Who is More Powerful India or Pakistan: Following the mournful incident of the Pahalgam Terrorist Attack, the Indian government is now taking stringent measures to enhance security in the region.
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The government has suspended the Indus Water Treaty, a six-decade-old water-sharing agreement with Pakistan that governs the distribution of water from the Indus River system and its tributaries.
You are watching: India vs. Pakistan Military Strength: A Detailed Analysis of Army, Navy and Air Force
In the wake of the terrorist attack in Pahalgam, chaired a meeting of the CCS at 7, Lok Kalyan Marg. pic.twitter.com/bZj5gggp5l
— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) April 23, 2025
Pakistan has been linked to several terrorist attacks in India over the years. While it has a civilian government, it heavily influences the government. But do you know, between India and Pakistan, who has the upper hand in terms of military strength and resources?
Let’s take a look at the comparison between the two countries.
IND vs PAK Military Strength and Personnel Comparison
India holds a PowerIndex of 0.1184, securing the 4th position out of 145 countries. In comparison, Pakistan’s PowerIndex stands at 0.2513, placing it at the 12th rank among the same 145 nations.
|
Country |
PwrIndx |
Rank (out of 145) |
|
India |
0.1184 |
4 |
|
Pakistan |
0.2513 |
12 |
1. Manpower
India holds a clear advantage in manpower, with a total population of 1.4 billion compared to Pakistan’s 252 million. India’s available manpower is approximately 662 million, while Pakistan’s stands at 108 million.
Active military personnel in India number 1.45 million, compared to 654,000 in Pakistan, a substantial lead of 801,550 personnel. Similarly, India maintains a larger reserve force of 1.15 million versus Pakistan’s 550,000.
Additionally, India boasts 2.52 million paramilitary personnel, towering over Pakistan’s 500,000. This robust workforce provides India with a significant edge in terms of mobilisation and operational capacity.
2. Airpower
India also excels in airpower, ranked 4th globally, with 2,229 total aircraft, far surpassing Pakistan’s 1,399 aircraft. India operates 513 fighter aircraft, compared to Pakistan’s 328, giving it a significant advantage in air dominance capabilities.
India also operates 130 dedicated attack aircraft and 899 helicopters, including 80 attack helicopters, which outmatch Pakistan’s 90 attack aircraft, 373 helicopters, and 57 attack helicopters. These figures bolster India’s readiness for both offensive and defensive aerial operations.
3. Land Power
In terms of land power, India owns 4,201 tanks, compared to Pakistan’s 2,627 tanks, a superiority of 1,574 tanks.
Furthermore, India operates 148,594 armoured vehicles, dwarfing Pakistan’s 17,516. However, Pakistan’s self-propelled artillery count of 662 units surpasses India’s 100 units, reflecting some parity.
Additionally, India leads in towed artillery with 3,975 units, while Pakistan has 2,629 units. India’s 264 mobile rocket systems constitute a smaller number compared to Pakistan’s 600 units, highlighting the latter’s focus on mobile artillery.
4. Naval Power
India dominates the naval domain, with a fleet strength of 293 vessels, significantly more than Pakistan’s 121 vessels. India operates two aircraft carriers, while Pakistan has none.
Additionally, India has 18 submarines, compared to Pakistan’s 8, and 13 destroyers, while Pakistan possesses none.
India’s naval fleet also includes 14 frigates, 18 corvettes, and 135 patrol vessels, far outstripping Pakistan’s counterparts in both numbers and technological sophistication. This naval might ensures sustainable maritime dominance and expanded reach in the Indian Ocean.
5. National Resources
India’s natural resource reserves contribute to its overall strength. India ranks 23rd in global oil production with 795,000 barrels per day, compared to Pakistan’s 101,000 barrels per day, illustrating a significant disparity.
India also has 4.6 billion barrels of proven oil reserves, compared to Pakistan’s 540 million barrels. Moreover, India produces substantial quantities of coal (985 million metric tonnes annually), compared to Pakistan’s modest output of 12 million metric tonnes.
