As we all know India and Pakistan have an arch-rival relationship on almost all domains and military approach is one topic both countries tries to indulge in as much as possible. So let’s see how Indian Military and Pakistan Military compare against each other.
Army
Indian Army has a staggering 1.2 million active duty military personnel compared to Pakistan’s 654,000 while the reserve duty too favours India with 960,000 against Pakistan’s 650,000. Indian Army is the world’s largest standing volunteer army – a system which maintains the military numbers without any compulsory conscription. In terms of the number of tanks, its India’s 4614 against Pak’s 3742 (approx). Pakistan’s tank fleet is still majorly comprised of the Chinese 1st Generation Type-55, Type-59, Type-69 and the 2nd-Generation Chinese Type-85 and Al-Zarrar – each with more than 350 units. But the technology and destructive capability don’t even remotely compare with India’s 3rd generation Arjun and T-90S tanks. The 2410 Russia-India co-developed T-72s are in the constant phase of being upgraded. And the 3rd-gen tanks excel in their fire-control systems, main guns, thermal sight capability and composite armour against our neighbours.
Pak is currently ahead of India in terms of infantry fighting vehicles both in terms of numbers and firepower. While India is still holding on to the 2500 BMP-2s, Pakistan has a greater variety in this class. Our neighbour is holding on to 2500+ US M113 IFVs and 1000 Saudi Arabia-made Al-Fahd. They also have the Mine Resisted Ambush Protected (MRAP) M1224 MaxxPro which has quality and reliability equivalent to the US Humvees.
In terms of weapons used, assumption of who has better advantage in terms of quality and accuracy would be a far-fetched idea but still let us dive into it. In terms of pistol calibre, Berettas and Glocks are common ones used by both sides and nobody can deny these handguns’ legacy. Pak special forces also use the excellent Sig Sauer P226/9 series and for SMGs, they use the legendary HK MP5 and FN P90. India on the other hand has a varied approach in SMGs from the spec-ops’ MP5 and Uzi/Micro Uzi to the Swiss excellence in the form of MP9 while also taking the indigenous path of replacing the older SAF carbines with the home-grown ARDE MSMC.
Pakistan is literally suffering from its arsenal of active duty rifles. Majority of their forces still use the grandpa-generation bulky HK G3s – an iconic proven German platform but not for today’s age, and the Chinese Type-56 AK-47 clones. Even the majority of the Special Service Group special force of Pakistan also fields the quite old Sig SG550. Just a few units of the SSG are deployed with customized M4s and Steyr AUG although both of which are present in few very numbers. Pakistan has been trialling the CZ Bren for the 5.45 and the FN-SCAR H, Italian Beretta-ARX and AK-103 for the 7.62 cartridges to replace their G3s. But till now it’s zero development in the final decisions.
India has a distinct advantage in terms of variety, relative modernization and quality while also keeping in fact that the greater number of Indian forces wielding the greater number of rifles than our neighbour would absolutely overpower them. Our homegrown INSAS still takes a proud spot as one of the primary standard issue rifles of the Indian Army. Apart from a few handling issues, it is a pretty decent rifle and distinctly better than the below-maintained and aged Pak Type 56 rifles. These INSASs are also in the phase of being replaced with the AK-203 and the German-American masterclass of SIG 716I. 716Is are coming with both standard length and DMR-capable barrels along with Trijicon ACOGs and rails systems. The iconic AK-47 and AKMs are also used as the other primary standard issue rifles of the Indian Army all of which are in the upgradation phase of being installed with Picatinny rails, medium range/thermal optics and muzzle options, by India’s own SSS Defense. And then we have our special forces including the Garud ruling with the Tavor TAR-21s while the MARCOS mastering with the M4A1s along with a smaller batch of FN SCAR Ls and Hs.
