PLA’s Achilles’ heel: How India’s professional army holds the edge over China’s conscript force
Warfare, especially in unforgiving Himalayan terrain, is determined not just by technological advancement or sheer numbers but by the caliber, resilience, and commitment of individual soldiers Border Personnel Meeting between Indian Army and Peoples Liberation army conducted by the Peoples Liberation army at the Chinese Side in Bum La, Arunachal Pradesh on October 30, 2019. While much has been said about technological advances and economic might, an often underestimated factor is the stark difference between the composition and experience of soldiers in both armies: India’s all-volunteer professional army against China’s predominantly conscripted force. India’s Volunteer Force: Experience as a Force Multiplier In stark contrast, the Indian Army, a volunteer force of approximately 1.2 million soldiers, invests heavily in its personnel, ensuring long-term professional careers with extensive combat experience. This creates a strategic vulnerability India can exploit, using attrition warfare and sustained defensive operations to leverage its professional soldiers’ superior endurance, adaptability, and experience. India’s volunteer, professional army, steeped in combat experience, morale, and institutional knowledge, stands poised to leverage a clear advantage over the PLA’s conscript-based forces.
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