6. Financial Power
India significantly outpaces Pakistan in financial strength. Its defence budget stands at 75 billion, compared to Pakistan’s 7.64 billion, reflecting an unparalleled lead of 67 billion. India’s foreign reserves are 627 billion, whereas Pakistan holds only 13.7 billion.
Moreover, India’s purchasing power parity is estimated at 13.1 trillion, while Pakistan’s is around $1.34 trillion, further demonstrating India’s financial dominance.
7. Logistics
Logistically, India is highly equipped, with 311 operational airports, compared to Pakistan’s 116. India also has 56 major ports and trade terminals, while Pakistan has just 3, significantly limiting its naval supply chain.
India’s road network spans 6.37 million kilometres, compared to Pakistan’s 264,000 kilometres, ensuring efficient mobilisation of troops and supplies. This infrastructural capacity gives India a crucial advantage in sustaining long-term wartime efforts.
8. Geography
Pakistan holds some advantage geographically due to shorter internal supply lines and strategic chokepoints in the region, such as its control over the Arabian Sea coastline and proximity to Afghanistan.
However, India’s overall size and coastline of 7,000 kilometres, compared to Pakistan’s 1,046 kilometres, grant it greater geopolitical leverage and access to global trade routes.
India vs Pakistan Military Strength: Manpower
#WATCH | Indian Army has launched a joint search operation with the Special Operations Group (SOG) of Jammu and Kashmir Police in Poonch’s Lasana forest area to nab terrorists
(Visuals deferred by unspecified time) pic.twitter.com/cdopHYdpZa
— ANI (@ANI) April 24, 2025
India has a much bigger population than Pakistan. India’s total population is about 1.4 billion, while Pakistan’s is around 252 million. This means India has a lot more people available for different things.
When we look at who is able to join the military, India has about 662 million people, and Pakistan has about 108 million. More people in India are also considered fit to serve in the military, with about 522 million compared to Pakistan’s roughly 85 million.
Each year, more young people in India reach the age where they can join the military. India has almost 24 million people reaching this age every year, while Pakistan has about 4.8 million.
India also has more people actively serving in their military, with about 1.4 million active personnel, compared to Pakistan’s 654,000. For reserve personnel, India has around 1.1 million, and Pakistan has about 550,000.
Finally, India has a larger number of paramilitary forces, with about 2.5 million, while Pakistan has around 500,000.
|
Category |
India |
Pakistan |
|
Total Population |
1,409,128,296 |
252,363,571 |
|
Available Manpower |
662,290,299 |
108,516,336 |
|
Fit-for-Service |
522,786,598 |
85,803,614 |
|
Reaching Mil. Age Annually |
23,955,181 |
4,794,908 |
|
Active Personnel |
1,455,550 |
654,000 |
|
Reserve Personnel |
1,155,000 |
550,000 |
|
Paramilitary Forces |
2,527,000 |
500,000 |
India vs Pakistan Military Strength: Finance
When we look at the money each country spends on its military (Defence Budget), India spends a lot more than Pakistan. India’s defence budget is 75 billion dollars, while Pakistan’s is about 7.64 billion dollars.
In terms of how much money each country owes to other countries (External Debt), India’s debt is much higher, at 371 billion dollars, compared to Pakistan’s 92.4 billion dollars.
However, India also has much larger savings (Foreign Reserve) with 627.8 billion dollars, while Pakistan has 13.7 billion dollars.
Finally, when we look at how much each country can buy overall (Purchasing Power), India’s economy is significantly larger, with 13.1 trillion dollars, compared to Pakistan’s 1.35 trillion dollars.
|
Financial Metric |
India (USD) |
Pakistan (USD) |
|
Defense Budget |
75,000,000,000 |
7,640,000,000 |
|
External Debt |
371,020,500,000 |
92,426,000,000 |
|
Foreign Reserve |
627,793,000,000 |
13,730,000,000 |
|
Purchasing Power |
13,104,000,000,000 |
1,347,000,000,000 |
India vs Pakistan Military Strength: Air Power
When we look at airpower, India has a larger overall number of aircraft than Pakistan. India has a total of 2,229 aircraft, while Pakistan has 1,399.
