In India, something that is more concerning than COVID-19 this time is the growing agression and tension between the Chinese and Indian military at the Indo-China border, known as Line of Actual Control (LAC). After the gruesome faceoff occured last week, that was started with a tight punch on Chinese Major by an Indian lieutenant and ended with injury of more than a dozen troops, a massive buildup has been started by the two nuclear armed nations, that looks like a preparation for war.
Whenever we talk about the West (Pakistan), we never ignore the role of Indian Air Force, that owns an edge over the adversary in certain categories, and also face disadvantages in other categories. And today, I think it's time to quickly analyse and compare the capabilities of Indian Air Force with People Liberation Army (Chinese) Air Force. So let's get started. First we are going to look after the armament available in the inventory of both nations and then make a detailed conclusion on "who has the technical superiority". Then there will be look on the current assets deployed in the region and who is favoured by the terrain and other factors that really matters in a conflict.
Fighter Aircraft
India
1. Sukhoi Su-30MKI “Flanker"
An ultra advanced 4+ generation fighter aircraft that serves as a backbone for Indian Air Force due to the abundant number and high availability. With long range N011M BARS hybrid Phased Electronically Scanned Array (PESA) radar, the aircraft is capable enough to track 3m2 RCS targets with the range of 150km. The aircraft is also capable of carrying ECM pods like SAP-518 and EL/M-8222, that increases the survivability in hostile situations. A wide range of weapon package is available in Su-30MKI.
Medium Range Missiles
Guidance:- Active Radar homing
India's first indigenously developed air-to-air missile. Astra features an active radar guided seeker and solid fuel rocket propellant system, making it capable enough to hit high manueverable targets (fighter jets) within 110-120km range and low manuverable targets (Airlifters, AWACS) within 160km range. Deployed on Su-30MKI.
• RVV-AE (R-77)
Guidance:- Active radar homing
Missile with a disappointing past, but still a useful weapon if fired under favourable circumstances. The missile is equipped with active radar seeker, with a range upto 70-80km.
• R-27
Guidance:- Semi-active radar homing
In Russian Air Force, R-27 missile is more valued than R-77. This is the reason why the latest variant of R-27, that is R-27AE, features an active radar seeker. In Indian Air Force, R-27R/RE and R-27T/ET variants are in service since last two decades. The R variant features a semi-active radar seeker, with 75km range and T variant feature an infrared seeker with 50-55km range.
Short Range Missile
• R-73
Guidance:- Infrared homing
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| R-73 mounted on the wingtip of a Su-30MKI |
2. Mikoyan Gurevich MiG-29UPG "Fulcrum"
Inspired from MiG-29SMT, the Indian MiG-29UPG is a heavily upgraded MiG-29B. The N010M Zhuk-ME multimode pulse doppler radar is one of the critical components added in the aircraft that makes it capable of engaging 10 targets within 120-150km ranges. With the increase in internal fuel capacity (due to enlargement of the spine) and addition of in-flight refuelling probe, the aircraft owns much more enhanced combat radius as compared to predecessor variants. Both MiG-29UPG and Su-30MKI has the same air-to-air missiles inventory, but the thing that makes the Fulcrum better than the Flanker is it's DRDO D-29 Electronic Warfare suite.
DRDO D-29 EW suite
D-29 is a fifth generation electronic warfare suite fitted specially in MiG-29UPG. This system for Radar warning and jamming includes a combination of Radar Warning Reciever, Electronic Counter Measures, Electronic Support Measures that utilizes state-of-the-art active phased arrays for selectively jamming the multiple threat radars.
The jammers work on cross eye jamming principle. Cross-eye jamming is an electronic attack technique that induces an angular error in the radar by artificially creating a false target and deceiving the radar into detecting and tracking it. The system mainly consists of Unified Receiver Exciter Processor (UREP modified to suit the requirements of D-29), Solid State Transmit / Receive Unit (SSTRU) with Active Array Unit (AAU) and a liquid cooling system. Presently, there is no effective anti-jamming method to counteract cross-eye jamming. The D-29 system serves primarily as a self-protection jammer that will boost survivability, enhance situation awareness and increase mission effectiveness.
