocket projectors.
Naval strength: Today, India has a total fleet force of 285, including an aircraft carrier, 16 submarines, 10 destroyers, 13 frigates, 19 corvettes, three ships for mining warfare, and 139 coastal patrol ships. China, on the other hand, has a total fleet of 777, including two aircraft carriers, 74 submarines, 36 destroyers, 52 frigates, 50 corvettes, 29 mine warfare ships, and 220 patrol boats.
She is a freelance blogger, writer, and speaker, and writes for various entertainment magazines.