China’s “String of Pearls” and India's Two Front War Predicament : Analysis

My tastes are of a "higher" class.

Ah yes! "Nawabi "shauk. Truly, your tastes are eclectic.


That's not how this analogy works. We don't have cancer, we have a spinal cord injury right now, with only our arms working.

When you go to war, you are either thrown into the fighting ring where you have no control or you begin the fight at your time and place of choosing. The situation is such that we can begin the time and place of our choosing since we hold the cards.

People with common sense, those not stuck with low quality bamboo grass, will pick the latter. The simple fact is we need to enter the fight after we have taken care of all our business. Two most critical ones are modernisation and getting the economy back on track.

There two factors are extremely critical. I don't have to explain the economic factor, we must do whatever we can in order to reduce dependency on China during this time. Some industrialists have pointed out that it can be done within a few years for essential imports.

But when it comes to military modernisation, here's something important.
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In his letter, Gen Singh said India's air defence was "97% obsolete", the army lacked the equipment it needed and its entire tank fleet was "devoid of critical ammunition to defeat enemy tanks".

This was said back in 2012. And in return, the Modi govt signed up for 5 regiments of MRSAM and initiated the development of Akash Prime and QRSAM.

To put things in perspective, a single MRSAM battery is about 4 times more capable than Akash and 16 times more capable than the still obsolete and yet to be replaced obsolete SAMs. In order words, a single MRSAM battery is as capable of 4 batteries of Akash, without even considering its next generation technology or the fact that it works up to twice the distance.

Without doing this, what you're proposing is the military must fight with systems that can no longer be used on the battlefield. Otoh, if we give it enough time, the army will get a system that the Chinese have no hope of matching at all. The same with the QRSAM, it will go completely unchallenged by the Chinese. Both MRSAM and QRSAM cannot be defeated by existing Chinese aircraft.

Most of the systems we need in order to fight and win were all signed up for during Modi's first term and are in the process of being delivered today. We most definitely should not go to war without these inducted in any sizeable number. And we actually do not need a lot of such systems. The entire Ladakh region needs just 1 MRSAM and QRSAM regiments each.

Same story with our artillery and infantry. Our artillery is mostly composed of 105mm guns with less than 20Km range, while our infantry is still to get new rifles and carbines. Same story with light helicopters, we definitely need a rapid induction of about 50+. You are not going to maintain troop morale if there's no casevac and supplies. And we can't do that effectively with our antique force of Alouettes, that can crash anytime during high tempo operations in bad weather, and without advanced SAMs to protect them.

You say we should go to war right away, great, yeah, we can go to war. But right now, the army's objective is not a victory, it's a stalemate. But replace the systems I named above, the army's objective will switch from stalemate to victory. That's how much of a difference there is. What's funny is we can get all this done within a year.

As an accident victim with a spinal cord injury, you first need to worry about walking and running before you worry about cancer in the future.

The air force and navy are not in a good place as well. The air force need the full complement of Rafales, with ISE, and MKIs with Derby ER and ASRAAM. And the navy needs new destroyers and frigates. Right now, they have just 3 destroyers capable of advanced AAW, the rest of the ships are carrying obsolete SAMs. During this time we will see the induction of near-hypersonic Brahmos as well, and this one's absolutely unstoppable.

Most of the air force and navy's modernisation cannot be done in a year though, but the army's modernisation must be complete to a certain extent, in a year's time, before we even think about going to war. For victory: Barely manageable = Sept 2021. Acceptable = Sept 2022. Overwhelming superiority = Sept 2023. Today: Only a stalemate.
And all this would change in 2023 ? The economy would be on steroids & modernisation achieved by 2023 & I suppose news of territories lost - no man's zone or not would be treated with a great deal of sensitivity by the opposition & their minions in the msm who'd definitely give Modi a long rope. Also to be factored in is whether China actually would be satisfied with what they've achieved by way of land grab, for both in terms of territorial acquisitions & strategic salience those gains aren't monumental or crucially vital by any yard stick .

So why, 2023? Why shouldn't it be 2023 ought to be your logical counter, shouldn't it?! It follows 2022 - THE epochal year. Hence, goodies are to be expected - bamboo grass or otherwise. The road map you've drawn is incomparable. Once we have it, leave aside Aksai Chin, there's no obstacle to us liberating TAR & Xinjiang too , except our imagination. The PLA might as well roll over & die.
 
And all this would change in 2023 ? The economy would be on steroids & modernisation achieved by 2023 & I suppose news of territories lost - no man's zone or not would be treated with a great deal of sensitivity by the opposition & their minions in the msm who'd definitely give Modi a long rope.

The post-COVID economy will be back in the black in 2023, not on steroids.

