China's power projection capability

Scenario (just assume its possible)
China joins Russia, US, and EU military attack on Iran, both air and spec opps raid to prevent development of nukes.

What kind of military hardware can PLAN provide the coalition.

Here is what I think:
4-5 destroyers to patrol the Persian Gulf
3-4 squadron of J-11, strike aircraft. (I think it would be best time to show off and see the actual capabilities of the J-10. The US will certainly show off the F-22 if there is such a war)
1 Regiment of special forces troops for rapid raid supported by corresponding helicopter support.

I would say add JH-7A and H-6 to that list. They would be the strike aircraft. Possibly, bring some of their IL-76 and IL-78. Add to that, supply a few AWACS. For destroyers, they'd probably be accompanied by the newest 053 and the 054s.

i don't think china will show off all her new toys, just because the PLA don't want other's to know their true capabilities.. but they will bring it some new toys that everyone know about to test them in actual warfare and to gain experience. of course can watch the americans fight a major war first hand, that's got to teach some something about modern warfare.. afterall USA is still the most powerful nation on the planet.

Considering that Japan and 1 or 2 other East Asian Nations have been complaining about the lack of transparency in China's military spending, showing off China's teeth would not only show what was spent on what but also prove that the People's Republic is dedicated to maintaining Peace. Its a Win-Win.

I dont see why China would get invovled in such a war. China can and maybe someday would join the countries mentioned above but attack on Iran?! I oplogize for what im saying but it just doesnt add up. We are talking modern China and global politics of today shows that such a attack is quite impossible but maybe in the farther future. China today would not get involved in such a feasco unless Iran attacked China (again un-realistic). Now if Iran had attacked China, I would say the that China would really let Iran have it. H-6s, JH-7s, J-10s, J-11s, subs, destroyers. China does not attack a country unless that country sevearly threatend China or made a direct assult first.

Don't think China will ever participate in any mid east venture, but I suspect they will bomb North Korea if it ever goes nuclear and if Kim there ever gives the slightest hint to threaten or blackmail the PRC with it.

crobato said:

Don't think China will ever participate in any mid east venture, but I suspect they will bomb North Korea if it ever goes nuclear and if Kim there ever gives the slightest hint to threaten or blackmail the PRC with it.

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Acutually, beleive it or not, Kim's got more than half of his nukes pointed at China, isnt that a big threat? Kim has already gone nuclear, may be not long range weapons but can still hit China. But we've pointed our nukes at him too .Mid eastern or not, China would not get involved in any conflict unless there is a good reason (and I mean very GOOD).

renmin said:

Acutually, beleive it or not, Kim's got more than half of his nukes pointed at China, isnt that a big threat? Kim has already gone nuclear, may be not long range weapons but can still hit China. But we've pointed our nukes at him too .Mid eastern or not, China would not get involved in any conflict unless there is a good reason (and I mean very GOOD).

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I don't think Kim got an actual working nuke yet, but it only means he got ballistic missles pointed at China.

Kim is a loon. If he really has a nuke pointed at China and has the nuts to use it, I would think China would preempt such an attempt by precision attacks and the entire PLA rolling across his borders. This is probably the most acceptable means rather than a nuclear exchange.

If in the near future Iran really messed up big time and there was some kind of coalition involving China to strike Iran, I think China would only send a token force. In my opinion China is still learning its new role on the international stage is not ready to be an ally with America yet in any armed conflict. It is also busy improving the quality of its forces and although it now has some good equipment Chinese pilots are not yet as competent as the west and if they lost more planes than an equivalent western power (equivalent in number of aircraft sent to the region not total air strength) which is quite possible, then at this stage it would be bad for China on the world stage.
However if the scenario was in ten years time, then I think China would be much more ready, able and willing to be involved in any UN action against a future "rogue" state.

crobato said:

I don't think Kim got an actual working nuke yet, but it only means he got ballistic missles pointed at China.

Kim is a loon. If he really has a nuke pointed at China and has the nuts to use it, I would think China would preempt such an attempt by precision attacks and the entire PLA rolling across his borders. This is probably the most acceptable means rather than a nuclear exchange.

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Most of the North Korean Army is deployed in the DMZ, the Northern border with China is relatively unprotected. A Chinese armored thrust comprising 3 armored divisions, can roll through Pyongyang before the NK army can redeploy.