I was wondering which of the armies in East Asia (PLA, ROKA, JSDF) has the best infantry, this includes training, equipment, battle-experience, etc. I saw an earlier post of the rankings worldwide, but recently, I heard people say those in the ROKA are the strongest in Asia. So how does the PLA stack in East Asia? Is it comparable, if not superior? Sorry, I don't have much expertise in this area, so any ideas would be appreciated.:china:
East Asian Infantry
- Thread starter Panda
- Start date
PiSigma
"the engineer"
this will of course be based on opinion. someone from taiwan will of course think that ROKA is superior, but you need to consider that ROKA is almost entirely a conscription army, that means low moral.
From a economic point of view, Japan's army is best equiped, especially infantry since they can't invest in weapons for aggression. some of their equipment is even better than what the americans have since they are just so rich and have very limited numbers of men in the service unlike USA or China where millions are in the armed services.
mainland china have some intense training for category A troops and less intense for category B troops. if you look at the training for category A, they obviously don't care much about injury, training is very intense, although might not be as high tech as japan's. category B is a lot of work than category A. and if you look at chinese marines, the troops are trained even harder almost following the doctrines of US navy seals, but not quite there.
these three armies haven't fought each other in over 50 years, so you can't really say which one is definitely better. and let's hope they don't ever need to fight each other to prove who is stronger.
From a economic point of view, Japan's army is best equiped, especially infantry since they can't invest in weapons for aggression. some of their equipment is even better than what the americans have since they are just so rich and have very limited numbers of men in the service unlike USA or China where millions are in the armed services.
mainland china have some intense training for category A troops and less intense for category B troops. if you look at the training for category A, they obviously don't care much about injury, training is very intense, although might not be as high tech as japan's. category B is a lot of work than category A. and if you look at chinese marines, the troops are trained even harder almost following the doctrines of US navy seals, but not quite there.
these three armies haven't fought each other in over 50 years, so you can't really say which one is definitely better. and let's hope they don't ever need to fight each other to prove who is stronger.
Does the PLA have a sizable competent army that can compete man-for-man with the ROKA/ROKMC or the JSDF? And how is it divided up according to categories? So from what you're suggesting, the PLA elite units are the most hardened troops in East Asia?
Last edited:
"Does the PLA have a sizable competent army that can compete man-for-man with the ROKA/ROKMC or the JSDF?"
You should be asking the question the other way around. Does the ROKA or the JSDF have a sizable competent army that can compete man for man with the PLA? The answer is no. Even though a small portion of the PLA is modernised and has been turned into RRU (not even taking elite marines and airborne units into consideration!), they are still larger in number than the other ones you have mentioned.
"And how is it divided up according to categories? So from what you're suggesting, the PLA elite units are the most hardened troops in East Asia?"
PLA troops are divided into categories, Cat A gets the most training, funding, the most advanced equipment available, and Cat B basically gets less of everything. You really should read the website over, it'll answer 80% of your questions such as this (I mean, Cat A and Cat B is really basic stuff for military enthusiasts).
You should be asking the question the other way around. Does the ROKA or the JSDF have a sizable competent army that can compete man for man with the PLA? The answer is no. Even though a small portion of the PLA is modernised and has been turned into RRU (not even taking elite marines and airborne units into consideration!), they are still larger in number than the other ones you have mentioned.
"And how is it divided up according to categories? So from what you're suggesting, the PLA elite units are the most hardened troops in East Asia?"
PLA troops are divided into categories, Cat A gets the most training, funding, the most advanced equipment available, and Cat B basically gets less of everything. You really should read the website over, it'll answer 80% of your questions such as this (I mean, Cat A and Cat B is really basic stuff for military enthusiasts).
