Like US, will China join Iran-Israel war to support Tehran? Is its army capable of...? Will it be a shocker for...
Like US, will China join Iran-Israel war to support Tehran? Is its arm capable of…? Will it be a shocker for…
The United States has recently joined the Iran-Israel war and carried out precision attacks on Iran's nuclear sites — Fordow, Natanz, and Isfahan. The sudden attacks by America have escalated tensions in the Middle East. The question arising is: Will China, which is the largest trading partner and oil buyer of Iran, support Tehran during this tough time? Does the People's Liberation Army (PLA) have the capability to fight a war 5,000 km away? Let us know how much military power China has:
China-Iran Relations
China and Iran share a good bilateral relations with each other. Both the countries have a 25-year strategic cooperation agreement (2021), covering energy, trade, infrastructure and military cooperation.
Oil trade: Iran supplies about 2 million barrels of oil to China per day. This accounts 15 percent of the Beijing's oil imports. 90 percent of Iran's oil exports go to China via 'dark fleet' tankers to evade Western sanctions.
Strategic Partnership: Iran is China's important partner to counter US influence in the Middle East.
Military Cooperation: China has supplied missile technology, drone parts, and rocket fuel to Iran.
Will China Enters Iran War? China's Military Power-
The Chinese People's Liberation Army (PLA), a massive force of 2 million active personnel and 1 million reservists equipped with advanced weaponry, presents a significant military power. However, its ability to effectively project power into the Middle East, a region 5,000 kilometers distant, warrants examination of both its capabilities and constraints.
Soldiers: 9.7 lakh active soldiers.
Weapons: 7,000 tanks, 35,000 armoured vehicles and 12,000 artillery pieces.
Navy (PLAN)
Warships: 425 ships, including 3 aircraft carriers (Liaoning, Shandong, Fujian), 72 submarines and 150 warships.
Missiles: DF-21D and DF-26 'Carrier Killer' ballistic missiles, which has rage of 1800–4000 km, and can destroy naval targets.
Capability: The PLAN has an increasing presence in the Indian Ocean. It has only one overseas military base (Djibouti), which is small and surrounded by Western bases.
Air Force (PLAAF)
Aircraft: 3,200 aircraft, including 600 stealth J-20 fighter jets, 400 J-16s and 250 bombers (H-6K).
Missiles: PL-15 air-to-air missile (200 km range) and CJ-20 cruise missile.
Rocket Force (PLARF)
Missiles: 2000 ballistic and cruise missiles, including the DF-41 ICBM (12000 km range) and the hypersonic DF-17.
Cyber and Space Forces
China's People's Liberation Army (PLA) possesses sophisticated cyber warfare capabilities, including the ability to disrupt radar and communication systems. Their space-based assets, comprising approximately 400 satellites, offer surveillance and targeting support. While the PLA can provide indirect support, such as intelligence gathering, its direct combat effectiveness remains limited.
Limitation: China has restricted itself from supplying advanced weapons like PL-15 missile to Iran as it increases the risk of global sanctions.
Logistical Challenge: The People's Liberation Army (PLA) faces significant logistical hurdles in projecting power over long distances. Its current capabilities for maritime and air transport are insufficient to support military operations 5,000 kilometers from its bases. Online commentary suggests the PLA's effectiveness is limited to coastal regions, making it vulnerable in more distant conflicts.
Economic Interests: Oil supplies from Iran is a major source of China's energy security. If Israel and US attack Iran's oil refineries, China's economy could be affected.
If China joins the Iran war, a military operation 5,000 km away requires massive naval and air support, which Beijing does not have. Its military is inexperienced in foreign warfare and don't have overseas bases.
China's foreign policy prioritizes non-intervention, favouring diplomatic engagement and economic assistance over military involvement in international conflicts. While possessing a formidable military, the People's Liberation Army's capabilities are primarily geared towards regional defence, limiting its potential for distant interventions like those in the Middle East. This, combined with China's non-interventionist stance and concerns about US confrontation, further restricts its propensity for direct military action abroad.
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