Pakistan’s Information Minister Attaullah Tarar has revealed that the country possesses “credible intelligence” suggesting that India may initiate a military strike within the next 24 to 36 hours.
This warning comes in the wake of the recent Pahalgam attack in Indian-administered Kashmir, which resulted in the deaths of 26 tourists. India has blamed Pakistan for the incident, despite offering no concrete evidence. In response, New Delhi has granted its military “operational freedom” to act against those it deems responsible.
How do the countries defenses compare?
As tensions escalate, comparisons between the two countries’ military capabilities highlight a significant imbalance. According to Global Firepower (GFP), India ranks fourth globally in overall military strength, while Pakistan stands at twelfth among 145 nations.
Defense spending
India significantly outpaces Pakistan in defense spending, allocating approximately $86 billion for 2024–25, making it the world’s fifth-largest military spender. This represents 1.9 percent of India’s GDP and 13.45 percent of its total national budget. Pakistan’s defense budget for 2025–26 stands at $10.5 billion, or 1.7 percent of its GDP, as reported by Dawn News.
Military strength
In terms of manpower, India has a vast pool of over 662 million available personnel, compared to Pakistan’s 108 million. India fields a total of around 5.1 million military personnel, with 1.4 million active. Pakistan maintains approximately 1.7 million personnel, with 650,000 active troops.
The Indian Air Force possesses 2,229 aircraft, of which 1,672 are operational. This includes 513 fighter jets, 130 attack aircraft, and 899 helicopters. In contrast, the Pakistan Air Force operates 1,399 aircraft, with 797 combat-ready, including 328 fighter jets and 373 helicopters.
India also maintains a stronger naval force with 293 assets, including two aircraft carriers and 18 submarines. Pakistan’s navy comprises 121 assets, with no aircraft carriers or destroyers and only eight submarines.
Nukes
Despite near parity in nuclear capabilities—India with 172 warheads and Pakistan with 170—the overall military disparity underscores the gravity of the current standoff.