MIGleader
Banned Idiot
i would say china simply because they have more troops than all of east asia combined. this combined with some relatively new and advanced equipments under a central command would ensure victory.
in training difficulty, the toss up goes to china or nk, since they both have very disciplined, hard training. japan and sk probably would have more realistic-based training like the u.s, but chinas gaining on em.
in terms of tech the advantage goes to the sk's and japanese, armed to the teeth with adavanced u.s and indegedous electronic and military technology. the problem is, they have too many u.s troops and commanders running in or jointly with the armed forces. although this combined concept as advocated by america is good on paper, i think it would lead to severe difficulties, especially in a war with a tough enemy, and the war starts going off of plan.
taiwan, which uses second hand u.s equipoment and has a government not very popular with the army...doesnt really have a position in the rising powers of the other east asia militaries. it really seems to rely on america more than its own military.
in training difficulty, the toss up goes to china or nk, since they both have very disciplined, hard training. japan and sk probably would have more realistic-based training like the u.s, but chinas gaining on em.
in terms of tech the advantage goes to the sk's and japanese, armed to the teeth with adavanced u.s and indegedous electronic and military technology. the problem is, they have too many u.s troops and commanders running in or jointly with the armed forces. although this combined concept as advocated by america is good on paper, i think it would lead to severe difficulties, especially in a war with a tough enemy, and the war starts going off of plan.
taiwan, which uses second hand u.s equipoment and has a government not very popular with the army...doesnt really have a position in the rising powers of the other east asia militaries. it really seems to rely on america more than its own military.
Wat make u sure the conscript army can't fight? Wat make u think the morale will be low.When ur family, society, future, loved ones are at stake, will u choose not to fight back? Don't forget the Soviet Army making up of large numbers of conscripts and volunteers defeat the German army.
Yeah, Delphi is rigth, small nations whit conscription army can defeat even superpowers, numerical srength shouldnt be focused too much. spirit and morale are almoust equal factors along whit equipment and armory.
To be specific, I think we're comparring the typical infantry solider quality between East Asian national armies, right?
It's true that some nations have good special forces - the South Korean Marines have good rep and some of Singapore's special forces receive the same US Navy Seal training. But those are elite forces and does not represent the whole army or "typical infantry".
Let's look at North Korea -
In North Korea male students are required to do draft registration at age 14. At age 16 they're given physical exams and start prelimarily military training, kind of like the ROTC program in the US.
A North Korean high school student typically receives 300 hours of military training per year, of which 160 hours are at their school, and the rest at summer camp. College students are required to do 160 hours of training per year at school, plus one-time 6 month training at camp.
For a typical North Korean male, before he enters conscript military service, he has already received at least 600 hours of limited military training in high school.
The length of the conscript service varies from 4 to 12 years, depending on your job. The basic infantry usually serves for 4 years, while those with advanced training are sometimes kept until age 30.
IMO often we dismiss certain countries because they're poor, but being poor doesn't prevent a national army from being well-trained (but not well-equipped) and well-disciplined. The PRC was a poor country during the Korean war era, but its infantry was far better disciplined than the Iraqis in 1991.
It's true that some nations have good special forces - the South Korean Marines have good rep and some of Singapore's special forces receive the same US Navy Seal training. But those are elite forces and does not represent the whole army or "typical infantry".
Let's look at North Korea -
In North Korea male students are required to do draft registration at age 14. At age 16 they're given physical exams and start prelimarily military training, kind of like the ROTC program in the US.
A North Korean high school student typically receives 300 hours of military training per year, of which 160 hours are at their school, and the rest at summer camp. College students are required to do 160 hours of training per year at school, plus one-time 6 month training at camp.
For a typical North Korean male, before he enters conscript military service, he has already received at least 600 hours of limited military training in high school.
The length of the conscript service varies from 4 to 12 years, depending on your job. The basic infantry usually serves for 4 years, while those with advanced training are sometimes kept until age 30.
IMO often we dismiss certain countries because they're poor, but being poor doesn't prevent a national army from being well-trained (but not well-equipped) and well-disciplined. The PRC was a poor country during the Korean war era, but its infantry was far better disciplined than the Iraqis in 1991.
adeptitus said:
Totally agree, the elite infantrymen cannot be considered the main strength of the combat units of the army. Elite units are used for special ops that will help the main fighting elements. The regular infantry units will always be the main fighting elements in the army.
