Before we begin, I'll give my ranking.
1. USN
2. JSDF
3. PLAN
4. ROKN
5. IN
This discussion of whether US is a pacific power? As a country, not an Asian power, to me, but America is a world power, and with the carriers she has in middle east, South Asia, and East Asia, who can really challenge her might. The answer is nobody, in case someone is confused.
The French presence in Asia is negligible and hence it is not on the list, if she positions 100% of her fleet than maybe, but then she better bring tow boats, cause that carrier is not going anywhere without one.
Russia Pacific fleet has been decimated, since the fall of the Soviets, not much has been improved, true she still has nuclear capabilities, but conventionally, not much has changed since the 90s, and Korea, Japan as well as the US all have 10,000 ton AEGIS capable DDGs, with Japan and Korea adding more.
India is strong, but not in the great power category for now. Dehli class is a relic now, come on, just look at it, it's like our type 71 and that was crap when it came out. At most it's about as good as the sovremenny class, and that's not great today.
India has one Kolkata, one, nuclear sub has the capability of carrying 4 long range missiles, yes 4, the smallest Nuke sub by far, and it's not in commission yet, the submarine force in general is well discussed here.
In terms of Subs
1. US, too many SSNs, damn.
2a.Japan, many decommissioned subs that can be called into action if it calls for it and very advanced tech
2b.China, advance submarine tech, and massive numbers, but still needs work to match US and Japan in tech
2c. Russia, still a force to be dealt with here.
3.Korea, Korea, makes its own subs
4.India, here by default, cause the other powers suck here in Asia.
Advanced Frigates, India has 9, and advance corvette, India has 1.
On the other side of the fence, Korea has 3 10,000 ton DDGs, 9 more modern DDGs, making a total of 12, Japan has some 20+ Modern DDGs, with 6 in the 10,000 ton range. Corvettes, Frigates, they both have a good number, giving India no advantage, while a clear advantage in DDGs.
While China has 12 modern DDGs at present, and 20+ each of the 056 and 054.
So here I would put
1. USN (60+ DDGs + 20+ Cruisers, however you slice it, it's a beast.)
2. Japan, obvious advantage, 20 something modern destroyers, with the Chinese 055 not to be in action for at least 3 years, the obvious choice, for now...
3. China
4. Korea
5. India, gave reasons above.
Amphibious assault, China has 3 071, and 3 under construction, to go with Zubar class landing craft, and hundreds of amphibious tanks, Japan has the Helicopter carriers, and so do Korea, while India has maybe one that can't be used unless Pentagon gives it the ok and even then it's a out dated ship.
So for this
1. Japan, due to Heli carriers, and the massive number of them, practicing with US also helps.
2. China, 071, better than even Japan's non helicopter carrier variant.
3a. ROKN
3b. IN, not a big difference between the two, so not going to rank India below it.
US is number one as always.
Carrier operations and air wing.
USN, undisputed number 1, India has the advantage here, with a rich history, experience, and a competent air wing, but it's draw back is the Mig 29, with its small load, and limited size, it's not the beast that the F-18 is, but since no other navy operates any carrier capable fighter yet, so by default it is India.
China's J-15 is a better fighter being that it's bigger, but the carrier limits it's capabilities, and it's not combat ready anyways, Japan and Korea has no current fighters, so....
1. USN
2. IN
The rest, no rank, doesn't have anything here, unless you count Japanese and Korean helicopter carriers, then them 3a and b.
Not going to go any further, this ranking is useless for now because the Chinese, Indian, Korea and Japanese navies are not complete, we lack air power, and bigger ships, India lacks numbers, bigger ships, and submarines, while Japan and Korea lacks air power as well.
So none of us can really operate far from home and be effective. Only the US navy can.