3. Mirage 2000
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| Mirage 2000I armed with MICA IR SRAAM |
The Indian Air Force Mirage 2000 fleet consists of a majority of un-upgraded units (Mirage-2000H) and a handful of upgraded units (Mirage-2000I) in Mirage 2000-5 Mk-II standard, that is capable to be armed with MICA family of missiles, thanks to the integration of RDY-2 pulse doppler radar. With such pulse doppler radar and MICA missile, Mirage 2000 is capable enough to engage targets within 100-110km range. Even the un-upgraded Mirage-2000H are very potent battle machines and may be better as bombers while the upgraded Mirage 2000I serve as their "guardians" during a strike mission, like they did in 2019 Balakot strikes. Mirage 2000 is also equipped with Remora ECM pod, to counter any incoming airborne missiles.
In 1999 Kargil War, Mirage 2000 of the Indian Air Force condicted several precision strike while flying over mountainous terrain of Ladakh, that makes it compatible for high altitude missions.
Aircrafts excluded:-
1. MiG-21 Bison:- I excluded MiG-21 "Bison" in the list because it a 3rd generation aircraft and it is more focused to handle threats in the western sector (Pakistan) and therefore, the possibility is very low that it will engage Chinese fighters.
2. Jaguar:- Please note that I am talking about aircrafts capable of engaging the adversary in air-to-air combat. The Jaguar is a strike aircraft and hence, not capable enough to perform effectively against enemy fighters in air-to-air combat.
3. LCA Tejas:- LCA Tejas is one of the latest aircrafts in the Indian Air Force and not yet completely operationalised. Only one squadron is active, that is too with aircrafts in IOC (Initial Operational Clearance/Capability) configuration.
CHINA
1. Chengdu J-20 "Mighty Dragon"
China's first 5th generation fighter aircraft, that is now succesfully operational with PLAAF. The size looks a pretty big, when compared to other fighters in it's class. But the design of J-20 is something that is highly overlooked on various forums. The J-20 delta wing configuration gives it an high instability feature. With the addition of canards, the aircrafts maintains a sustained pitch/control at high angle of attack without stalling. A canard design is also known to provide good supersonic performance, excellent supersonic and transonic turn performance, and improved short-field landing performance compared to the conventional delta wing design.
A combination of Leading Edge Extension (LERx) and body lift are incorporated to enhance performance in a canard layout that generate 1.2 times the lift of an ordinary canard delta, and 1.8 times more lift than an aircraft with equivalent sized pure delta configuration. It reduces supersonic drag without compromising transonic lift-to-drag characteristics that are crucial to the aircraft's turn performance.
The aircraft is designed for air-superiority role, and hence, we can't ignore the air-to-air missile inventory of PLAAF. It seems that the primary BVRAAM of J-20 is PL-15, as this aircraft always showcase it's internal bay filled with a collection of this missile, unlike other fighters in PLAAF, that also spotted carrying PL-12 missiles.
• PL-15
Guidance:- Active radar homing
The PL-15 AAM is the most advanced missile available in PLAAF inventory. It is sometimes overrated as well as underrated. The PL-15 is the world's second air-to-air missile that features AESA based RF seeker, that greatly enhance its accuracy against the targets. With a range upto 120-130km. Please don't believe the "400 km ultra range" claim, it's only an overhybed assumption and you can read the article on the topic here. The two-way datalink support allows the missile to take guidance from third parties like other aircraft or an AWACS.
• PL-12
Guidance:- Active radar homing
PL-12 is a Chinese development but carries similar technology as that of Russian R-77 with little indigenous modifications that can ve noticed in the shape and propulsion system. The missile is deployed on majority of PLAAF aircrafts and effectively engage the targets under the range of 70-75km and has a speed of Mach 3.5–4.
• PL-10
Guidance:- Imaging Infra Red homing
A new dog for the dogfight. The PL-10 is the latest production of China in air-to-air missiles category. One of the major advancement is it's IIR seeker that gives it much more accuracy than common SRAAMs with IR seeker. It is because the Imaging Infrared seeker allows the missile to interpret the different parts of a target aircraft and hit the most appropriate section. IIR guided missiles are also very hard to fool with hot flares and much more precise than standard heat-seeker missiles. The seeker is also capable at -/+90 degrees off-boresight angles, that when used in conjuction with HMDS, makes it highly manueverable.
2. Shenyang J-11 "Flanker-L"
J-11 is completely based on Sukhoi Su-27SK, and it perform the role of an air superiority fighter. The J-11D is the most advanced variant in the Chinese flanker family, equipped with an Active Electronically Scanned Array (AESA) radar, Infra-Red Search and Track (IRST) system and highly enhanced EW capabilites. It is now capable of carrying PL-10 IIR WVRAAM and PL-15 BVRAAM. Therefore, I consider this aircraft as an improved version of a Su-27 and a Chinese attempt to develop their own Su-35.
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| J-11 equipped with KG-600/700 Self Protection Jammer |
3. Sukhoi Su-30MKK "Flanker-G"
Very few things are original in China, and Su-30MKK is one of them. The aircraft is a modified version of standard Su-30 with customisations according to Chinese requirements. 65-70 units are available in PLAAF and it serves as an all-weather multirole fighter, incorporating roles of an air superiority fighter as well as a strike fighter. What makes it different from Su-30MKI is the absence of 3 dimesional thrust vector control engines and canards.
4. Chengdu J-10 "Firebird"
J-10 is China’s most trustworthy aircraft. The latest J-10C features significant avionics advancement, specially an AESA upgrade making it resistant against jamming. Simillar armament configuration like the J-11, that is ability to carry long range PL-15 and short range PL-10 AAMs makes it a lethal aircraft in the skies. The small size, use of composites and Diverterless Supersonic Intake (DSI) gives it a low RCS as compared to other aircrafts without such configuration.
5. Shenyang J-16
J-16 is one of the secretly developed aircraft of China. Not much information is available about the aircraft right now. However, it is clear that there are two variants, the J-16A is a dedicated strike variant while J-16D is an electronic warfare variant spotted in 2015 during the test flights. The J-16D is a Chinese answer to american E/A-18 "Growler" and is rumoured to be in service with PLAAF since 2017.
Aircrafts excluded:-
1. JH-7:- A strike aircraft and hence, incapable of an effective an air-to-air combat.
2. F-7:- 3rd generation aircraft on verge of retirement.
3. J-8:- 3rd generation and on verge of retirement.
4. Su-35:- Only 24 Su-35 are in service with PLAAF and aircrafts are deployed for maritime surveillance roles in South China Sea and Taiwan strait. Therefore, China may not utilise it against India.
AWACS
Airborne Early Warning & Control System (AEW&C) or AWACS is considered as "force multiplier" or "eyes in the sky" for any Air Force. The long range radar mounted on customised airlifter, allows sophisticated co-ordination and communication between the assets during operations. In the era of 5th generation warfare, AWACS is a necessity for every modern Air force.
INDIA
1. EL/W-2090 "Phalcon"
Mounted on Beriev A-50EI aircraft, the EL/W-2090 is an Active Electronically Scanned Array (AESA) radar that offers a 360° scanning coverage in azimuth with a range upto 400km. As it is an AESA radar, there is no need of continuos physical rotation of the rotodome, unlike the pulse doppler radar systems. Total 3 are available in IAF inventory.
2. DRDO "Netra"
Developed in-house by India, the Netra system features an AESA radar mounted on Embraer ERJ-145 (R-99) that gives 240° (120° coverage of each side except front and rear section) coverage within 200km range and Identification Friend or Foe (IFF) support. Netra is a battle proven system that precisely guided the Indian warplanes in 2019 Balakot mission in which Indian Air Force bombed a terrorist base camp.
CHINA
1. KJ-2000 "Mainring"
China's first and indigenously developed AWACS, that is the result of Chinese hardwork after they failed to acquire EL/W-2090 from Israel due to US pressure. Due to very few solid information, it is assumed that the maximum range is somewhere around 350-400km.
2.KJ-200 "Moth"
If you guess it's the mini version of KJ-2000, then you guessed it right. The KJ-200 AEW&CS came into existence because Russia denied further sale of Il-76 aircraft. Instead of sitting idle with just 4 AWACS, China progressed with the development of an AESA radar with 240° coverage, that can be mounted on Y-8 aircraft. Therefore, they managed to overcome the lack of platform problem. 11 KJ-200 are in service with PLAAF.
3. KJ-500
The KJ-500 seems to be China’s next generation AEW&CS, featuring an AESA radar with 360° coverage mounted on Y-9, the successor of Y-8. The max range is said to be somewhere around 300km. Even though the system is based on KJ-2000, the KJ-500 may not able to operate at as higher altitudes as KJ-2000, because it is mounted on a turbopop aircraft. With 13 units, the KJ-500 is the backbone of Chinese aerial surveillance.
Air Defence Systems
Why always bother your fighter pilots when you can take down the adversary jet with a system situated on ground? Surface-to-Air Missile (SAM) plays an important role in airspace situation. Quick and effective response time make sure that your enemy stays within limit and think twice before approaching without a sophisticated planning.INDIA
1. Akash
Externally similar to 2K12 Kub missile, but Akash is equipped with advanced and indigenous RF seeker, propulsion system and other internal components. It can effectively hit targets within 40-45km range. The system is complemented by Rajendra phased array radar that provides tracking of 64 targets within the range upto 150km for 2m2 targets.
2. MR-SAM
Stands for Medium Range Surface to Air Missile, the MR-SAM system is developed jointly by India and Israel. It equipped with state-of-the-art Barak 8 missiles, capable of engaging targets within 100km range with a speed of Mach 2. Each MR-SAM Launcher has Command and Control System along with a phased array radar.
3. SPYDER
SPYDER stands for Surface-to-air PYthon and DERby. It is a short-to-medium range surface-to-air missile, made by IAI and Rafael systems. The system is highly accurate and two incidents prove its accuracy and precision. During the two day skirmish between India and Pakistan in 2019, the SPYDER downed two real targets, one was an enemy UAV while other was, unfortunately, a friendly chopper. However, looking at the positive side, the missile worked effectively during the conflict. The system is supported by EL/M-2084 S-Band Active Electronically Scanned Array (AESA) radar that features a detection range upto 100 targets within 250km range.
4. S-125 "Pechora"
This short-to-medium range surface to air missile is in service since 70s but recently upgraded with advanced integrated area command and control system, guidance radar, etc. The Pechora can intercept targets within 35-40km range. The tracking radar is capable of detecting targets within 100-120km range.
5. 9K33-M2
Short range quick reaction SAM system with 6 9M33M3 missiles equipped on each launcher. It is compatible of shooting down targets within 15 km range.
CHINA
1. HQ-16
HQ-16, also known as LY-80, is a medium range surface to air missile, based on Russian Buk missile system but incorporates much advanced technology. There are two radar units, with one L-band passive phased-array radar with a range of 85 km and one S-band 3-D passive phased-array radar with a range of 140 km, which provides target tracking information.Together these radar units can detect up to 144 targets and track up to 48 simultaneously. The missile can intercept targets flying at altitudes from 800-10,000m and within 70km range.
2. HQ-12
Short-to-medium range SAM that is designed to take down targets within 45-50km range. The system is supported by H-200 Passive Electronically Scanned Array (PESA) radar, with tracking capacity of 100 targets within 70km range.