Honestly Pak has some good sniper rifles in their inventory especially the Accuracy International Arctic Warfare rifle for 308. Winchester and .338 Lapua Magnum, and the Barrett M82 50-cals. But is Pakistan good in sniping? Who knows! We have better. From the 400m slickshots with the Dragunov and Galil snipers to the mile long windcutters with the Sako TRG-42s and Barrett M82 50-cals, Indian snipers have it all covered – A versatile canopy coupled with the best scopes and eyes.
Artillery
Pakistan’s deadliest artillery system are the 450+ Chinese A-100 300mm Multiple Launch Rocket System (MLRS) which has a range of 120km. These classes of Chinese MLRS, although with no concrete data, are still considered as dark horses of death bringers in long-range artillery warfare, according to defense analysts. Other than this, they mostly have the Chinese variant of the Soviet BM-21 Grads and the similar KRLs. Regarding self-propelled artillery, Pak also has 400+ units of 155mm M109 and 100+ units of aging M110s. And for towed artillery, once again there are the aging Chinese fleets of Type 59s, 86s and 54s with a modern touch of 155m Turkish Panters and US M198s.
India’s counter? Its raw firepower BABY! Once again India fields of modern mix of varied ranges of pain. India has 150+ actual BM-21 Grads and not some Chinese-grade copies; and YES they are upgraded with extended range variants! And then the indigenous Pinaka MLRS, considered one of the best systems in the world. We have 370+ 300mm Soviet Smerch 9K58, also one of the best MLRS in the 300mm category. In the self-propelled category, we have 100 devastating South Korean 155mm K9 Vajra and the indigenous 130mm/39 caliber Arjun. Towed artillery? It’s another story of vibrancy and variety as we have the British brilliance of BAE Systems M777, one of the deadliest in this category too (85+), Swedish FH77s (400+) and the indigenous Dhanush. With an inventory of 700+ T-55s as static artillery, then have been one of the fixed mainstay artillery platforms in the LOC. And the DRDO ATAGS is also in line of joining the forces after they spectacularly debut in a 21-gun salute on India’s 76th Republic Day celebrations.
But then again coming to the real fighting capabilities, it’s a whole another story. Indian Army has a longer and more storied history, and has had more opportunities for training and engagement in modern warfare. India’s ground personnel and weapon systems have the mix of perfection, accuracy, reliability and training to overpower our adversaries and looking into Pak’s names and numbers, India has a clear visual advantage.
Missile Systems
Pakistan is in the phase of modernizing its SAMs as much as possible and the addition of their Made-in-China LY-80, medium-range SAM is a proof of that. Pakistan has even deployed these SAMs in the outskirts of Lahore, less than 30km from the India-Pak border. But Pak’s actual potency in successfully deterring aerial threats from the surface is highly doubtful. The medium range FM-90 Bloodhound, PAF-2 and the short range HQ-7 and Anza-Ds are just not enough.
Meanwhile India possesses an entire mega-arsenal of SAMs. If it’s just a matter of few aerial miles, just leave it to the S-125 Pechora – the infamous short-range beast which needs no introduction but has been proving its mettle from the Vietnam War of 1960s to the 2022 Ukraine War. And Indian Air Force holds 25 squadrons of these beasts. Among other equally capable systems are the Soviet 9K33 Osa AK, Israel’s SPYDER with the Python and Derby missiles, BARAK 8 LRSAM. Indian accomplishments with the QRSAM and the Akash further decorate the deck. The Prithvi Air Defense (PAD) and the Advanced Air Defence (AAD) are two of the incredibly capable anti-ballistic missile platforms. And then comes the Russian S400 Triumf which itself is in a league of its own and has gotten itself among the global names such as Rafael David’s Sling & Iron Dome, Lockheed Martin THAAD and Raytheon MIM-104 Patriot PAC-2.
Nukes
A topic which comes as the last resort in a war and such is its confidentiality that no ordinary citizen can get the exact numbers of nukes for the different nuclear superpowers even if the internet is turned upside down. But across all media it is widely considered that Pakistan has 1-2 dozen more nukes than India. Even Wikipedia itself marks it that Pakistan has 165 warheads against India’s 160. But is it really a problem?
