top Threats to the PLA "in my opinion"

I think something that needs to be noted is the context in which an amphibious assault would occur, i.e. in what situation could the PLA use this option, and what state the Taiwanese military would have to be in for them to pull it off. As we all know military structure is generally linked together - it would be highly unlikely for Taiwan's Air Force to be decimated while leaving ground forces intact - command structures and coordination would very likely be disrupted to a considerable degree if the Chinese are able to launch a successful amphibious invasion.

Granted this does not change the individual specifications of the weapon systems themselves, just something to consider when hypothesizing combat scenarios.

On points one and two I am not as well-versed so I'll leave this to someone who has the expertise to answer it... I can only speak from experience in Taiwan, somewhat related to three.

I'm not sure how to counter the Javelin so I'm just tossing my weight around other factors that might influence Chinese tank use and their mission profile. I really don't have any answer as to a counter so I will consider the feasibility of the PLA using tanks.

To put it simply, Taiwan is a very poor environment for tank use, I personally have a hard time envisioning a situation in which the Chinese would have to use tanks in order to accomplish their mission goals, though it is certainly possible that I may have simply overlooked a mission. Taiwanese armor have consistently been faced with logistical problems, namely getting armor where it is needed - and this problem would be the same for any tank force, invading or defending. There are very few large plains on the western coast - most of it consists of urban areas and farmland (to broadly generalize). Tanks would most likely be used in the city, where it's questionable how the ground would be able to support the weight.

If someone can bring up a scenario where tanks would be absolutely imperative by all means bring it up.

I think their is a degree in difference of perspective. Most US Amphibeous assaults were WW2 stormings of small Japanese held Islands where the action was very expensive.

Taiwan is big enough though, for the example of Operation Overlord (D Day) to be brought into consideration. In short, sufficent deception and subtefuge could be employed by the PLA that these effective weapons are not able to bought to bear untill it is to late for them to have any kind of decisive impact.

I don't think the three systems that I have brought to bear would change the out come of the war because if the PLA is landing then the PLA has air supremacy and it will just be a matter of time until the defeat of the ROC would be finalized. The real outcome of any conflict would be won and lost in the airspace over the straits of Taiwan.

However these three systems would be a absolute nightmare to deal with I believe. Your are right zergling I don't believe the PRC would be using tanks on the level many people think they would. I do think the PRC would use massive amounts of special troops/forces to deal with these three threats. I think these special troops/forces and their ability to direct close air-support would be the end game for these systems....cheers ute

Originally Posted by utelore

I don't think the three systems that I have brought to bear would change the out come of the war because if the PLA is landing then the PLA has air supremacy and it will just be a matter of time until the defeat of the ROC would be finalized. The real outcome of any conflict would be won and lost in the airspace over the straits of Taiwan.

However these three systems would be a absolute nightmare to deal with I believe. Your are right zergling I don't believe the PRC would be using tanks on the level many people think they would. I do think the PRC would use massive amounts of special troops/forces to deal with these three threats. I think these special troops/forces and their ability to direct close air-support would be the end game for these systems....cheers ute

Well here's an important point (in my opinion). If it comes to infantry and light armor fighting each other on Taiwanese soil then the outcome will be determined primarily by the will of the Taiwanese leadership to resist the invaders.

Should that happen the playing field will have already been leveled quite a bit, as China's biggest advantages now seem to be the ballistic missiles and massive manpower, the strengths of which would be negated considerably by this sort of conflict.