3. HQ-9
Looks similar to HQ-16, but still different. HQ-9 serves the role of long range interception of airborne targets. The latest HQ-9B is said to be equipped with semi-active radar homing and infrared homing missiles. 300km detection range with the a phased array radar.
WHO OWNS THE TECHNICAL SUPERIORITY?
As I already said that AWACS is a must for modern air forces, it is clear that the capability and role of the airborne radars matters a lot in real life missions. China is ahead in terms of quantity, but I believe that it is a tie. There is a major difference between the airspace of India and area of China. China has a bigger area to cover while India has comparatively smaller area to cover. One Phalcon to monitor northern front and one Phalcon to monitor North eastern front can do the job comfortably. Not to forget that AWACS are vulnerable to enemy missiles, it creates a high risk if it is flies close to the border. Therefore, an AWACS with 400km radar range can manage to precisely monitor the airspace as well as stay outside the enemy missile range. The PL-21 ultra long range missiles are still in development and it is not clear whether it is deployed on any Chinese fighter aircraft or not.
Coming to Air Defence systems, the China has a clear range advantage. The HQ-16 and HQ-9 SAM systems are said to be advanced than Russian Pantsir and S-300 systems and hence, India cannot take it lightly. However, in quality terms, India is little ahead as it operates Israeli equipment, the SPYDER and MR-SAM are state-of-the-art equipments with assurance of Israeli technology that is highly sophisticated when it comes to proving the capability in real world.
A LOOK ON ACCESSIBILITY
Technical superiority is only one of the factors used to define capability of any side. Owning good assets is not the only way to win a war, an effective utilisation of those assets matter the most. In other words, how the assets can be accessed according to requirements. In this section, we are going to look after factors that effects the conflict:-
Terrain
The terrain plays an important role in defining which side is in dominant position. Ladakh is a high altitude cold desert region, with a lot of high mountain ranges. In such terrain, buildup of airstrips is not as open as other regions. With high altitude, there are many problem arises. The logistics, supplies are usually harder as compared to other regions. Eg, a helicopter with low service ceiling cannot fulfill the role of supplying essential equipments in such hilly region, however, the helicopter may work effectively in desert or plain terrains. This is the reason why India and China always equip themselves with weapons that can work in all weather conditions. The HAL Light combat Helicopter (LCH), is the only attack helicopter in the world that is capable of reaching the altitude upto 21,000 ft.
Deployment
You may own a high number of fighter aircrafts, but can you place each and every jet at the border? Answer is No! China shares the border with 13 countries other than India and the total land area is somewhere around 9.5 million sq. kilometres, whereas the area controlled by India is somewhere around 3.3 million sq. kilometres. Thereforere, the concentration of Indian airbases in a region is more than the concentration of Chinese airbases. According to details available in public domain, the no. of Chinese airbases near Indo-China border is comparatively less than Indian airbases.
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| Su-30MKI at Leh, just 250km away from China border |
With more air bases, the Indian Air Force can manage quick launch of fighter aircrafts as a support or interceptor package.
Experience
Well, here, India owns a serious advantage. The last major war fought by China and the army was Sino-Vietnamese war in 1979. Unfortunately, China lost the war and 30,000 troops. The main reason for the defeat was the experience of Vietnamese troops, who fought valiantly against US troops just 4 year ago and achieved victory. Hence, this war proved how experience is necessary tp fight any war. India already fought 4 wars against its arch rival Pakistan and even 2 wars with China. The first war with China was in 1962, where they defeated the Indian troops and captured a large territory of the then Jammu & Kashmir province of India. In 1967, just two years after a major Indo-Pak war, China again attacked India to capture Sikkim, however, it didn't work according to plan and China failed to achieve their objective because of Indian retaliation.
Coming to India, the last major war occured in 1999 when India retaliated against capture of Kargil. The Army and Air Force worked jointly and recaprured their position. In 2019, India was also involved in two day skirmish against Pakistan (outcomes are still unclear) and utilised important assets like the Phalcon and Netra AWACS, Mirage 2000 aircraft, etc in real mission against the enemy. Therefore, India is much more experienced in battle than the Chinese troops.
