Thread by @Starboy2079

India vs Pakistan: Military Strength Comparison (Thread)

While Pakistan may claim it's prepared for war but, wars aren’t won through rhetoric
They are won with firepower, manpower, logistics, and financial muscle

Let’s break down how they stack up across key parameters

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1. Global Rankings

India: Ranked 4th globally in the Global Firepower Index (2025) with a Power Index (PwrIndx) score of 0.1184 (lower is better). India is behind only the US, Russia, and China in military strength

Pakistan: Ranked 12th globally with a PwrIndx score of 0.2513

2. Manpower

Active Personnel
India : 14.5 Lac
Pakistan : 6.5 Lac

Reserve Personnel
India : 9.6 Lac
Pakistan : 6.4 Lac

Paramilitary Forces
India : 25 Lac
Pakistan : 5 Lac

Available Manpower
India : 6.5 Crore
Pakistan : 1 Crore

3. Defense Budget

India : $75 Billion
Pakistan: $8.5 Billion

Analysis: India’s defense budget is 9–10 times larger, allowing for greater procurement of advanced technology and sustainment of larger forces.
Pakistan relies on cost-effective solutions, such as Chinese equipment

4. Land Forces

India:
Tanks: 4,614
Armored Vehicles: 151,248
Artillery:
Towed: ~9,719 pieces
Self-Propelled: 140 systems

Pakistan:
Tanks: 3,742
Armored Vehicles: 50,523
Artillery:
Towed: 9,719
Self-Propelled: 752 systems

5. Air Forces

India
Total Aircraft: 2,296
Fighter Squadrons: ~31 squadrons
Air Defense: S-400 systems
Personnel: 127,200

Pakistan
Total Aircraft: 1,434
Fighter Squadrons: 20
Air Defense: Relies on Chinese HQ-9, less advanced than India’s S-400
Personnel: significantly smaller

Analysis

India’s air force is larger and more technologically advanced, with modern platforms like Rafale and a broader supplier base (Russia, France, U.S., Israel).

Pakistan’s air force, while smaller, with JF-17 providing a cost-effective counter.

6. Naval Forces
India:
Fleet Strength: 293 vessels, including 2 aircraft carriers
Personnel: 67,700
Capabilities: 75 combat-capable aircraft

Pakistan:
Fleet Strength: 121 vessels, no aircraft carriers or destroyers
Personnel: 23,800
Capabilities: with 8 combat-capable aircraft

Analysis

India’s navy dominates with its aircraft carriers, larger submarine fleet, and ability to project power across the Indian Ocean.

Pakistan’s smaller navy prioritizes coastal defense and deterrence, with submarines posing a limited threat to India’s maritime dominance.

7. Nuclear Capabilities
India:
Warheads: 130–150
Delivery Systems: Agni-series ballistic missiles (5000 KMs), nuclear-capable aircraft, and submarine-launched ballistic missiles (INS Arihant)

Pakistan:
Warheads: 140–170
Delivery Systems: Shaheen (2,000 km), Babur

8. Missile Capabilities

India: Diverse arsenal, including long-range ballistic missiles (Agni-5, 5,000+ km), cruise missiles (BrahMos), and anti-satellite capabilities

Pakistan: Focuses on shorter-range and tactical missiles with Shaheen-2 as its longest-range system.

9. Natural Resources and Logistics

Oil Production:
India : 795,000 barrels/day, 4.6 billion barrels in reserves
Pakistan : 101,000 barrels/day; 540 million barrels in reserves

Waterways
India : 14,500 km of navigable waterways
Pakistan : No significant waterways

Coastline
India : 7,000 km
Pakistan : 1,046 km

India’s superior resource base and extensive waterways enhance its logistical capabilities, while Pakistan’s limited resources constrain sustained operations

Conclusion

India holds a clear advantage in conventional military strength due to its larger manpower, budget, and advanced technology across land, air, and naval domains. Its global ranking, historical victories, and strategic alliances confirms its dominance

India's unified command, robust artillery, tactical nuclear arsenal, and asymmetric warfare capabilities make it a formidable adversary

Other side Economic constraints and limited resources hinder Pakistan’s ability to match India’s scale

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