The Opposition goes off the bamboo on the slightest offence.

Also to be factored in is whether China actually would be satisfied with what they've achieved by way of land grab, for both in terms of territorial acquisitions & strategic salience those gains aren't monumental or crucially vital by any yard stick .

They won't fire the first shot though. Their diplomatic compulsions are different from ours.

So why, 2023? Why shouldn't it be 2023 ought to be your logical counter, shouldn't it?! It follows 2022 - THE epochal year. Hence, goodies are to be expected - bamboo grass or otherwise.

Post-2022 is for long term contracts. It's not going to play any part now.

Right now, it's the piecemeal stuff that we bought during Modi-1 that will give us an overwhelming advantage in a limited war.

The road map you've drawn is incomparable. Once we have it, leave aside Aksai Chin, there's no obstacle to us liberating TAR & Xinjiang too , except our imagination. The PLA might as well roll over & die.

Nope. What I said applies only to a limited war, in order to end it in our own terms. And we need to end the war in our terms because that's the only way we will get a negotiation advantage, and also give all other countries in the viscinity a lot of time and diplomatic advantages. China will also be forced to do a rethink on the SCS and a complete rethink on their own military modernisation, which will see a further wasting away of time and money. The US will also become far more aggressive in the SCS. But with our current stuff, we can't.

This is the very reason why we are trying to expedite delivery of the latest stuff. If we were already prepared, then we wouldn't have bothered as much.

If you want us to invade Tibet, we need full scale modernisation of the army, and that's not happening until the post 2022 period, and will take several years after. Of course, that's only the army, it's really the air force that requires the actual modernisation, and that could take 2 decades.
 
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Sri Lanka-U.S. sign SOFA: License for U.S. Military to Enter

Washington, D.C. 03 July (Asiantribune.com):

The Government of Sri Lanka has entered into the military agreement called Status of Forces Agreement (SOFA), considered controversial even by an American ally The Philippines which abrogated the ‘pact’ a couple of months ago, with the United States of America, it was revealed by Cabinet spokesman Minister Bandula Gunawardene at a media briefing in Colombo July 01.
Trump%20White%20House.png
Trump White House official for South Asian Affairs in the US National Security Council Lisa Curtis (rights) talking to President Gotabhaya Rajapaksa with Alice Wells, Assistant Secretary for South-Central Asian Affairs in the State Department and U.S. Ambassador to Sri Lanka Alaina Teplitz when they met the President on January 14 this year

The SOFA which provides effective activation of the 2017-signed 83-page Acquisition and Cross-Services Agreement (ACSA), according to a public statement by the American Ambassador Alaina Teplitz on May 24 last year, would “allow U.S. forces to tour the country to conduct combined security operations.”

The government move, as the Asian Tribune inquiries found, in signing the SOFA with the U.S., was the culmination of the long process of dialogue commenced from August 2018 during the previous Sirisena administration based on the exchange of classified diplomatic notes between the American Embassy and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

The media event was convened by Cabinet spokesman Minister Bandula Gunawardene on July 01 to inform the status of the now controversial Millennium Challenge Corporation Compact Grant (MCC) when he disclose the signing of the SOFA.

“We have taken a decision that all agreements should be in keeping with our constitution; they should not harm our national security; they should not infringe the sovereignty and territorial integrity of the nation. Sri Lanka will not sign any agreement that violates those basic principles. We have not signed the MCC, and President Gotabhaya Rajapaksa has sought the opinion of all the cabinet members. We have signed the ACSA and Sofa”, said the cabinet spokesman Gunawardene.

This was the first occasion that an official announcement was made about the completion of the signing of the SOFA between Sri Lanka and the United States.

The delay in signing the SOFA was attributed to public outcry whether American troops could enter Sri Lanka’s soil, and the American ambassador Teplitz gave an explanation to the affirmative when she met the Malwatte Chapter High Priest in Kandy on May 24 last year.

American ambassador following her meeting with the Mahanayake of Malwatte Buddhist Chapter dismissing the popular belief that the U.S. was planning a military base, confirmed, if Status of Forces Agreement (SOFA) was reached between the two nations, the arrangement would be “to allow U.S. forces to tour the country to conduct combined security operations.”

She said such steps were “very important to strengthen the security of the country as well as strengthen other sectors.”

She did not disclose what ‘other sectors’ were.

When the Malwatte Chapter Mahanayaka Thero referred to American troops entry to Sri Lanka is seen by everyone as dangerous, the Ambassador, referring to the ongoing discussions between the two countries on the details of the SOFA, said “I think what you are referring to is the visiting forces agreement that we are negotiating with the government.”

