Quote:
Originally Posted by Snuffleupagus
I seem to remember Iraqs republican guard was supposed to be a formidable opponent as well but as soon as the bombs started dropping they ran as fast as possible, I suspect a couple of B-2 stealth bombing runs over their artillery batteries would have the same effect.
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Way different scenario here, if the Iranians would have had any kind of deterrent in place its a different war, instead the American's pretty much knew that they could fight a war on their terms.
First and foremost they started with the air war, their opening move was to kill Iran's air defense network, then after that went down they took complete control of the skies over Iran who really didn't have much of an airforce compared to American air power.
Then once they had control over the skies, they basically stole a playbook from the Soviet Army doctrines guide and they basically zerg rushed the Iranian army and psychologically crushed them with brute force.
First and Foremost with North Korea that artillary belt is aimed at North Korea is massive its a prime definition of over fire, and its completely dug in and hardened so its unlikely that America would be able to prevent it from firing.
Also we're talking about a terrain difference as well. you're dealing less with a desert environment that actually supported armored warfare and your dealing with a lot of choke points, a lot of hills that are built for over watch and ambushes, a lot of swampy lands that would basically force your army onto the roads.
I'm not saying America wouldn't win, it would be a harder war then the Iranian one.
The North Korean Airforce is clearly no match for American Airpower.
They have about 30 mig 29's this is their premiere multi-role fighter, and it was a great fighter for its time with a lot of nifty features including a helmet based weapons firing system. However this is a airframe that hit its peak in the late 80's. Its no match for the F-35, the F-22, the Super Hornet and a bomber force lead by the B-2.
The NK air force also has a mix of Mig 21, Mig 23, J-5, J-7, J6, Su-25, SU-7 and IL-28's. These planes are all long obsolete 1960's and 1970's platforms. While it sounds impressive for North Korea to have between 4 and 5 hundred air craft, outside of the Mig-29's the rest of their airforce would die glorious deaths against a US Carrier Air Wing.
The North Koreans have about 4000 main battle tanks, but about half of those are really obsolete T-55's T-62s and Type 59's. I doubt that these tanks could do much damage to a M1A2 main battle tank at all, and most of these older tanks beyond having smaller main guns don't have advanced stabilized computer assisted aiming which means that they don't shoot well on the move. The most advanced tanks in the North Korean inventory are about 800 T-72's which in their day were really good tanks but again a poor counter to American Armor. The premiere North Korean tank is called the Chomna-ho which is a locally produced tank based around the design of a T-62 tank with a 115 mm smooth bore and reactive armor, and a decent fire control system, but I wouldn't bet against the American M1A1, plus the North Koreans would have to deal with a lot of American anti-armor air power and artillary like the JSOW. with North Korean airpower destroyed American air craft would probably tear apart North Korean armor in a few days.
The biggest threat from the North Koreans is in terms of their Special Operations Units, these guys are the lavishly trained and numbered units. Their job would be to infiltrate into the south and create terror, drop bridges, assassinations and generally drop troop moral. While The North Korean army itself is large, if America takes control of the air they're in for a tough fight, but if North Korean special ops heads into South Korea, that could be the nightmare.
Navy wise, they have about 6 of their new Sinpo class which is suspected of being a diesel electric missile boat capable of launching sea based ballistic missiles, its one of the larger Diesel boats ever built.
Their main offensive submarine weapon is based on the 1950's Romeo class diesel electric boat. They have a bunch of mini-subs designed to be used by special Forces groups to penetrate the South and to collect data on enemy naval formations.
They have maybe 2 to 5 frigates that are mainly designed for anti-submarine duty,
They have a bunch of small missile boats and torpedo boats, but the suitability and ability to fire off their weapons is doubtfull against a US Naval carrier centered battlegroup.
I doubt that this war would go as fast as people think nor that these soldiers will surrender like the Iraqi soldiers did, I expect there would be a lot of American Casualties due to the determination of the North Koreans to make Americans bleed for every inch of the land they take. I also believe that like the last Korean War is the American's get too rowdy the Chinese will step in to protect their interests.