Indeed Pakistan have some capable nuclear-capable ICBMs (Pak’s nukes aren’t literally even Intercontinental). From the short range Ghaznavi and Shaheen-I to the longer Shaheen-II and Shaheen-III, Pakistan has a decent nuclear CV. But for every nuke Pak possesses, India holds the better alternative with each having better CEP accuracy and navigation systems. The insanely steep curve of the development from the Agni-I to the Agni-V – the truly designated intercontinental ballistic missile – IS NO JOKE. Pakistan has no trump card for the ultimate Agni-V which has a freaking maximum range of 8000km. India even stands tall with the Rafales as a brilliant tactical nuke deployer while the waters are guarded by the 6000 tonne nuclear-capable ballistic missile submarine INS Arihant.
Air Force
According to the Global Air Powers 2022 Ranking, Indian Air Force has been ranked 6th while Pakistan Air Force sits at a distant 18th place. And that’s a more than apt place for our neighbour. A big part of the fighter fleet are still comprised of the aging Mirage III and Mirage 5s. And the more recent acquisitions of Chinese JF-17s and J-10s are yet to be considered as impact-worthy buyout. Considering unbiased analysis of their potency, these Chinese jets aren’t bad but are rather efficient considering their price. But the concern lies in the fact that China itself disregards western standards and capabilities and sells their J10s as 4.5 gen fighter jets. Are they really that good? Maybe time will tell or maybe they will remain unanswered unless China deploys them in a full blown invasion against Taiwan. But till now, they have zero credibility in battle specs. Pakistan Air Force’s best aircrafts are the old-gen Block 15 C/D General Dynamics F16 Fighting Falcons (F16s are the most exported and arguably one of the very best multirole fighter jets in the world). Being a very old lot, Pakistan received $450 million fleet-sustainment aid package from USA where the 75 F16s will be upgraded with better technical specifications. India maintained an absence of response in this unexpected American move of providing upgrades to their ‘best’ aircrafts but still it isn’t even a slightest issue of concern when their Block 15s are getting absolutely slam dunked by India’s 3rd gen Mig-21 Bisons. What a joke!
Relevant to the consistent history of crashes, India has grounded all the squadrons of Mig 21 ‘Bisons’ but this 3rd-generation ‘grounded’ aircraft has made its mark in the history of Indian Air Force. Among the older names are the SEPECAT Jaguars and Mirage 2000s which are still very capable of bombers aircrafts, a dozen of which were in the Balakot strikes armed with Israeli Spice 2000 bombs. IAF is still carrying on the significantly capable Mig-29 UPGs all 69 of which are also undergoing the phase of the $900 million upgrade contract. IAF’s backbone? Its none other than the Sukhoi Su-30 MKIs – the 272 strong force, thrust vectoring-capable slick beasts paired with the 36 multirole-nuclear deterrent Dassault Rafales. On top of which India is proving its mettle as we have entered the fighter jet industry with HAL Tejas Mk1 while the Tejas Mk2 and the 5th gen HAL AMCA are on the way in their baby steps. While Pakistan is devoid of any such developments, India is running ahead with its modernized quality despite having the number of fleet issues when compared to the other big superpowers.
Now then let’s slow down the Mach numbers and fix some propellers. Does Pakistan have attack helicopters? Nah. They are even struggling with their numbers of utility helicopters as the whole is comprised of only Mil Mi-17s and few Agusta Westland AW139s. India on the other side shows off the Apache AH-64 (22), the deadliest attack helicopter of the world, Mil Mi-24/35 ‘Hind’ (15) – the largest heli-gunship till date along with the increasing numbers of the India’s first indigenous attack helo – the HAL LCH (Light Combat Helicopter). Even the 100+ HAL Rudra and 250 Mil Mi-17s have both the utility and attack variants. Also we mustn’t forget the proven US CH-47 Chinooks Indian Air Force have!