Following the discussions between the representatives of the United States Government and the Foreign Ministry of the Government of Sri Lanka, the Embassy of the United States of America in Sri Lanka in a ‘Confidential’ note addressing the Foreign Ministry dated 28 August 2018 reiterated the mutually-agreed upon clauses that are incorporated in the Status of Forces Agreement (SOFA) which Asian Tribune construed as inimical to the sovereignty and territorial integrity of Sri Lanka.

Despite Cabinet spokesman Minister Bandula Gunawardene said at the July 01 media gathering that no agreement inimical to the sovereignty of Sri Lanka will be entered into, the ‘Asian Tribune’ is in a position to disclose what Washington endeavors to achieve at the expense of Sri Lanka’s sovereignty providing a reading of this ‘classified’ document and the total repulsive nature of the ‘contents’ of the SOFA now signed between the two countries, as disclosed by Gunawardene.

The classified U.S. Diplomatic Note refers to American troop arrival in Sri Lanka under SOFA, and the facilities the U.S. military will be awarded with the concurrence of the Government of Sri Lanka: A blatant violation of sovereignty and territorial integrity of an independent nation contrary to what the cabinet spokesman said.

SOFAs are multilateral or bilateral agreements that generally establish the framework under which U.S. military personnel operate in a foreign country and how domestic laws of the foreign jurisdiction apply toward U.S. personnel in that country.

The Dip Note says “U.S. personnel be accorded the privileges, exemptions, and immunities equivalent to those accorded to the administrative and technical staff of a diplomatic mission under the Vienna Convention on Diplomatic Relations; that U.S. personnel may enter and exit Sri Lanka with U.S. identification and with collective movement or individual travel orders”.

The communication reminds that the U.S. personnel are not subject to Sri Lanka’s criminal jurisdiction saying “The Government of Sri Lanka recognizes the particular importance of disciplinary control by U.S. Armed forces authorities over U.S. personnel and, therefore, authorizes the Government of the United States to exercise criminal jurisdiction over U.S. personnel while in Sri Lanka.”

It further reminds that, U.S. personnel are free to import and export items without being subject to Sri Lankan inspections: “…the U.S. Department of Defense and U.S. personnel shall not be liable to pay any tax or similar charges within Sri Lanka. The U.S. Department of Defense and U.S. personnel may import into, export out of, and use in Sri Lanka any personal property, equipment, supplies, material, technology, training, or services in connection with activities under this agreement……They shall be exempt from any inspection within Sri Lanka.”

Embassy Note further reminds another understanding toward the finality of SOFA the liberty to move freely of the U.S. Department of Defense vessel and vehicles within the sovereign territory of Sri Lanka: “The Embassy proposes that vessels and vehicles operated by or, at the time, exclusively for the U.S. Department of Defense may enter, exit, and move freely within the territory of Sri Lanka.

Another clause in the SOFA says “Aircrafts and vessels of the U.S. Government shall be free from boarding and inspection.”

The diplomatic exchanges between the American Embassy and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs form the basis of the SOFA when both parties agree to the conditions and contents of the notes, once both parties agree to the contents it is construed that both governments have signed to make SOFA an effective instrument.

Another condition:

(Quote) The Embassy also proposes that the U.S. Department of Defense may contract for any material, supplies, equipment, and services (including construction) to be furnished or undertaken in Sri Lanka without restriction as to choice of contractor, supplier, or person who provides such material, supplies, equipment or services. Such contracts shall be solicited, awarded and administered in accordance with the laws and regulations of the Government of the United States of America.

Acquisition of articles and services in Sri Lanka by or on behalf of the U.S. Department of Defense in connection with activities under the Agreement shall not be subject to any taxes or similar charges in Sri Lanka.(End Quote)M

The proposed SOFA, agreed by both government officials as indicated in this classified diplomatic communication have total freedom of movement within the sovereign state of Sri Lanka: “The Embassy proposes that U.S. personnel shall have freedom of movement and access to and use of mutually agreed transportation, storage, training, and other facilities required in connection with activities under this Agreement.”

In one of the undertakings the Sri Lanka Government under SOFA the U.S. Armed forces are given the right to operate its own telecommunication system within the Island of Sri Lanka. The following paragraph of the diplomatic note is clear that U.S. military personnel will be arriving and located on the Island.

(Quote) The Government of Sri Lanka recognizes that it may be necessary for the U.S. Armed forces to use the radio spectrum. The U.S. Department of Defense shall be allowed to operate its own telecommunication system. This shall include the right to utilize such means and services as required to ensure full ability to operate telecommunication system. The use of the radio spectrum shall be free of cost to the U.S Government. (End Quote)

Washington wants Colombo to acknowledge what is stated in the classified Diplomatic Note that it agrees to everything written in it. The purpose of the Note was that. When the cabinet spokesman Bandula Gunawardene disclosed this week in Colombo that Sri Lanka has already signed SOFA the statement implies that the government has agreed to the conditions of the American Embassy Diplomatic Note which gives effect to the signing of SOFA between the two governments.
 
