India-Pakistan Military Balance: A Comparative Analysis
A recent assessment by CNN has highlighted the significant disparity in military capabilities between India and Pakistan. According to the report, India’s military would be seen as superior to Pakistan’s in any conventional conflict. The Indian defense budget, for instance, is more than nine times Pakistan’s, as per this year’s edition of "The Military Balance," an assessment of armed forces by the International Institute for Strategic Studies (IISS).
The Indian defense budget supports an active-duty force of almost 1.5 million personnel, compared to 660,000 for Pakistan. On the ground, India’s 1.2 million-strong army has 3,750 main battle tanks and more than 10,000 artillery pieces, while Pakistan’s tank force is only two-thirds of India’s and Islamabad has fewer than half of the artillery pieces in New Delhi’s arsenal. As CNN reports, "On the ground, India’s 1.2 million-strong army has 3,750 main battle tanks and more than 10,000 artillery pieces, while Pakistan’s tank force is only two-thirds of India’s and Islamabad has fewer than half of the artillery pieces in New Delhi’s arsenal."
At sea, the Indian navy’s advantage is overwhelming. It has two aircraft carriers, 12 guided-missile destroyers, 11 guided-missile frigates, and 16 attack submarines. In contrast, Pakistan has no carriers and no guided-missile destroyers, with 11 smaller guided-missile frigates being the backbone of its naval fleet. It also has only half the number of subs that India fields. According to CNN, "Pakistan has no carriers and no guided-missile destroyers, with 11 smaller guided-missile frigates being the backbone of its naval fleet."
Both air forces rely heavily on older Soviet-era aircraft, including MiG-21s in India and the Chinese equivalent – the J-7 – in Pakistan. However, India has been investing in multirole French-made Rafale jets, with 36 now in service, according to "The Military Balance." Pakistan has added Chinese J-10 multirole jets, with more than 20 now in its fleet. The backbone of Pakistan’s fleet has become the JF-17, a joint project with China that came online in the early 2000s, with about 150 in service.
Russian-made aircraft play a significant role in India’s air fleet, with more than 100 MiG-29 fighters in service with the air force and navy combined, plus over 260 Su-30 ground attack jets. The rivals are closer in capabilities when it comes to nuclear forces, with around five dozen surface-to-surface launchers each, though India has longer-range ballistic missiles than Pakistan.
The military balance between India and Pakistan has significant implications for regional security. As CNN notes, the disparity in military capabilities between the two nations could have a profound impact on the balance of power in the region. The International Institute for Strategic Studies (IISS) provides a comprehensive assessment of the military capabilities of both nations in its annual publication, "The Military Balance."
In conclusion, the military balance between India and Pakistan is a complex and multifaceted issue. While India’s military has a significant advantage in terms of numbers and technology, Pakistan’s military has a strong track record of performance. As the situation in Kashmir continues to unfold, understanding the military balance between these two nuclear-armed nations is crucial for assessing the risks and implications of any potential conflict.
Source: CNN – https://www.cnn.com/world/live-news/india-pakistan-attack-kashmir-tourists-intl-hnk