India also has more fighter aircraft (513 vs. 328), dedicated attack aircraft (130 vs. 90), transport aircraft (270 vs. 64), special-mission aircraft (74 vs. 27), and helicopters (899 vs. 373).
However, Pakistan has more trainer aircraft (565 vs. 351). India has a few more aerial tankers (6 vs. 4), and both countries have attack helicopters, though India has a slightly larger number (80 vs. 57).
|
Aircraft Type |
India |
Pakistan |
|
Total Aircraft |
2,229 |
1,399 |
|
Fighter Aircraft |
513 |
328 |
|
Dedicated Attack |
130 |
90 |
|
Transports |
270 |
64 |
|
Trainers |
351 |
565 |
|
Special-Mission |
74 |
27 |
|
Aerial Tankers |
6 |
4 |
|
Helicopters |
899 |
373 |
|
Attack Helicopters |
80 |
57 |
India vs Pakistan Military Strength: Land Power
When we look at land power, India has more tanks and armoured vehicles than Pakistan. India has 4,201 tanks, while Pakistan has 2,627. India also has a lot more armoured vehicles (148,594) compared to Pakistan (17,516).
However, Pakistan has more self-propelled artillery (662) and mobile rocket projectors (600) than India, which has 100 and 264, respectively.
India does have more towed artillery guns (3,975) than Pakistan (2,629). So, while India has more of some ground weapons, Pakistan has more of others.
|
Weapon Type |
India |
Pakistan |
|
Tank Strength |
4,201 |
2,627 |
|
Armored Vehicles |
148,594 |
17,516 |
|
Self-Propelled Artillery |
100 |
662 |
|
Towed Artillery |
3,975 |
2,629 |
|
Mobile Rocket Projectors |
264 |
600 |
India vs Pakistan Military Strength: Naval Power
India’s navy is much bigger than Pakistan’s. India has a total of 293 ships and ranks 6th in the world. Pakistan has 121 ships and ranks 27th. India has 2 aircraft carriers, while Pakistan has none.
Both countries have no helo carriers. India has more submarines (18 vs 8) and significantly more destroyers (13 vs 0).
India also has more frigates (14 vs 9), corvettes (18 vs 9), and patrol vessels (135 vs 69). Pakistan has a few mine warfare ships (3), but India has none.
|
Ship Type |
India |
Pakistan |
|
Fleet Strength |
293 |
121 |
|
Aircraft Carriers |
2 |
0 |
|
Helo Carriers |
0 |
0 |
|
Submarines |
18 |
8 |
|
Destroyers |
13 |
0 |
|
Frigates |
14 |
9 |
|
Corvettes |
18 |
9 |
|
Patrol Vessels |
135 |
69 |
|
Mine Warfare |
0 |
3 |
India vs Pakistan Military Strength: Logistics
When we look at how India and Pakistan handle moving things around (logistics), there are some big differences. India has a lot more airports (311) compared to Pakistan (116). India also has a much larger number of ships (merchant marine), with 1,859 compared to Pakistan’s 60.
In terms of ports and terminals, India has 56, while Pakistan only has 3. India’s workforce is also significantly larger, with 593,729,000 people compared to Pakistan’s 80,990,000.
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Finally, India has a much more extensive road network, with 6,371,847 km of roadways compared to Pakistan’s 264,175 km, and a significant amount of paved roadways (65,554 km) compared to Pakistan’s 11,881 km.