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Afghan army with the support of Israeli Airforce is more than enough to open a second front against Pakistan in case Pakistan with China imposes a two front war on us.
 
Afghan army with the support of Israeli Airforce is more than enough to open a second front against Pakistan in case Pakistan with China imposes a two front war on us.
Afghan army cant even control two-third of the country. It will become the insurgent army when salaries stop for which the govt is totally dependent on US. Israeli's do not have that much stake here.
 
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Sri Lanka-U.S. sign SOFA: License for U.S. Military to Enter

Washington, D.C. 03 July (Asiantribune.com):

The Government of Sri Lanka has entered into the military agreement called Status of Forces Agreement (SOFA), considered controversial even by an American ally The Philippines which abrogated the ‘pact’ a couple of months ago, with the United States of America, it was revealed by Cabinet spokesman Minister Bandula Gunawardene at a media briefing in Colombo July 01.
Trump%20White%20House.png
Trump White House official for South Asian Affairs in the US National Security Council Lisa Curtis (rights) talking to President Gotabhaya Rajapaksa with Alice Wells, Assistant Secretary for South-Central Asian Affairs in the State Department and U.S. Ambassador to Sri Lanka Alaina Teplitz when they met the President on January 14 this year

The SOFA which provides effective activation of the 2017-signed 83-page Acquisition and Cross-Services Agreement (ACSA), according to a public statement by the American Ambassador Alaina Teplitz on May 24 last year, would “allow U.S. forces to tour the country to conduct combined security operations.”

The government move, as the Asian Tribune inquiries found, in signing the SOFA with the U.S., was the culmination of the long process of dialogue commenced from August 2018 during the previous Sirisena administration based on the exchange of classified diplomatic notes between the American Embassy and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

The media event was convened by Cabinet spokesman Minister Bandula Gunawardene on July 01 to inform the status of the now controversial Millennium Challenge Corporation Compact Grant (MCC) when he disclose the signing of the SOFA.

“We have taken a decision that all agreements should be in keeping with our constitution; they should not harm our national security; they should not infringe the sovereignty and territorial integrity of the nation. Sri Lanka will not sign any agreement that violates those basic principles. We have not signed the MCC, and President Gotabhaya Rajapaksa has sought the opinion of all the cabinet members. We have signed the ACSA and Sofa”, said the cabinet spokesman Gunawardene.

This was the first occasion that an official announcement was made about the completion of the signing of the SOFA between Sri Lanka and the United States.

The delay in signing the SOFA was attributed to public outcry whether American troops could enter Sri Lanka’s soil, and the American ambassador Teplitz gave an explanation to the affirmative when she met the Malwatte Chapter High Priest in Kandy on May 24 last year.

American ambassador following her meeting with the Mahanayake of Malwatte Buddhist Chapter dismissing the popular belief that the U.S. was planning a military base, confirmed, if Status of Forces Agreement (SOFA) was reached between the two nations, the arrangement would be “to allow U.S. forces to tour the country to conduct combined security operations.”

She said such steps were “very important to strengthen the security of the country as well as strengthen other sectors.”

She did not disclose what ‘other sectors’ were.

When the Malwatte Chapter Mahanayaka Thero referred to American troops entry to Sri Lanka is seen by everyone as dangerous, the Ambassador, referring to the ongoing discussions between the two countries on the details of the SOFA, said “I think what you are referring to is the visiting forces agreement that we are negotiating with the government.”

Following the discussions between the representatives of the United States Government and the Foreign Ministry of the Government of Sri Lanka, the Embassy of the United States of America in Sri Lanka in a ‘Confidential’ note addressing the Foreign Ministry dated 28 August 2018 reiterated the mutually-agreed upon clauses that are incorporated in the Status of Forces Agreement (SOFA) which Asian Tribune construed as inimical to the sovereignty and territorial integrity of Sri Lanka.

Despite Cabinet spokesman Minister Bandula Gunawardene said at the July 01 media gathering that no agreement inimical to the sovereignty of Sri Lanka will be entered into, the ‘Asian Tribune’ is in a position to disclose what Washington endeavors to achieve at the expense of Sri Lanka’s sovereignty providing a reading of this ‘classified’ document and the total repulsive nature of the ‘contents’ of the SOFA now signed between the two countries, as disclosed by Gunawardene.

The classified U.S. Diplomatic Note refers to American troop arrival in Sri Lanka under SOFA, and the facilities the U.S. military will be awarded with the concurrence of the Government of Sri Lanka: A blatant violation of sovereignty and territorial integrity of an independent nation contrary to what the cabinet spokesman said.

