"China State TV Says Its Military Can Reach New Delhi ..." Topic

…In 48 Hours.

"It would take China's motorised troops 48 hours and its paratroops 10 hours to reach India's capital if war broke out," a Chinese State television channel boldly proclaimed.

This is not the first time China has tried to use rhetoric as a deterrence strategy but it comes as probably the first one that is so specific. Interestingly, this also comes on the back of Indian Army Chief General Bipin Rawat's pointed comment on honing India's Cold Start strategy for Pakistan.

Does the Chinese state TV's statement come as nothing more than a deterrence tool, or are the claims viable?…"
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Armand

I think the comments by all the retired Indian Army officers pretty much sum up just how viable these threats are. One can only wonder why the state TV service made them, since nobody with any military knowledge would take them seriously.

They have been practicing moving their troops around the country by train.

Of course, that'll just end up being a light infantry force, I suspect.

Nukes would seem to trump troops, as well, if things really get hot.

Sounds like more for local consumption. And the terrain between New Delhi and China could play a big factor in deploying ground troops. I'd imagine both sides have looked at that factor, regardless.

However, one thing to take into account. 20% of the
World is Chinese and 20% is Indian. So if they had to … both could take very high losses, I'd think.

The story is absolutely correct. Chinese troops could actually reach New Delhi in much less than 48 hours. Of course, these troops would not enjoy their stay and most would never return home. But, they could reach New Delhi. Sure.

Of course, that'll just end up being a light infantry force, I suspect.

Given the terrain on the China-India border is some of the highest mountains ranges in the world (Himalayas), light infantry or more likely para troopers is all that can get to New Dehli in any time at all.

Even heli-borne forces would be largely useless. Not much rotary flies at those altitudes and if it does, then it's with extremely limited payloads.

C'mon wargamers – remember terrain plays a key role in any military operation even in this age of technological wonders.

Yeah, the "Hump" over the Himalayas was brutal flying in WW2…

Can't imagine trying to fly troops the other direction without some ballistic-missile preparatory fire first! (Note that this could be conventional weapons or even simple kinetics, but an IRBM is basically required).

I agree with Deadles and Lion. That was my point in my previous post … It may take longer than 48 hours because of the terrain between New Delhi and the PRC border.

And if all they could do is drop paras on New Delhi, they won't last very long without support, etc. They would be cut off as soon as they landed.

And Light Infantry, even with trucks, the terrain is very difficult. As was pointed out, as we saw in WWII. If the PRC Light Infantry was walking. Well they'd never make it in 48 hours.

C'mon wargamers – remember terrain plays a key role in any military operation even in this age of technological wonders.

Amen … And the study of history is important as well.