Is China’s PLA more ‘powerful’ than Indian Army? Data reveals India has second-largest…, China is…

The Indian Army is the second-largest standing army in the world with 14,55,550 active troops.

Indian Army power: Amid escalating tensions raising fears of a full-scale India-Pakistan war, China has come out in open support of its “all-weather ally”, vowing to defend the “security and sovereignty” of India’s bitter. This could lead to a direct military confrontation between the Indian Army and China’s Peoples Liberation Army (PLA), if indeed a major India-Pakistan war erupts.

The ongoing war fever between nuclear-armed South Asian giants has put the spotlight on the capabilities of their respective armed forces, with many wondering whether the Chinese Army (PLA) or the Indian Army is more powerful, and who will prevail in a direct military confrontation between the two. Let us try to answer this complex question with credible data:

World’s third most powerful country

According to various global military power rankings and senior geo-political experts, China is the third most powerful country based on military power, with the United States and Russia occupying the top two spots, respectively. China has the largest standing army in the world, with a total strength of 3,170,900 soldiers, including 20,35,000 active personnel, and 51,0000 reserve troops.

The Chinese Air Force, which has a strength of 40,0000 troops, is one of the most advanced in the world, while its Navy boasts 3,80,000 soldiers, and has advanced modern warships, fighter jets, nuclear submarines and other advanced weaponry. The Chinese Navy has three aircraft carriers, 50 destroyers and 61 submarines, as per reports.

According to latest figures, the Chinese Army has an estimated 6800 tanks, 2750 rocket artillery, 144,017 vehicles, 3309 aircraft, 1212 fighter jets, and 281 attack helicopters. Apart from this, China’s Navy has three aircraft carriers, 50 destroyers and 61 submarines.

How powerful are India’s tri-forces?

While China is undoubtedly a superior military power, India is not a lightweight either. As per global power rankings, India is the fourth largest military power globally after the US, Russia, and China. The Indian Army is the second-largest standing army in the world with 14,55,550 active troops, 11,55000 reserve soldiers and 25,27000 paramilitary forces, taking the combined troop strength to 5,137,550 soldiers.

The Indian Air Force and the Indian Navy have 31,0575 and 14,2252 active personnel, and their power levels are augmented by advanced warships, frigates, nuclear submarines, fighter jets, and an array of hypersonic, supersonic, and conventional missiles like the BrahMos, Agni, Pralay, to name a few.

According to details, the Indian Army has 4201 tanks, 148594 vehicles, 264 rocket artillery, the IAF has 2229 aircraft, 513 fighter jets, 80 attack helicopters, while the Indian Navy has two aircraft carriers, 13 destroyers, and 18 submarines.