China has a large number of CAT A infantry along with its large number of "elite infantry" and this "spear head" is very hardcore and also enjoys a numerical advantage over pretty much every army in the world.
In terms on the ROC army and their conscripts... yes these men can be very hardcore too if they can be stirred up in the right way. But at the moment these men r more interested in having a good time in civilian life then fighting against PLA. In addition u can usually see the morale of the soldiers in they way they march. I have seen ROC infantry march many times, they don't march very well.
JSDF infantry... i have heard alot of good things them. I am sure their equipment is really good. Buti observed a Sp Op operation (police) in a hostage rescue last yr. I was very interested in their handling of the op. But i was disappointed in that the op was a disaster all the way from the beginning of its execution. (if u want the details i will tell u but its long). Then observing JSDF ops in Iraq i must say i was not impressed either coz who then hell has their flag on their chest, shoulder, back and helmet. It will make u stand out like "dog Sh*t". In addition before they left Japan they posed for the cameras in a very immature way which reflects their immaturity as an army.
ROK infantry, i got a few friends who were ROK infantry. Knowing korean men, these men r hardcore and sometimes crazy when it comes to combat. But nevertheless they r mostly conscripts who, like their ROC counterparts r more interested in civilian life then war. But i would say they r good, better than the Americans.
Thai infantry...... they don't clean their rifles properly. I observed that 8 out of 10 soldiers have rust on the flash suppressor of their M16s. Poor soldiering.
Singapore infantry.... some of them patrol out of formation.... but they singapores defence is not in its military but ties with numerous other countries.
Generally.... and not being a prick......... infantry trained by the USA is not very good. That includes USA infantry. If u want details i can give u.
The weakness in PLA infantry is that they have not been in a war for a very long time.
British Gerkers (bad spelling). Thought not an East Asian army these men r hardcore to the max considering that they r not elite units. But u can consider them elite. They r good, very very very very good. I would not like to engage a Gerker unit directly if we r equal in numbers with regular infantry.
adeptitus said:
Completely agree with u there. The PLA during the Korean caused the USA's longest retreat in their history. Also PLA at that time was unrivaled in the speed of their march. Also moving 100 000 men undetected across the Yalu river is a reflection of the quality of both officers and soldiers.
And lets not forget the North Vietnamese army who defeated a superpower. These men and women are the most respected fighting people ever.
Last edited:
chopsticks
Junior Member
Mr_C said:
what do you mean by "patrol out of formation"???
and i don't agree that our defence is military ties and not military... (we don't trust foreign powers to protect us after "impregnable" fortress fell so foolishly to japs when we had 3 to 1 numerical advantage) Singapore armed forces is very hardcore about tech and toys and has been spending alot on it.. just that the training for infantry has gotten a little softer... "Prince Soldier" as they call it in Taiwan haha...
however i agree with u that Usa style training is very very un-hardened. the reason is probably safety and liberalism.
soldiers nowadays know their rights and won't take any form of ill-treatment... esp in western or Usa-style armies...
In China, the basic military training has the soldier not able to return home for a whole year (or 2 or 3 whole years?? cant remember exactly, not sure the exact duration now)
those guys are really hardened and sorta crazy too...
Mr_C said:
i think u r referring to Guhkas... at least thats how its read (im not sure of the spelling too!! haha) they're mostly from Nepal (and surrounding regions..)
Guhkas are one of THE most hardened troops in the whole world. they're really crazy... my country has employed some of them here in our police force. also, we give their army some training in our camps... i witness some of their training once... they run around with full battle gear, uphill/downhill, NON-STOP. some even with extra 17 litre jerry-cans strapped to their field packs (or so i heard).. the reason they're tough is because their country has really rough terrain and low oxygen.
they're a breed ahead of China/NK troops in terms of hardened-ness and fitness, who are then a breed ahead of Nato troops.
Last edited: