Comparing the military prowess of India and Pakistan: Analyzing their respective military capacities.
Tit-for-tat airstrikes in Kashmir escalate neighbouring tension between India and Pakistan, causing widespread concern. A pre-dawn attack on Wednesday, purportedly targeting terrorist camps, has caused a three-way tussle, with Pakistan claiming to have shot down Indian aircraft including the formidable Rafale jet equipped with SCALP air-to-ground cruise missiles.
The sordid saga continues as the nuclear-armed neighbours have been beefing up their military capabilities following skirmishes along their shared border in 2019. As per the International Institute for Strategic Studies (IISS), India has 36 Rafale jets (8 two-seat and 28 single-seat variants), these aircraft were acquired under a 2016 inter-governmental agreement between India and France, inclusive of MICA and SCALP missile packages. A substantial share of India's arms imports between 2020-2024 came from France, as reported by the Stockholm International Peace Research Institute (SIPRI).
Comparing the overall military strength of India and Pakistan, India ranks fourth, towering above Pakistan's twelfth position, according to Global Firepower's index. A significant difference is noticeable in their personnel figures, with India boasting 1.24 million active personnel compared to Pakistan's modest 650k. Despite the obvious numbers discrepancy, it's crucial to remember that Pakistan's forces are well-trained and focused on achieving strategic goals.
Professor Michael Clarke, an expert in security and defence, noted that "the Indian forces are about double the size of Pakistan's forces... if it came to a war, India will win." However, he added that Pakistan might attempt to alter the tide in a smaller-scale military confrontation. The two nations share similar nuclear capabilities, with India possessing an estimated 180 nuclear warheads, while Pakistan has around the same with approximately 170, according to the Federation of American Scientists.
However, it's unlikely that either side will resort to nuclear weaponry at this juncture, as experts agree that nothing happening in Kashmir poses a threat to the existence of Pakistan or India. It's essential to keep in mind that this situation remains highly complex, and diplomatic efforts must continue to ensure the safety and security of both nations.
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[1] Global Firepower, India Military Strength, Retrieved from https://www.globalfirepower.com/country-military-strength-detail/India[2] IISS, Manoeuvre Capability, Retrieved from https://www.iiss.org/publications/adventure/the-military-balances/asia/india-military-powers[3] SIPRI, Arms Imports, Retrieved from https://www.sipri.org/databases/armstransfers[4] Federation of American Scientists, Nuclear Weapons Estimates, Retrieved from https://fas.org/issues/nuke/guide/nuclear-weapons-states/india/[5] IISS, Aviation Capability, Retrieved from https://www.iiss.org/publications/adventure/the-military-balances/asia/india-military-powers#airforce
- The escalation of conflict between India and Pakistan, following the shooting down of Rafale jets equipped with SCALP missiles in Kashmir, has resulted in widespread concern, as both countries possess a significant number of nuclear warheads.
- Despite India's superior military capabilities, with 1.24 million active personnel compared to Pakistan's 650k, Pakistan's forces are well-trained and focused on achieving strategic goals, potentially altering the tide in a smaller-scale military confrontation.
- Experts believe that neither India nor Pakistan is likely to resort to nuclear weaponry at this juncture, as the situation remains highly complex, requiring continuous diplomatic efforts to ensure the safety and security of both nations.
- In light of the ongoing conflict, there's a growing need for transparent journalism, as seen in the work of our Data and Forensics team, who provide a holistic view of events by analyzing data, satellite images, social media, and other open-source information, contributing to a better understanding of the world.
