India and Pakistan: Military power comparison amid rising tensions

The modern world, despite enduring the devastation of two world wars, continues to grapple with border conflicts. One of the longest-running disputes is between India and Pakistan—two nuclear-armed neighbors locked in a 78-year conflict that began with religious tensions and later evolved into territorial disputes. In an era where such intransigence between heavily populated, strategically important nations raises global concern, many are asking: how do the militaries of India and Pakistan compare?

Military capabilities and drone technology

Both nations are rapidly expanding their drone capabilities—not only through imports but also via domestic production. India currently leads in drone numbers. According to military expert Rahul Bedi, India’s armed forces are expected to possess around 5,000 drones within the next two to four years. The country has also signed a deal with the U.S. State Department to acquire 31 advanced combat drones, including the MQ-9B SkyGuardian and the SeaGuardian, for maritime operations in 2024.

Pakistan, although it has fewer drones, is experienced in combat deployment. Its fleet includes surveillance, reconnaissance, and precision strike drones. Notably, the Burraq drone has been used in counter-terrorism operations since 2015.

Both countries also import drones from Turkey and China to enhance their arsenals.

Defense budgets and army size

The last major military confrontation between the two countries occurred in 1999, resulting in over 900 deaths. Since then, fears of another conflict have persisted.

India’s armed forces are among the largest in the world, with 1.4 million active personnel. According to the Global Firepower Index, India ranks as the fourth most powerful military globally. In contrast, Pakistan’s military is significantly smaller, with around 654,000 personnel.

Defense spending reflects this disparity. According to the Stockholm International Peace Research Institute (SIPRI), India’s defense budget in 2024 was nearly nine times greater than Pakistan’s.

Ground forces

India holds a substantial advantage in ground forces, with over 4,200 tanks and 1.5 million armored vehicles. Pakistan possesses approximately 2,600 tanks and fewer than 18,000 armored vehicles. Mobile artillery also plays a crucial role, with India operating 3,975 units compared to Pakistan’s 2,629.

Air forces

The Indian Air Force operates 2,229 aircraft, including 513 fighter jets and 130 bombers. Pakistan’s air fleet is considerably smaller, with 830 fewer aircraft than India

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Additionally, India has 130 dedicated attack aircraft, while Pakistan maintains 90. India also leads in helicopter strength, fielding 899 units compared to Pakistan’s 373.

Naval power

India’s naval fleet consists of 293 ships—more than double the size of Pakistan’s navy.

Missile and nuclear capabilities

India’s missile arsenal outpaces Pakistan’s in range and diversity. India’s Prithvi missiles can reach between 250 to 600 kilometers, while the Agni series covers distances from 1,200 to 8,000 kilometers. India also operates Nirbhay and BrahMos cruise missiles, with many of its long-range systems aimed at deterring China, a nation with which it also has territorial disputes.

Pakistan’s missile program, while less advanced in range, includes a broad spectrum of cruise and ballistic missiles for operational and tactical purposes.

Importantly, both India and Pakistan are nuclear powers. According to SIPRI, India possesses an estimated 172 nuclear warheads, while Pakistan holds around 170. However, it remains unclear how many of these warheads are combat-ready.

India is said to focus more on strategic deterrence against China, while Pakistan continues to develop its nuclear program in response to India’s conventional superiority.

Risk of escalation and regional tensions

The potential consequences of a conflict between these two nuclear-armed nations would be catastrophic. Compounding the concern is China’s growing nuclear arsenal, which has reportedly increased by 22 percent—from 410 to 500 warheads—raising tensions across the region.

Given the high stakes, the international community continues to urge India and Pakistan to exercise caution and seek diplomatic solutions to avoid escalation.

Comparative figures in other areas

India maintains a significant lead over Pakistan in many areas due to differences in population size, land area, and access to various resources. These disparities extend to logistics, economic capacity, and natural reserves.

India possesses approximately 4.605 billion barrels of oil reserves, ranking 22nd globally. Pakistan, by comparison, has 540 million barrels, placing it 41st worldwide. In terms of natural gas, India holds 1.381 trillion cubic meters in reserves, whereas Pakistan has 592.219 billion cubic meters. India also leads in coal reserves, with 11.052 billion tonnes, while Pakistan’s coal reserves are significantly smaller—just 3.064 billion tonnes, roughly 37 times less.

India covers a land area of 3,287,263 square kilometers, while Pakistan spans 796,095 square kilometers. Public records show that India has 14,500 square kilometers of navigable waterways. Pakistan, despite having a coastline along the Arabian Sea through Karachi, is reported to have none—likely due to underdeveloped inland water transport infrastructure.

Demographics

India is the most populous country in the world. According to recent data, its population exceeds 1.46 billion, accounting for about 18 percent of the global population. Males constitute 51.6 percent of the population. The country experiences rapid population growth, with an estimated 3,500 births every hour and an annual increase of more than 18 million. The average age is 27, though some sources report a range between 28 and 30. This youthful demographic translates into a large labor force. Life expectancy stands at approximately 65–66 years for men and 68 years for women. Around 65 percent of the population is between the ages of 15 and 64.

However, rapid demographic growth and decentralized governance have exacerbated living conditions for many. A significant portion of the population lives in poverty or extreme poverty. Literacy stands at 72 percent among those aged 15 and older, meaning around 290 million adults are illiterate.

While not as populous as India, Pakistan is still a major country with over 244 million residents—almost six times more than Uzbekistan. Roughly 51 percent of the population is male. Like India, Pakistan is a demographically young nation, with an average age of 22–23. About 60 percent of the population falls within the 15 to 64 age range. Life expectancy is comparable to India’s.

More than 800 children are born every hour in Pakistan, contributing to an annual population increase of approximately 5.2 million. The literacy rate is 58.7 percent among individuals aged 15 and above, indicating that more than 64 million adults remain illiterate.

Roots of the conflict

Pakistan was established as a separate state from India largely due to religious divisions. While British colonial policy is often blamed for the partition, the underlying tensions rooted in religious identity and freedom of belief predated the formal split. The division saw Hindu-majority areas form the Republic of India, while Muslim-majority areas became Pakistan. Despite this, Islam remains the second-largest religion in India, with more than 208 million adherents. Meanwhile, over 4.6 million Hindus live in Pakistan.

The most enduring point of contention between the two nations is the Kashmir region, which has a predominantly Muslim population. Both India and Pakistan claim the territory, and tensions have escalated, especially under nationalist leadership such as that of Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi.