I don't know from where you got the 1200 jets number for China & WS15 equipping from 2026 data. These datas are not correct as per my knowledge & information.Apart from the char-sau-bees Pakistanis, the real threats today are just J-10s, J-11BGs, J-16s, and J-20s. They come up to about 1200 jets. Out of that, the WS-15 equipped J-20s have started only from this year. The rest of the Chinese fleet is quite useless due to the Tibetan wall or due to obsolescence.
Today, only 50-60 J-10Cs and 14 J-20s are deployed against India in Tibet. And there are another 100-200 jets elsewhere. It's not 700. You are counting the stuff deployed closer to Mongolia and Central Asia. Most of their 4th gen and higher are deployed in the plains to the east.
And we don't need one jet for every one of theirs. Fighters protect airspace, so numbers are determined by the size of the airspace and how many jets you might lose protecting it. We just need 100 jets each on both sides for air defense, the rest are for attrition replacements and other roles.
Anyway, If you consider the security threat perceptions of China , they've at present very negligible threats from its north, west & south in air domain EXCEPT INDIA. The entire deployment of it's assets in these region can be deployed against India at a time if they want. So the number 700 is not exaggeration but realistic. Threat perceptions don't work on minor skirmish & short term threat negotiations. These work on log term sustainability.
When China will attack ( which is certain to happen) Taiwan , the maximum deployment apart from the war front will be on our side to deter us from any plan against their actions.
Yes ,Our airspace is smaller than Chinese airspace. But the actual thing is WHO HAS MORE CONTESTED AIRSPACE. China is empowering Pakistan & now even Bangladesh ( as per latest news) to increase area of our contested airspace along with Chinese border.
One to one platform deployment is not possible for us , especially against China, as of next 20 to 30 years and that's reality. But we can't deny the minimum deterrence envelope. So, a 60 to 65 squadron strength is an undeniable reality.
Along with that we've to get technological & manufacturing parity with China too in quick time. Because a war/ conflict is all about sustainable resource management. Pakistan is a no match for us , but it is ofcourse a threat to be countered.
Last edited:
