NK Sinks SK Ship; Says Retaliation = War

[mrstickball]

Light reading on ORBATs for US, ROK and DPRK forces in the area.

United States forces in South Korea

Notable assets:

• 3 squadrons of F-16 Falcons (24 aircraft each)
• 1 squadron of A-10 ground attack craft (20 aircraft)
• 36 M270 MLRS Systems (2 batallions)
• 17,000 infantry + mechanized armor in 2nd infantry divison

United States forces in Japan

Notable assets:

• 2 squadrons of F-15 Eagles (24 aircraft each)
• 2 squadrons of F-16 Falcons (18 aircraft each)
• 1 squadron of F-22 Raptors (12 aircraft)
• 1 squadron of F-18 Hornets (18 aircraft)
• CVN-63 George Washinton CTG
  
  • 4 squadrons of F-18 hornets (12 aircraft each)

Republic of Korea, Army

• 522,500 troops
• 1,500 M1A1 Abrams Tanks (built indegenously as K1-88 by Hundayi)
• NKW Assault Rifle - Bullpup 5.56m with a 6-round 20mm grenade launcher. First in the world to issue it in May 2010. 
• 68 AH-1F Cobra attack helicopters

Republic of Korea, Air Force

• 39 F-15 Eagles
• 169 F-16 Falcons
• 129 F-4 Phantoms
• 174 F-5 Tigers

North Korean (DPRK) Army:

• >1,000,000 troops
• 4,500 tanks
  • All but 100 are T-62 or older
• 1,200 APCs

North Korean (DPRK) Air Force:

• 80 Harbin H-5 Heavy Bombers
• 270 Mig-19 Farmers (or lower) copies
• 260 MIg-21 Fishbeds (or clones)
• 45 Mig-23 
• 40 Mig-29 Fulcrums
• 40 SU-25 Attack Aircraft
• 24 Mi-24 Attack Helicopters

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As you can see, the DPRK has a lot of numbers, but their equipment is ancient. They have 40 modern fighters, and 40 modern strike aircraft.