SOFAs are multilateral or bilateral agreements that generally establish the framework under which U.S. military personnel operate in a foreign country and how domestic laws of the foreign jurisdiction apply toward U.S. personnel in that country.

The Dip Note says “U.S. personnel be accorded the privileges, exemptions, and immunities equivalent to those accorded to the administrative and technical staff of a diplomatic mission under the Vienna Convention on Diplomatic Relations; that U.S. personnel may enter and exit Sri Lanka with U.S. identification and with collective movement or individual travel orders”.

The communication reminds that the U.S. personnel are not subject to Sri Lanka’s criminal jurisdiction saying “The Government of Sri Lanka recognizes the particular importance of disciplinary control by U.S. Armed forces authorities over U.S. personnel and, therefore, authorizes the Government of the United States to exercise criminal jurisdiction over U.S. personnel while in Sri Lanka.”

It further reminds that, U.S. personnel are free to import and export items without being subject to Sri Lankan inspections: “…the U.S. Department of Defense and U.S. personnel shall not be liable to pay any tax or similar charges within Sri Lanka. The U.S. Department of Defense and U.S. personnel may import into, export out of, and use in Sri Lanka any personal property, equipment, supplies, material, technology, training, or services in connection with activities under this agreement……They shall be exempt from any inspection within Sri Lanka.”

Embassy Note further reminds another understanding toward the finality of SOFA the liberty to move freely of the U.S. Department of Defense vessel and vehicles within the sovereign territory of Sri Lanka: “The Embassy proposes that vessels and vehicles operated by or, at the time, exclusively for the U.S. Department of Defense may enter, exit, and move freely within the territory of Sri Lanka.

Another clause in the SOFA says “Aircrafts and vessels of the U.S. Government shall be free from boarding and inspection.”

The diplomatic exchanges between the American Embassy and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs form the basis of the SOFA when both parties agree to the conditions and contents of the notes, once both parties agree to the contents it is construed that both governments have signed to make SOFA an effective instrument.

Another condition:

(Quote) The Embassy also proposes that the U.S. Department of Defense may contract for any material, supplies, equipment, and services (including construction) to be furnished or undertaken in Sri Lanka without restriction as to choice of contractor, supplier, or person who provides such material, supplies, equipment or services. Such contracts shall be solicited, awarded and administered in accordance with the laws and regulations of the Government of the United States of America.

Acquisition of articles and services in Sri Lanka by or on behalf of the U.S. Department of Defense in connection with activities under the Agreement shall not be subject to any taxes or similar charges in Sri Lanka.(End Quote)M

The proposed SOFA, agreed by both government officials as indicated in this classified diplomatic communication have total freedom of movement within the sovereign state of Sri Lanka: “The Embassy proposes that U.S. personnel shall have freedom of movement and access to and use of mutually agreed transportation, storage, training, and other facilities required in connection with activities under this Agreement.”

In one of the undertakings the Sri Lanka Government under SOFA the U.S. Armed forces are given the right to operate its own telecommunication system within the Island of Sri Lanka. The following paragraph of the diplomatic note is clear that U.S. military personnel will be arriving and located on the Island.

(Quote) The Government of Sri Lanka recognizes that it may be necessary for the U.S. Armed forces to use the radio spectrum. The U.S. Department of Defense shall be allowed to operate its own telecommunication system. This shall include the right to utilize such means and services as required to ensure full ability to operate telecommunication system. The use of the radio spectrum shall be free of cost to the U.S Government. (End Quote)

Washington wants Colombo to acknowledge what is stated in the classified Diplomatic Note that it agrees to everything written in it. The purpose of the Note was that. When the cabinet spokesman Bandula Gunawardene disclosed this week in Colombo that Sri Lanka has already signed SOFA the statement implies that the government has agreed to the conditions of the American Embassy Diplomatic Note which gives effect to the signing of SOFA between the two governments.
So this is why the US was squeezing SL all this while using the HR record of it during the final stages of the SL civil war as a stick to beat it with. Add to that allegations that Gotabhaya was directly implicated in the assassination of a journalist who was a US citizen of SL origin & they got him fair & square.

The US finally has a base to check on the Chinese & PLAN naval operations in the IOR to complement it's bases in the Persian Gulf, Diago Garcia, Djibouti & Singapore to keep an eye on the Malacca straits.

This development does create a separate set of problems for IN operations too in the long term although given our current situation with the Chinese, the GoI can't complain too much though they wouldn't be happy with such a development.
 
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As the things are moving towards a global support for India against China, Pakistan is having serious rethink about their higher than mountain and deeper than sea friend. Pakistan might dump China in a war with India. They never factored in the international support which India is getting and they fear for their own future if they join the war in support of China.
 
