2 weeks Ago
Terror returned to Kashmir with deadly force on Tuesday, as terrorists unleashed a brutal attack near the scenic town of Pahalgam, targeting a popular tourist hotspot. The assault left 26 people dead, most of them visiting from other states, shattering the fragile sense of normalcy in the Valley. This mass killing is now being described as the most devastating terror incident in Jammu and Kashmir since the Pulwama attack in 2019, which claimed the lives of 40 paramilitary personnel.
The tragic event has sparked widespread condemnation and renewed fears of escalating tension between India and Pakistan. As speculation swirled online, social media platform X was flooded with images from Flightradar24, allegedly tracking the movement of Pakistan Air Force jets from Karachi’s Southern Air Command to northern airbases near Lahore and Rawalpindi—close to the Indian border. Rawalpindi is notably home to the PAF’s strategic Nur Khan airbase.
Pakistan, however, has categorically denied involvement. “Pakistan has no link with the Pahalgam terror attack,” stated Defence Minister Khawaja Asif. Still, the timing and regional sensitivities have prompted serious concerns over potential retaliation and renewed border conflict.
In such a charged atmosphere, the question many are asking is: how long could Pakistan’s army stand against India in the event of a full-scale war? Drawing on the latest data from the Global Firepower Index, this article takes a closer look at the comparative military strength of the two nuclear-armed neighbours and what it could mean if diplomatic efforts give way to open conflict. Population And Economic Power India, with a population exceeding 1.4 billion, is the second-most populated country in the world.
Pakistan, while significantly smaller, is still the fifth most populated, with around 240 million people. When it comes to military manpower, this demographic advantage gives India a significant edge. India has over 65 million people available for military service, while Pakistan has more than 10 million.
The presence of a large, young population eligible for service gives India strategic depth in times of war. Economically, the gap widens even further. In the 2023-24 Union Budget, India allocated 5.
94 trillion rupees (approximately USD 73.8 billion) to defence, 13 per cent of its total budget. Pakistan, in contrast, has a significantly smaller defence budget of USD 6.
34 billion. This discrepancy reflects India’s broader economic capacity to sustain long-term military operations and modernise its armed forces. Active Military Personnel According to the Global Firepower Index, India’s military boasts approximately 1.
44 million active-duty personnel, making it the second-largest standing army in the world. Additionally, it has 1.15 million reservists and over 2.
5 million paramilitary forces, taking the total defence strength to well over 5 million when combined. Pakistan’s army, while professional and battle-tested, comprises around 650,000 active-duty personnel. It also maintains a strong reserve force and paramilitary units, but the total combined strength still falls short compared to India’s massive manpower pool.
Army Ground Capabilities India’s Army is equipped with a modern and increasingly indigenous arsenal. Some of the prominent systems include: - Arjun Main Battle Tanks - T-90 “Bhim” Tanks - Pinaka Multi-Barrel Rocket Launchers - BrahMos Cruise Missiles - Howitzers and advanced artillery systems India’s investment in modernisation has also given its ground forces superior command and control infrastructure, battlefield mobility, and logistics support. Pakistan’s army is known for its toughness and has historically been quick to mobilise.
It uses Al-Khalid tanks and other Chinese and Western-supplied military equipment. However, in terms of scale and technological edge, it struggles to match India’s resources. Air Force: Dominant Sky Presence India’s Air Force (IAF) is one of the largest and most capable in the world.
It fields: - 2,229 total aircraft - 600 fighter jets - 831 support aircraft - 899 helicopters The IAF’s fighter fleet includes high-end aircraft like the Rafale , Mirage 2000 , MiG-29 , and Sukhoi Su-30MKI . India has also made significant progress in indigenously developing aircraft like the HAL Tejas. Missile systems further strengthen India’s air dominance.
The BrahMos , Rudram , Astra , Akash , and Nirbhay missiles offer a range of offensive and defensive capabilities. Pakistan’s Air Force is smaller but potent, with aircraft like the JF-17 Thunder (jointly developed with China), F-16 Fighting Falcons , and Mirage III/V . While agile and experienced, Pakistan’s air fleet is numerically inferior and less technologically sophisticated than India’s.
Naval Power: Blue Water vs Green Water India’s Navy is not just a regional power but a rising blue-water force, capable of operating across the globe, especially in the Indian Ocean Region (IOR). Key stats include: - Total ships : Over 130, including aircraft carriers, destroyers, and submarines - Personnel: Around 67,000 - Aircraft carriers: 2 (INS Vikramaditya and INS Vikrant) - Submarines: 18, including nuclear-powered ones India’s two aircraft carriers enable force projection far beyond its borders, and its nuclear submarines serve as a credible second-strike capability. Pakistan’s Navy, while highly competent and focused on defending its coastline, has a smaller, green-water strategy geared for regional operations.
Key assets include: - Total ships : Around 75, including 13 submarines - Personnel: Around 25,000 - Submarines: Includes Hangor-class and Agosta 90B types - Aircraft carriers: None Pakistan’s Navy lacks the ability to project power beyond the Arabian Sea and relies heavily on submarines for deterrence. Technological and Strategic Advantage Beyond numbers, India holds a key advantage in defence manufacturing and technology. The country has invested heavily in indigenous development through organisations like DRDO (Defence Research and Development Organisation) and HAL (Hindustan Aeronautics Limited).
It is also a leading importer of arms, further boosting its military capabilities. India’s strategic partnerships with countries like the United States, France, Russia, and Israel provide access to cutting-edge defence technology, training, and intelligence sharing. Pakistan relies more on Chinese support, both in terms of arms and diplomatic backing.
How Long Could Pakistan Hold Out? In the event of a full-scale conventional war, experts widely agree that Pakistan would be at a disadvantage. While its armed forces are professional and capable of delivering significant damage, especially in the early days of a conflict, sustaining a prolonged war effort against India’s overwhelming manpower, resources, and strategic depth would be extremely difficult. India’s superior logistics, air and naval power, and larger economy provide a decisive edge.
Analysts believe that while Pakistan could mount a defence for a short duration, it would struggle to maintain operations beyond a few weeks without international intervention or escalation to a nuclear scenarioan outcome both nations would likely seek to avoid..
