India vs Pakistan: Military Strength and Defense Budgets Compared

The India-Pakistan rivalry, rooted in historical and geopolitical tensions, has long been defined by their military capabilities and defense spending. With both nations possessing nuclear arsenals and sharing a volatile border, their military strength remains a critical topic, especially amid recent escalations like the Pahalgam attack in April 2025. This blog compares their defense budgets, manpower, equipment, and strategic capabilities based on the latest available data, offering insights into their relative strengths. Defense Budgets: A Stark Disparity India’s defense budget significantly outpaces Pakistan’s, reflecting its larger economy and global ambitions. In 2024, India allocated $86.1 billion to its military, making it the fifth-largest defense spender globally, according to the Stockholm International Peace Research Institute (SIPRI). This marks a 1.6% increase from the previous year and a 67% rise over the past decade. For the fiscal year 2025-26, India’s defense budget is approximately ₹6.8 lakh crore ($80 billion), though only 22% is allocated for capital acquisitions due to high personnel and pension costs. Pakistan, by contrast, spent $10.2 billion in 2024, ranking 29th globally, a 5.1% decrease from 2023 due to economic constraints. For 2025-26, Pakistan’s defense budget is estimated at ₹2.28 trillion ($8.19-$10 billion), with plans for an 18% increase following recent tensions. Pakistan’s spending is about nine times smaller than India’s, but it allocates a higher share of its GDP (2.67% vs. India’s 1.9%) to defense, reflecting its focus on maintaining a robust military despite economic challenges. India’s larger budget supports modernization efforts, including indigenous projects like the Tejas fighter jet and Agni-V missiles, as well as imports from France, Israel, and the U.S. Pakistan relies heavily on China for 82% of its military hardware (2019-2023), supplemented by Turkey and historical ties with France and Russia. This disparity in financial resources gives India a long-term edge in sustaining and upgrading its forces. Manpower: Scale vs. Efficiency India boasts one of the world’s largest militaries, with 1.46 million active personnel, 1.15 million reserves, and 2.5 million paramilitary forces, according to the Global Firepower Index 2025. Its available manpower is approximately 662 million, driven by a population of over 1.4 billion. Pakistan, with a population of around 240 million, fields 654,000 active personnel, 500,000 reserves, and 108 million available manpower. India’s numerical advantage is clear, but Pakistan’s military is leaner and focuses on agility along the Line of Control (LoC). India’s army alone has 2.1 million personnel, compared to Pakistan’s 1.3 million. The Indian Air Force and Navy have 310,575 and 142,252 personnel, respectively, while Pakistan’s equivalents have 78,128 and 124,800. Pakistan’s smaller force is designed for rapid response and deterrence, particularly in contested regions like Kashmir. Air Power: Quantity and Quality India’s air force operates 2,229 aircraft, including 730 combat-capable aircraft like the French Rafale, indigenous Tejas, and Russian Su-30 MKI. It has 606 fighter jets, 899 helicopters (including 80 attack helicopters), and 130 dedicated attack aircraft. Pakistan’s air force, with 1,399 aircraft, includes 452 combat aircraft, 387 fighter jets, 373 helicopters (57 attack helicopters), and 90 attack aircraft. India’s fleet is larger and more diverse, but Pakistan’s modern platforms, like the Chinese J-10C and JF-17 Block-3, enhance its capabilities. India’s acquisition of 36 Rafale jets since 2019 has addressed gaps exposed during the 2019 skirmish, when it relied on aging Russian jets. Pakistan’s reliance on Chinese aircraft, such as the FC-31 and J-10C, and older U.S. F-16s limits its technological edge but provides cost-effective firepower. Pakistan also has a slight advantage in attack helicopters, critical for close air support. Ground Forces: Tanks and Artillery India’s ground forces dominate in scale, with 4,201 tanks (including T-90 Bhishma and Arjun series), 148,594 armored vehicles, and 11,225 artillery pieces. Pakistan fields 2,627 tanks (including Chinese Al Khalid-1 and VT-4), 17,516 armored