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Afghan army cant even control two-third of the country. It will become the insurgent army when salaries stop for which the govt is totally dependent on US. Israeli's do not have that much stake here.
Sir, I hope you have taken into account the recent performance of ANA against Afghan Taliban and PA. The reason why they don't have control over entire country is rugged mountainous territory which is ideal for guerilla warfare. But in a conventional war they would perform much better than PA as they have better training and equipments thanks to US. And Israel would love to destroy sole Islamic nuclear power. They will surely join us if we ask them.
 
Sir, I hope you have taken into account the recent performance of ANA against Afghan Taliban and PA. The reason why they don't have control over entire country is rugged mountainous territory which is ideal for guerilla warfare. But in a conventional war they would perform much better than PA as they have better training and equipments thanks to US. And Israel would love to destroy sole Islamic nuclear power. They will surely join us if we ask them.
im not questioning the performance of ANA. Its very fragile and not secure from the inside. They do not have heavy armor, heavy artillery, or basic air defense. Its not made to fight a conventional war.

It impossible to neutralize all pakistani nuclear bombs with few airstrikes. Could have possible till 80s. Not happening.
 
im not questioning the performance of ANA. Its very fragile and not secure from the inside. They do not have heavy armor, heavy artillery, or basic air defense. Its not made to fight a conventional war.
Sir they have some tanks and artilleries of their own. Air defence would be taken care by Israelis if they get involved. And most of these equipments of PA would be involved in eastern front and leftovers could be taken care by Israeli Airforce. But the main factor here is not equipment but the fact that 4 million+ Afghani refugees live in NWFP who wants it to merge with Afghanistan. The day ANA set it's foot inside the whole NWFP will be on fire. And it would be impossible for PA to save it.
It impossible to neutralize all pakistani nuclear bombs with few airstrikes. Could have possible till 80s. Not happening.
I was not referring to the destruction of Pakistani nuclear assets but of whole Pakistan. Israel would love to do that.
 
Sichuan Tibet Railway: Chengdu Lhasa Railway Under Construction
Qinghai Tibet Railway has facilitated easier entry and convenient tour of Tibet for many tourists, and now China are building several more railways connecting Tibet and other regions in China. The ongoing Sichuan Tibet Railway is the second rail getting to Tibet and it starts from Chengdu, Sichuan to Lhasa, Tibet. Once the direct rail completed, the 36-hour Chengdu to Lhasa train journey will be shortened to merely 13 hours, passing many breathtaking scenery in west Sichuan and east Tibet.

Introduction to Sichuan Tibet Railway Project
With a total length of 1,838KM (1,142mi), Sichuan Tibet Railway is planed as one of the most important rail in southwestern China, which begins from Chengdu, spread to Ya'an, Kangding, Litang in west Sichuan and goes westward to Qamdo, Nyingchi, Shannan and arrivals in Lhasa, Tibet finally. Being one of China’s super engineering projects, Sichuan Tibet Railway has attracted lots of attentions, not only for the extremely complicated geology conditions (like sharp elevation rise of over 3,000m from basin to plateau, high proportion of long tunnels and bridges, sensitive ecological environment, poor local infrastructures...), high investment of more than 270 billion RMB, but also for its milestone role linking south, west and northwest China in the future.

Sichuan Tibet Railway
Sichuan Tibet Railway Route Map

According to official reports, Sichuan Tibet Railway is a east-west railway designed with an running speed of 160km to 200km per hour. The full line is under construction in four separate segments along the existing south Sichuan Tibet Highway, including:


1.Chengdu-Ya’an Section 成都-雅安段
Length: about 140KM

Train Journey: about 1 hour

Current Status: already in service

Serving as the first part of Sichuan Tibet Railway, Chengdu Ya'an Railway has started at the end of 2014 and has already completed and put in to operation on December 28, 2018. It is a national I level double-line electrified rail with a design speed of 160-200km per hour, used both for passenger and freight. Now, there are over 10 high-speed intercity C trains running from Chengdu West Railway Station to southwestward Ya’an Railway Station in Ya’an. Train travels about 1 hour only.