Allies
The reason why alliances are formed is to support the country in good as well as bad times. With regional ally Pakistan, China can engage India on two fronts and cause heavy pressure on the Indian command. India (looking at the current political situation) lack a trustworthy ally in the region. However, Taiwan is an option to form an alliance against China. Taiwan is an island nation,situation close to Chinese mainland. Chinese administration has some serious issues with Taiwan and very recently, General Li Zuocheng, Chief of the Joint Staff Department of the PLA Central Military Commission, threatened to attack Taiwan once it's necessary. You can find a detailed report on Sydney Morning Herald news portal.
Taiwan holds a capable military power. It receives milotary assistance and supplies from USA and operates the state-of-the-art F-16 "Falcon" fighter aircraft and recently acquired the latest AESA equipped F-16V variants. With the support of Taiwan, India has a chance to gain support during the military conflict.
The role of USA is uncertain, but it is clear that it will participate through any way possible. Maybe only as a mediator or an ally of India for military support.
Taiwan holds a capable military power. It receives milotary assistance and supplies from USA and operates the state-of-the-art F-16 "Falcon" fighter aircraft and recently acquired the latest AESA equipped F-16V variants. With the support of Taiwan, India has a chance to gain support during the military conflict.
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| Taiwan Air Force F-16 "Falcon" Photo courtesy:- Zian Kia Zhou |
WHY NO NUKES?
There is no doubt that the Weapons of Mass Destruction (WMD) is highly concentrated in the region. Both India and China own nuclear weapons. But the thing here is that both are the only two nations in the world to adopt the "No First Use" policy. It means that country will never use its nuclear weapon to carry out the first strike on the enemy, but only to retaliate against adversary's nuclear strike.
With both nations adopting this policy, it is highly evident that nuclear war has low possibility, but only if both nations stick with the policy because sometimes, rules are broken in a war.
END NOTE
Now with the end of this article, I would like to say that this article also consists my personal opinions too and opinions vary person to person. I agree that war never brings peace, it always bring chaos, destruction and regret. But as a page dedicated to write on topics related to defence and strategic matters, it is our duty to present you information on the topic. I hope both governments solve this issue with proper dialogue and war may not erupt.
"War doesn't determine who is right-only who is left"
~Bertrand Russell
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References:-
https://www.thequint.com/news/india/india-china-faceoff-in-sikkim-small-indian-lt-who-punched-a-big-chinese-major
https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_active_Indian_military_aircraft
https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/People%27s_Liberation_Army_Air_Force
https://missiledefenseadvocacy.org/missile-threat-and-proliferation/todays-missile-threat/china-anti-access-area-denial-coming-soon/hq-16/
https://missiledefenseadvocacy.org/missile-threat-and-proliferation/todays-missile-threat/china-anti-access-area-denial-coming-soon/hq-12/
https://missiledefenseadvocacy.org/missile-threat-and-proliferation/todays-missile-threat/china-anti-access-area-denial-coming-soon/hq-9/
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https://www.cfr.org/backgrounder/no-first-use-and-nuclear-weapons
https://www.thequint.com/news/india/india-china-faceoff-in-sikkim-small-indian-lt-who-punched-a-big-chinese-major
https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_active_Indian_military_aircraft
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https://missiledefenseadvocacy.org/missile-threat-and-proliferation/todays-missile-threat/china-anti-access-area-denial-coming-soon/hq-16/
https://missiledefenseadvocacy.org/missile-threat-and-proliferation/todays-missile-threat/china-anti-access-area-denial-coming-soon/hq-12/
https://missiledefenseadvocacy.org/missile-threat-and-proliferation/todays-missile-threat/china-anti-access-area-denial-coming-soon/hq-9/
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https://www.cfr.org/backgrounder/no-first-use-and-nuclear-weapons
