NEW DELHI: The brutal terror attack in Jammu and Kashmir's Pahalgam, which killed 26 civilians, has sharply escalated tensions between India and Pakistan, reigniting fears of military confrontation between the two nuclear-armed neighbours.
Since the April 22 attack on the popular tourist destination, India has taken several retaliatory measures including suspending the Indus Waters Treaty, closing the Attari border post, revoking visas for Pakistani nationals, and capping diplomatic staff in Pakistan missions.
Pakistan, in turn, has announced its own retaliatory diplomatic and military postures, including pausing the Simla Agreement, launching missile tests along its coastline and closure of trade and visa facilities with India.
The Pahalgam terror attack has exacerbated an already volatile relationship, with both countries adopting hardline stances and engaging in military posturing.
The risk of escalation remains high, particularly given the history of four wars and ongoing disputes over Kashmir.
Both militaries are on high alert, and any miscalculation could lead to wider conflict.
Understanding the military capabilities of both nations is crucial for assessing the potential trajectory of this crisis and the broader security dynamics of South Asia.
Personnel and forces
India is ranked as the fourth most powerful military globally according to the 2025 Global Firepower Index, while Pakistan is ranked 12.
India maintains a significantly larger active military force, with approximately 1.46 million active personnel and an additional 1.15 million in reserve.
Pakistan's active military personnel number around 654,000, with paramilitary forces numbering about 500,000 compared to India's 2.5 million paramilitary personnel.
Defence budgets
India's defence budget for 2025-26 is approximately $79 billion (Rs 6.8 lakh crore), reflecting a 9.5% increase over the previous year.
Pakistan’s defence budget is substantially smaller, around $7.6 billion.
This budget disparity translates into greater procurement, modernisation, and maintenance capabilities for India.
Armored and mechanised forces
India fields about 4,201 tanks, including advanced models like the T-90 Bhishma and the indigenous Arjun tanks.
Pakistan has approximately 2,627 tanks, a smaller armored fleet in comparison .
Moreover, India possesses over 148,000 armored vehicles, roughly three times the number held by Pakistan, indicating superior mechanised mobility and firepower on the ground.
Missile and nuclear capabilities
Both nations possess nuclear weapons and ballistic missile programs, which act as strategic deterrents.
India has developed and deployed the Agni-V missile with a range exceeding 5,200 km and is working on the Agni-VI to counter threats from China and Pakistan.
Pakistan’s longest-range missile, the Shaheen-III, has a range of about 2,750 km, but it is actively pursuing longer-range ballistic missile technology with potential ranges beyond 3,000 km, reportedly with assistance from China and Belarus.
Air and naval power
India’s air force is considered one of the most powerful in Asia, equipped with a mix of modern fighter jets including the Rafale, Su-30MKI, and indigenous Tejas fighters.
Pakistan’s air force, though smaller, fields capable aircraft such as the JF-17 Thunder and F-16 fighters.
India’s navy is also larger and more technologically advanced, with an aircraft carrier, nuclear submarines, and a range of surface combatants, while Pakistan’s navy is smaller but maintains a focus on coastal defense and submarine capabilities.
Advantage India
The Pahalgam attack has led to a hardening of military and diplomatic postures on both sides.
Declaring a war on terror, Prime Minister Narendra Modi has vowed to hunt to the "ends of the earth" the perpetrators who planned and carried out the Pahalgma terror attack.
Defence minister Rajnath Singh has also promised a "loud and clear" response, signaling possible military action.
Within 48 hours of the attack, the Indian Navy carried out missile tests in the Arabian Sea while the Indian Air Force held a huge military exercise dubbed 'Aakraman'.
The military balance between India and Pakistan remains heavily tilted in India's favor in terms of personnel, budget, technology, and conventional forces. India’s larger and more modern military, combined with its advanced missile and nuclear capabilities, provides it with significant strategic depth.
Pakistan, while smaller, continues to pursue missile advancements and maintains a potent nuclear deterrent.
Since the April 22 attack on the popular tourist destination, India has taken several retaliatory measures including suspending the Indus Waters Treaty, closing the Attari border post, revoking visas for Pakistani nationals, and capping diplomatic staff in Pakistan missions.
Pakistan, in turn, has announced its own retaliatory diplomatic and military postures, including pausing the Simla Agreement, launching missile tests along its coastline and closure of trade and visa facilities with India.
The Pahalgam terror attack has exacerbated an already volatile relationship, with both countries adopting hardline stances and engaging in military posturing.
The risk of escalation remains high, particularly given the history of four wars and ongoing disputes over Kashmir.
Both militaries are on high alert, and any miscalculation could lead to wider conflict.
Understanding the military capabilities of both nations is crucial for assessing the potential trajectory of this crisis and the broader security dynamics of South Asia.
Personnel and forces
India is ranked as the fourth most powerful military globally according to the 2025 Global Firepower Index, while Pakistan is ranked 12.
India maintains a significantly larger active military force, with approximately 1.46 million active personnel and an additional 1.15 million in reserve.
Pakistan's active military personnel number around 654,000, with paramilitary forces numbering about 500,000 compared to India's 2.5 million paramilitary personnel.
Defence budgets
India's defence budget for 2025-26 is approximately $79 billion (Rs 6.8 lakh crore), reflecting a 9.5% increase over the previous year.
Pakistan’s defence budget is substantially smaller, around $7.6 billion.
This budget disparity translates into greater procurement, modernisation, and maintenance capabilities for India.
Armored and mechanised forces
India fields about 4,201 tanks, including advanced models like the T-90 Bhishma and the indigenous Arjun tanks.
Pakistan has approximately 2,627 tanks, a smaller armored fleet in comparison .
Moreover, India possesses over 148,000 armored vehicles, roughly three times the number held by Pakistan, indicating superior mechanised mobility and firepower on the ground.
Missile and nuclear capabilities
Both nations possess nuclear weapons and ballistic missile programs, which act as strategic deterrents.
India has developed and deployed the Agni-V missile with a range exceeding 5,200 km and is working on the Agni-VI to counter threats from China and Pakistan.
Pakistan’s longest-range missile, the Shaheen-III, has a range of about 2,750 km, but it is actively pursuing longer-range ballistic missile technology with potential ranges beyond 3,000 km, reportedly with assistance from China and Belarus.
Air and naval power
India’s air force is considered one of the most powerful in Asia, equipped with a mix of modern fighter jets including the Rafale, Su-30MKI, and indigenous Tejas fighters.
Pakistan’s air force, though smaller, fields capable aircraft such as the JF-17 Thunder and F-16 fighters.
India’s navy is also larger and more technologically advanced, with an aircraft carrier, nuclear submarines, and a range of surface combatants, while Pakistan’s navy is smaller but maintains a focus on coastal defense and submarine capabilities.
Advantage India
The Pahalgam attack has led to a hardening of military and diplomatic postures on both sides.
Declaring a war on terror, Prime Minister Narendra Modi has vowed to hunt to the "ends of the earth" the perpetrators who planned and carried out the Pahalgma terror attack.
Defence minister Rajnath Singh has also promised a "loud and clear" response, signaling possible military action.
Within 48 hours of the attack, the Indian Navy carried out missile tests in the Arabian Sea while the Indian Air Force held a huge military exercise dubbed 'Aakraman'.
The military balance between India and Pakistan remains heavily tilted in India's favor in terms of personnel, budget, technology, and conventional forces. India’s larger and more modern military, combined with its advanced missile and nuclear capabilities, provides it with significant strategic depth.
Pakistan, while smaller, continues to pursue missile advancements and maintains a potent nuclear deterrent.
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