Sichuan Tibet Railway - Chengdu to Ya'an Section
Ya'an Railway Station

Sichuan Tibet Railway - Chengdu to Ya'an Section
Bifengxia Panda Volunteers in Ya'an
2.Ya’an-Kangding Section 雅安-康定段

Length: about 344KM

Train Journey: about 2 hours

Current Status: Under Construction Now

Ya’an to Kangding Railway is the second segment of Sichuan Tibet Railway within Sichuan. It has been built from 2016 and planned to be complete after 7.5 years. The Ya’an-Kangding Section will be a double-line railway running at a speed of 160km per hour. Once finished, it will bring rail transport to Garze Tibetan Autonomous Prefecture for the first time and decrease train travel from Chengdu to Kangding to just over 1 hour, nearly 4 to 5 hours shorter than by bus.
3.Lhasa-Nyingchi Section 拉萨-林芝段
Length: about 435.48KM

Train Journey: about 3 hours

Current Status: Under Construction Now

The Lhasa Nyingchi Railway is the first electrified railway in Tibet, and it will conveniently connect capital city Lhasa and Nyingchi. This part is designed as a single-line level I railway, with a speed of 160m per hour. It has started construction from end of June, 2015, and scheduled for 7 years. Over 28 billion RMB has invested on this line. Most bridges and tunnels proceed normally, and you can look forward to its soon opening in 2021.
4.Kangding-Nyingchi Section 康定-林芝段
Estimated Length: about 1,000KM

Train Journey: about 7 hours

Current Status: Under Construction Now

Kangding Nyingchi Railway is the last, the longest and the most difficult segment on Sichuan Tibet Railway, because the rail will run through China’s longest and widest Hengduan Mountains with many rivers and valleys inside. It is designed to start from Kangding, pass Litang, Mangkang, Zuogong, Basu in Qamdo to Bomi in Nyingchi. The construction has begun since 2018 and predicted to complete in 2025.

Sichuan Tibet Railway - Ya'an to Kangding Section
Tagong Temple in Kangding, Garze

Sichuan Tibet Railway - Lhasa Nyingchi Railway
Pink Sea of Peach Blossom in Nyingchi

Sichuan Tibet Railway - Lhasa Nyingchi Railway
Viaduct Constructed on Lhasa Nyingchi Railway
 
Is the Chinese shipbuilding industry going up in smoke?
Amidst the tense excitement the COVID-19 outbreak has created globally, one image that recently caught the attention of Media worldwide was the fire on board the PLA Navy’s latest Type 075 landing helicopter dock (LHD) amphibious ship. The black smoke billowing from the ship at Shanghai Dockyard was emblematic of the troubles bedevilling the Chinese shipbuilding industry.

On the morning of 11 April 2020, the PLA Navy’s LHD caught fire, as smoke was observed coming out of rear hangar opening and lift near island superstructure. Although the fire was extinguished, the shipyard authorities haven’t announced the extent of damage. Within ten days, the damaged ship was painted extensively to hide the black smoke marks on its superstructure and readied for the launch ceremony of PLA Navy’s second Type 075, on 22 April 2020. The intensity of smoke indicates a major fire which would have caused significant damage to the ship’s aft section, equipment and electrical cables, with resultant time penalties for their repair and replacement.

The fire, while extinguished has rekindled the oft debated issues - quality of material and workmanship in Chinese shipyards and their adherence to industry safety norms and international standards.

Chinese shipbuilding industry

From humble beginnings in the 1990s, to being the industry leader today, transformation of China’s shipbuilding industry has, in some ways mirrored China’s rise in the global order. The shipbuilding industry is also illustrative of the symbiotic nexus between the civilian economy and the defence industrial complex in China. While China today dominates the global market in shipbuilding, what has both fascinated and confounded specialists worldwide is the blistering pace of production that Chinese yards have been able to achieve in rolling out both warships as well as merchantmen.

Over the years, many questions have been raised in this regard by experts worldwide. Although the Chinese have stoutly refuted allegations of poor material and workmanship in their shipyards and the China Classification Society’s alleged collusion in flouting of international standards, scepticism on the achievement of these compressed timelines (especially in the more complex field of warship design and construction) continue to linger. Consequently, various efforts have been made by multiple agencies to specifically analyse the quality of build and combat efficiency of indigenously built PLA Navy ships. However, owing to the opaque manner in which the government-military-industry complex functions in China, requisite details to make an accurate assessment have not been forthcoming. In the absence of such data, an alternate approach is to examine the warships that Chinese shipyards have built for their international customers.

China’s military sales

According to the Stockholm International Peace Research Institute (SIPRI), China’s conventional arms sales surged from US$ 645 million in 2008 to US$ 1.04 billion in 2018. The major share of this export, about 75 per cent was to Asian countries, while Africa contributes to about 20 per cent. With imports amounting to US$ 6,426 million (2008-18), Pakistan contributes to over 50 per cent of Chinese defence exports. Bangladesh is also a prolific purchaser of Chinese defence equipment, having spent US$ 1,930 million (2008-18), which is 71.8 per cent of its defence spending. It would, therefore, be useful to examine their acquisitions to better understand the quality of construction and business practices of the Chinese shipbuilding industry.