Navy
Although trying hard to frame it in a more respectful way, any sane person would know that India is scores of laps ahead of Pakistan just by blindly judging the systems both the nations have. Indian Navy is a damn dangerous armed force division! It has rightfully deserved the ‘Blue Water Navy‘ tag – a maritime force capable of operating globally across all oceans. Apart from USA and China, we are only the 3rd country to have 1+ aircraft carriers and INS Vikramaditya and INS Vikrant will always continue to get never-ending recognition. Pakistan? As you can guess it’s a 0. How many destroyers does India have? – 11 damn deadly stealth/non-stealth guided missile destroyers along with 12 stealth guided frigates and 18 active corvettes – all armed to the teeth. But Pakistan? Once again a convincing ZERO. Just 6 corvettes, 9 frigates and 0 destroyers – there is no way Pakistan won’t be tasting the salt of their own seas. Pak even loses underwater as their 5 diesel attack subs are totally overpowered by India’s 15 diesel attack submarines and the 1 nuclear-powered INS Arihant – the proud underwater king of Indian seas.
Pakistan doesn’t even have much coastline while India as the 7th largest continent totally consists of 3/4 of its length by the waters. Since our neighbour has no aircraft carriers, that means the country will have zero chance of rapid mobilization of jets in terms of extreme situations from high seas. While Indian aircraft carriers carry and train the Mig-29Ks jets and MH-60 ‘Romeo’ Seahawk helos for all time emergency. And what more to have wrap up the entire verticals when we also keep the eyes on prize from the notorious ‘submarine killer’ Boeing P8I Poseidon.
Cyber-Warfare
With more than 1000 experienced employees from all the three armed force divisions, India’s Cyber Command/DCA at Delhi is an excellent step to forecast the impact of cyber warfare capabilities especially its influence on India. Indian cyber threat is no more a myth. With its commercial and military cyber capability, it can effectively engage wide range of civil and military targets simultaneously. Also the National Cyber Security Policy provides a foundation for the development of cyber capabilities and strategies to protect critical infrastructure.
This entire topic is itself an underground domain as no country publicly reveals their advantages or disadvantages in such fields but India still lies ahead of Pak. It was only 2022 that Pakistan established their National Response Centre for Cyber Crime under Federal Investigation Agency and also acknowledged its heavy reliance on imported hardware, software and services from China. They still not have an established National Computer Emergency Response Team in case of unexpected network outage or sabotage events.
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Defense Budget
India has been featuring an increasing graph in its defense budget currently standing at Rs. 593,538 crore (Rs. 5.5 trillion) (for 2023-2024 fiscal year) and is the fourth highest in the world behind USA, China and Russia, with the maximum expenditure for Indian Army followed by the Indian Air Force and the Navy. While Pakistan unveiled their budget at Rs. 1.8 trillion (for 2023-2024 fiscal year) with a 15.7% increase over their previous year expenditure.
International Cooperation
India gets huge international respect and respectfully deserves all the limelight Indian Armed Forces achieve in the numerous bilateral/multilateral military exercises that we take part in. Our Armed Forces indulge in regular drills and exercises with many countries including other big powers like USA, UK, France, Japan, Russia, Germany, Italy, Egypt, Australia etc. Even in bigshot events such as the RIMPAC (Rim of the Pacific Exercise), we get yearly spotlights.
On the other hand Pakistan Armed Forces doesn’t get as much as much status in military drills as India. Although they have their domestic drills, Pak isn’t even invited in most other Western drills. Apart from a few recurring countries like China and Russia, Pak hardly gets to taste the military preparedness and levels of strength of the American and European counterparts. Even Pakistan Army has cancelled all military drills and war exercises until 2023’s end due to their starving condition on the lack of military equipment fuel while the economic turmoil is also being speculated in the issue.