Overall, India has a much larger and more developed logistics infrastructure than Pakistan.
|
Logistics Category |
India |
Pakistan |
|
Airports (Rank) |
311 (20) |
116 (43) |
|
Merchant Marine (Rank) |
1,859 (12) |
60 (81) |
|
Ports & Terminals (Rank) |
56 (13) |
3 (43) |
|
Labour Force (Rank) |
593,729,000 (2) |
80,990,000 (6) |
|
Roadways (Total) (Rank) |
6,371,847 km (2) |
264,175 km (22) |
|
Roadways (Paved) (Rank) |
65,554 km (4) |
11,881 km (20) |
India vs Pakistan Military Strength: Natural Resources
India and Pakistan both have important natural resources, but they differ in how much they produce and use.
India makes much more oil (795,000 barrels) than Pakistan (101,000 barrels), but it also uses a lot more (5,049,000 barrels compared to Pakistan’s 473,000 barrels). India also has way more oil reserves.
When it comes to natural gas, Pakistan actually produces slightly more (36,937,000,000 barrels) than India (33,170,000,000 barrels), but India consumes more. Again, India has larger natural gas reserves.
For coal, India is a big producer (985,671,000 barrels) compared to Pakistan (12,712,000 barrels), and it uses much more as well. India also has significantly larger coal reserves.
|
Resource |
India |
Pakistan |
|
Oil Production (Rank) |
795,000 bbl (Rnk 23) |
101,000 bbl (Rnk 43) |
|
Oil Consumption (Rank) |
5,049,000 bbl (Rnk 124) |
473,000 bbl (Rnk 93) |
|
Proven Oil Reserves (Rank) |
4,605,000,000 bbl (Rnk 22) |
540,000,000 bbl (Rnk 41) |
|
Natural Gas Production (Rank) |
33,170,000,000 bbl (Rnk 23) |
36,937,000,000 bbl (Rnk 21) |
|
Natural Gas Consumption (Rank) |
58,867,000,000 bbl (Rnk 98) |
46,448,000,000 bbl (Rnk 93) |
|
Proven Nat. Gas Reserves (Rank) |
1,381,000,000,000 bbl (Rnk 24) |
592,219,000,000 bbl (Rnk 30) |
|
Coal Production (Rank) |
985,671,000 bbl (Rnk 2) |
12,712,000 bbl (Rnk 29) |
|
Coal Consumption (Rank) |
1,200,000,000 bbl (Rnk 118) |
34,027,000 bbl (Rnk 98) |
|
Proven Coal Reserves (Rank) |
111,052,000,000 bbl (Rnk 5) |
3,064,000,000 bbl (Rnk 26) |
India vs Pakistan Military Strength: Geography
India is a much larger country than Pakistan. India’s land area is 3,287,263 square kilometres, ranking it 7th in the world, while Pakistan’s land area is 796,095 square kilometres, ranking it 35th.
India also has a longer total border, measuring 13,888 kilometres (ranked 131st), compared to Pakistan’s 7,257 kilometres (ranked 122nd).
When it comes to coastline, India’s is 7,000 kilometres long (ranked 90th), and Pakistan’s is 1,046 kilometres (ranked 43rd). Finally, India has a significant network of waterways, totalling 14,500 kilometres (ranked 10th), while Pakistan has no navigable waterways (ranked 145th).
|
Feature |
India |
Pakistan |
|
Land Area |
3,287,263 km |
796,095 km |
|
Land Area Rank |
7 |
35 |
|
Total Border |
13,888 km |
7,257 km |
|
Border Rank |
131 |
122 |
|
Coastline |
7,000 km |
1,046 km |
|
Coastline Rank |
90 |
43 |
|
Waterways |
14,500 km |
0 km |
|
Waterways Rank |
10 |
145 |
Disclaimer: The data has been taken from the Global Fire Power Index, which ranks military strength based on various factors. This index offers a numerical comparison but is one perspective among others. Its methodology and weightings influence rankings. While informative, this data is a snapshot and not the only measure of military effectiveness or conflict outcomes. Consider it as one element in a broader evaluation.
Source: https://dinhtienhoang.edu.vn
Category: Optical Illusion