Pakistan

Pakistan is currently acquiring eight Yuan Class submarines from China under ‘Project Hangor.’ The first four submarines would be constructed by CSOC in China, while the remainder is to be assembled at KS&EW in Pakistan.

MTU, Germany, manufactures the diesel engine 16V396SE84, which is used for this class of submarines’ propulsion. In 2002, NORINCO, China had entered an agreement with MTU, wherein they were permitted to manufacture these engines (as per Chinese standards) for domestic use only. Subsequently, NORINCO has been manufacturing these engines, under licence as ‘Engine 165’ for submarines of PLA Navy.

As per the contract with Pakistan Navy (PN), CSOC would instal engines being manufactured by NORINCO in all its eight submarines. However, Germany has objected, with the MTU warning CSOC and NORINCO that they were not authorised to either build or instal these ‘165 Engines’ for a third party (Pakistan) and accused them of breach of contract.

Pakistan has since requested the Germans to consider a waiver on export licences for supply of these engines for the submarines. While the final decision on the deliberations is still not known, it is important to highlight that the export of MTU engines by Germany to China for fitment on Pakistan Navy submarines would be a breach of the Wassenaar Arrangement.

While both China and Pakistan profess an ‘all-weather ironclad friendship,’ this relationship is not without its share of problems as can be discerned from the case of the refurbishment of the Chinese built F22P frigates. These ships have been beset with various technical malfunctions. To overcome these limitations, the PN, in September 2018, had requested CSTS, China for a comprehensive proposal to undertake the Mid-Life Upgrade/overhaul of these ships. The Chinese, however, seeing no substantial commercial profit has evinced no interest, forcing PN to turn to Turkey.

Sri Lanka

In June 2019, China gifted a PLA Navy warship to Sri Lankan Navy (SLN). The 2,300 tonne Jiangwei I Class decommissioned frigate was stripped of its main armament - missile and CIWS systems before handing it over to Sri Lanka, which commissioned it as an offshore patrol vessel (OPV) SLNS Parakramabahu. SLNS Parakramabahu sailed on its maiden voyage from Shanghai on 25 June 2019, but reportedly had major operational defects, requiring it to pull into port en route and undertake substantial emergency repairs.

Bangladesh

Over the last decade, supported by generous loans and competitive pricing, China has become the mainstay of Bangladesh’s major naval acquisitions. These discounted procurements include two used Type 035G Ming Class submarines (recommissioned as BNS Nobojatra and BNS Joyjatra) that were offered at just over US$ 100 million a piece. In April 2003, PLA Navy Ming Class submarine 361 had suffered a mechanical failure in the Yellow Sea, killing all 70 crew members.

The Bangladesh Navy (BN) has also procured over 20 surface combatants from China. Acquired under a G2G basis through CSOC and PTI, BN has reported a number of defects onboard these and discussions are underway to mitigate these long pending defects. Major defects, across various classes of ships built by the Chinese, include rapid corrosion of the underwater hull and propellers, welding defects, excessive vibrations of main engines etc. Ships’ operating speeds have also shown a reduction of up to 5 knots within a few years of commissioning. While multiple problems in machinery controls, onboard electronics, faulty PCBs etc have also been plaguing these ships, submarines fitted with obsolete Halon fire-fighting systems have gone out of production since 1994.

Most recently, the BN accepted delivery of two Chinese 053H3 Frigates (BNS Umar Farooq and BNS Abu Ubaidah) at Shnejia Shipyard. Both ships arrived at Mongla Port Bangladesh in 2020, after experiencing multiple defects en route. During the sea trials, performance of the H/LRM1290A Navigation Radar was unsatisfactory and it was not accepting GPS and AIS feeds.

COVID-19 pandemic

According to the Chinese Ministry of Industry and Information Technology, at the end of the first-quarter, China’s shipyards had orders amounting to 79.55 million DWT, down 5.6 per cent year-on-year.

Post-COVID-19, many client countries, where Chinese shipyards have ongoing business, cancelled visits to China and banned entry of Chinese nationals to their countries. Further, production timelines are universally lagging across China. Co-location of military design institutes with the Wuchang Shipyard at Wuhan has directly affected naval projects also. As regards projects under implementation, estimates indicate losses roughly to the tune of ¥ 800 million in export projects for Malaysia and Bangladesh Navies alone. Military budget cuts in Thailand, owing to COVID-19 has halted its plan to buy two modified export versions of the Yuan Class (Type 041) submarines, worth ฿ 22 billion from China. A recent CSIC report forecasts the probability of China losing new international shipping contracts to Japan and South Korea.

A clearer picture will of course emerge only after the ‘smoke clears,’ but by then it would have certainly dented the Chinese image and credibility.
 
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