Indian Navy MARCOS operators during RIMPAC 22 (above), P8I Poseidon (below) deployed in the RIMPAC 2022 along with INS Satpura (RIMPAC – biennially conducted largest maritime warfare exercise
Public Issues of Pakistan Military
Public opinion of the Pakistan military is very complex. In the early years of Pakistan’s independence, the military was seen as a symbol of national pride and unity but their reputation is getting tarnished due to their engagement and interference in domestic politics. In Pakistan, the military has always been and still is the de facto arbiter of politics, regardless of who is in charge of the government in Islamabad. The Pakistan Army (Amendment) Bill 2023 criminalizes criticism of the armed forces, grants full legal standing to the military’s expansive commercial empire, and allows the military to “carry out activities related to national development and advancement of national or strategic interests.” which most of the time actually hinders development – According to a Professor of Politics at Lahore University of Management Sciences. A mixture of corruption, mishandling of public and judicial matters, negligence in governance and turning sideways from actual military development – all of these have led to increasing hate and rightly so towards Pak military from their own citizens.
Pakistan Armed Forces has deep roots in their own – a majority of which are responsible themselves due to the activities they get involved in. They control the state through the backdoor and are a part of a working deep state. Many personnel even work-in-hand with the nation’s biggest businessmen and organizations and some have big corruption cases against them.
The Establishment – the deep state cooperative federation of the Pak armed forces, intelligence divisions and some other government units, which have been responsible for organizing many military coups and even entering trivial domestic political issues. It also includes key decision makers in their military and also have been following the policies of aggressive Islamization – a method which was prevalent during the military dictatorship during the periods of General Muhammad Zia-ul-Haq (1976-88), the sixth Prez of Pakistan. The Establishment is also responsible for the ongoing forced disappearance in Pakistan, a form of kidnapping, torturing and extrajudicial killing its own citizens without any judicial due process.
According to the Sustainable Development Policy Institute, since the 1970s Pakistan’s school textbooks have systematically inculcated hatred towards India and Hindus through historical revisionism.
The U.S. Country Reports on Terrorism describes Pakistan as a “Terrorist safe haven” where terrorists are able to organise, plan, raise funds, communicate, recruit, train, transit, and operate in relative security because of inadequate governance capacity, political will, or both. Western media and the US Defence Secretary have referred to Pakistan’s tribal territory near the border with Afghanistan as a safe space for terrorists. And no wonder to those! Controlling cross border violations in India-Pak border has been a complimentary breakfast for our Indian soldiers’ daily menu.
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How India fares it?
India has a stellar history of winning wars and conflicts and Pakistan’s taste buds have indeed consumed part of those. From a totally foreign perspective, there may indeed come a confusion. Just look at the size of Russia and their military arsenal and they are yet to successfully break down Ukraine which holds negligible percentage in terms of both equipment, arsenal and area size. Similarly this is a visual representation of that same case too. India, 7th largest country in the world, in a possible all-out war against our much smaller neighbour, which also happens to have the support of our most concerning enemy – China. How will it be managed?
Firstly, China’s indulgence will most likely be zero as even China knows that once they interfere, India’s huge international presence and support would not let China go easy and would be the birthplace of an all-out WW3. So Pakistan will still be alone. India has control of the ground with their much better trainings, equipment, variety of weapon systems and the perfect mixture of international and intelligence quality and quantity. The same is applicable for our Navy and Air Force. From the snipers guarding the high grounds in Himalayan borders to the aircraft carriers and destroyers barricading the short beaches of the southern waters while the hordes of ICBMs just a couple of minutes away from a red button’s press, Pakistan would be in a dire situation if asset of them gets the first blood. And speaking realistically, Pakistan is already drowning in their internal rifts and economic struggles, so there’s no way in the right mind of a high-ranking official sitting in Pak’s chair to even comment about winning a battle as such.
