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In the wake of Indian armed forces’ precision strike, Operation Sindoor, following recent terror attack in Pahalgam, which has drawn global attention to regional instability, the spotlight has returned to longstanding face-off between India and Pakistan.
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Debates are underway on the military might of the two neighbouring countries.
The sky shield showdown
India possesses S-400 (air defence system) having a target range of 400 kilometres with a maximum speed of Mach 14, Barak (8/ER) having a target range of 150 kilometres with a maximum speed of Mach 3.
Similarly, Spyder has target range of 80 kilometres and maximum speed of Mach 4, SRSAM has target range of 80 kilometres and maximum speed of Mach 4, Akash (Mk1/NG) has target range of 30 kilometres and maximum speed of Mach 2.5, QRSAM has target range of 30 kilometres and maximum speed of Mach 4.7, respectively.
On the contrary, Pakistan possess HQ-16/LY-80 having a target range of 160 kilometres and maximum speed of Mach 3, NASAMS having a target range of 120 kilometres and maximum speed of Mach 2.7, HQ-9 (P/98E) having target range of 120 kilometres and maximum speed of Mach 5, CAMM has target range of 100 kilometres and maximum speed of Mach 3.
Likewise, FM-90 has target range of 15 kilometres and maximum speed of Mach 3, Crotale has target range of 15 kilometres and maximum speed of Mach 3.6, respectively.
Manpower and size
India has one of the largest standing armed forces in the world with over 1.4 million active personnel. Pakistan, by comparison, maintains around 6.5 lakh active troops. While both nations rely on a mix of voluntary and conscripted forces, India’s numbers offer a significant numerical edge.
Defence budget and modernisation
India's defence budget for 2024-25 stands at approximately $74 billion, making it the third-highest in the world. Pakistan’s defence allocation, in contrast, is around $11 billion. This disparity allows India to invest heavily on modernisation, indigenous production under the 'Make in India' initiative, and procurement of advanced systems such as Rafale jets, S-400 air defense systems, and nuclear submarines.
Air defence advantage
India’s Air Force boasts over 2,000 aircraft, including advanced multi-role fighters like the Sukhoi Su-30MKI and Rafale. Pakistan's Air Force, with around 900 aircraft, relies heavily on F-16s and the JF-17 Thunder, jointly developed with China. While Pakistan has focused on cost-effective modernisation, India maintains a technological edge in terms of range, payload, and diversity of platforms.
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Naval edge, aircraft carrier
India’s Navy is significantly larger, with an aircraft carrier (INS Vikramaditya and the indigenous INS Vikrant), nuclear-powered submarines, and a growing fleet of destroyers and frigates. Pakistan's navy is smaller and more coastal in nature, with a focus on submarines and missile boats for deterrence.
