Pakistan’s 660,000-strong military is about a quarter of the size of India’s, and its defence spending last year was just one-tenth that of its eastern neighbour, according to the International Institute for Strategic Studies. Despite economic pressures, however, Pakistan has kept defence spending steady – even as social welfare budgets were cut.
India, by contrast, spent £56 billion on defence in 2023, making it Asia’s second-largest military budget after China and the sixth-largest globally. Its armed forces significantly outnumber those of Pakistan, with 2.5 million active personnel. India operates 4,201 tanks to Pakistan’s 2,627.
Since 2019, both sides have acquired advanced hardware, expanding conventional strike capabilities.
India, which then relied on ageing Russian aircraft, has since inducted 36 French-built Rafale fighter jets, with more on order for its navy.
In response, Pakistan has acquired China’s J-10 multirole fighters – a rough equivalent to the Rafale, though as yet untested in combat.
On the ground, India deploys Russia’s S-400 long-range missile system. Pakistan fields China’s HQ-9, based on Russia’s earlier and less capable S-300.
Both nations possess nuclear arsenals, though India’s is larger and supported by a more advanced delivery infrastructure.
Unlike Islamabad, however, New Delhi faces a potential second front: its disputed border with China.