vehicles, and 4,619 artillery pieces. However, Pakistan leads in self-propelled artillery (662 vs. India’s 100) and mobile rocket systems (600 vs. India’s 264), giving it an edge in mobile firepower. India’s logistical infrastructure, with 6.37 million kilometers of roads and 311 airports, supports rapid troop and supply movement. Pakistan’s 264,000 kilometers of roads and 116 airports are less extensive, constraining its logistical reach. India’s 3,975 towed artillery units outnumber Pakistan’s 2,629, but Pakistan’s focus on self-propelled systems reflects a strategy for dynamic border engagements. Naval Power: Regional vs. Coastal India’s navy is a regional powerhouse with 293 vessels, including 2 aircraft carriers (INS Vikramaditya and INS Vikrant), 18 submarines, 13 destroyers, and 14 frigates. This blue-water navy can project power across the Indian Ocean. Pakistan’s navy, with 121 vessels, includes 8 submarines and 10 frigates but lacks carriers or destroyers, limiting it to coastal defense. India’s 56 major ports versus Pakistan’s 3 further enhance its naval supply chain. India’s naval modernization includes nuclear-powered submarines and Nilgiri-class frigates, while Pakistan relies on Chinese and Turkish designs for its smaller fleet. India’s carrier-based operations give it a strategic advantage in maritime conflicts. Nuclear Capabilities: A Delicate Balance Both nations are nuclear powers, with India possessing 172 warheads and Pakistan 170, per SIPRI’s 2024 report. India recently surpassed Pakistan in warhead numbers, bolstered by its Agni-V missiles with multiple independently targetable reentry vehicles (MIRVs), capable of striking targets 5,000-8,000 kilometers away. Pakistan is enhancing its air-launched cruise missiles for second-strike capability. The near-parity in nuclear arsenals ensures mutual deterrence, but experts warn that any escalation risks catastrophic consequences. Recent Developments: Operation Sindoor and Escalation Tensions spiked in April 2025 after a militant attack in Kashmir killed 26 tourists, prompting India’s “Operation Sindoor” on May 7, 2025. India launched missile strikes targeting alleged terrorist sites in Pakistan, killing 31. Pakistan denied involvement, claimed to have shot down Indian drones, and responded with shelling. Both sides reported civilian casualties, and Pakistan’s military claimed to have downed five Indian aircraft, a claim unconfirmed by India. A ceasefire was reached on May 10, but violations persist, with Pakistan reportedly launching drones and a Fateh-2 missile, intercepted by India’s air defenses. India’s suspension of the Indus Water Treaty and Pakistan’s vow for a “full-force response” have heightened risks. Experts like Gen. (retd) Nasser Janjua warn that while full-scale war is unlikely, miscalculations could lead to disaster. Strategic Implications India’s advantages—larger budget, manpower, and diverse arsenal—position it as the stronger conventional power, ranking 4th globally per the Global Firepower Index 2025, compared to Pakistan’s 12th. Its infrastructure and indigenous production reduce reliance on imports, unlike Pakistan, which faces economic constraints and depends on China. However, Pakistan’s focus on mobile artillery, nuclear deterrence, and agile forces ensures it remains a formidable adversary in short, intense conflicts. The disparity in defense spending raises questions about sustainability. India’s high personnel costs limit modernization, with shortages in fighter jets, submarines, and air defense systems. Pakistan’s economic woes and IMF bailouts strain its budget, yet it maintains a credible deterrent. Both nations face a delicate balance: India must counter China as well, while Pakistan navigates internal instability and border threats. Conclusion India holds a clear edge in military strength and defense spending, driven by its economic power and global ambitions. Pakistan, while outmatched in scale, compensates with strategic focus and nuclear parity, ensuring neither side can dominate without risking devastation. As tensions simmer, de-escalation and diplomacy are critical to avoid a conflict that could destabilize South Asia and beyond. The question looms: can these rivals prioritize peace over rivalry, or will their military buildup lead to an inevitable clash.