India and Pakistan are rapidly emerging as global powerhouses. India is expected to become a major economic force by 2030, while Pakistan is projected to rank among the largest economies by 2050. Both countries owe their rise to their massive populations and vast land size. However, they have long-standing tensions due to political, territorial, and military disputes, most notably over the Kashmir region. These tensions have fueled an arms race and sparked conflicts in the past. But today, the landscape has shifted. India has not only grown into one of the world’s largest economies but also developed a military that ranks among the strongest globally. The question now is: can Pakistan still match India’s combat capabilities, or has it fallen behind? To find out, let’s compare their military strength.
First, let’s look at their defense budgets and military sizes. India’s defense budget is $74 billion, according to GlobalFirePower, making it the fourth-largest defense spender globally, behind the U.S., China, and Russia. In comparison, Pakistan’s defense budget stands at only $6.3 billion. India also leads in manpower with 5.1 million military personnel, including 1.4 million active, 1.1 million reserves, and 2.5 million paramilitary. Pakistan, on the other hand, has 1.7 million total personnel.
These figures suggest that India is far ahead, but military strength isn’t just about numbers; equipment plays a vital role too. If Pakistan has superior tanks, fighter jets, naval assets, or nuclear capabilities, it could challenge India’s dominance. Let’s dive into their military hardware for a closer look.
Starting with ground forces, Pakistan has over 3,742 tanks compared to India’s 4,614. While the tank numbers are close, India deploys over 150,000 vehicles, while Pakistan has around 50,000. In artillery, Pakistan holds an advantage with 752 self-propelled artillery units, 3,258 towed artillery, and 602 rocket artillery, while India has only 140 self-propelled artillery, 3,243 towed artillery, and 702 rocket artillery. Pakistan has clearly invested heavily in artillery, but the question remains: how advanced are these systems?
India’s most notable tanks include the Arjun Main Battle Tank (MBT) and the Russian-made T-90. While the Arjun MBT faced delays and technical challenges, the T-90 has become an integral part of India’s ground forces. In 2001, India purchased 310 T-90S tanks from Russia, which come equipped with modern jamming systems, laser warning receivers, and a 125mm smoothbore gun.
Pakistan’s Haider MBT, derived from China’s VT4, is a formidable tank as well. Developed by NORINCO, the VT4 is a third-generation MBT with a 125mm smoothbore gun and advanced armor systems, including Explosive Reactive Armor (ERA).
Turning to artillery, India boasts the Pinaka Multi-Barrel Rocket Launcher (MBRL), capable of firing 12 rockets in 40 seconds, covering a 700m x 500m area. Pakistan’s Fatah-II, on the other hand, is a guided rocket system with a range of 400 kilometers and a payload capacity of 365 kilograms.
Next, let’s compare their air forces. India has over 2,296 aircraft, including 606 fighters and 869 helicopters. Pakistan has 1,434 aircraft, with 387 fighters and 352 helicopters. India’s air force is equipped with advanced French Dassault Rafale and Russian Sukhoi Su-30MKI jets, while Pakistan relies on Chinese J-10C Vigorous Dragon and the JF-17 Thunder, as well as older U.S. F-16 Fighting Falcons.
The Dassault Rafale, with a range of 3,700 kilometers and advanced MICA and Meteor missiles, surpasses Pakistan’s J-10C in many areas, such as range and endurance. However, the J-10C’s top speed of Mach 2.2 exceeds the Rafale’s Mach 1.8.
Now, let’s look at their naval forces. India’s navy, with 294 assets including two aircraft carriers, 12 destroyers, and 18 submarines, is far more formidable than Pakistan’s 114 naval assets, which include two destroyers and eight submarines. India’s Arihant-class nuclear-powered submarine, weighing 6,000 tons and equipped with cutting-edge technology, highlights its naval superiority. In contrast, Pakistan’s Agosta 90B-class submarines, though capable, are much smaller and less advanced.
In conclusion, while India’s military strength significantly outpaces Pakistan’s in terms of budget, personnel, and equipment, Pakistan has made notable investments to remain competitive. Despite its smaller size and economy, Pakistan continues to maintain a capable military force.