AI-generated representative image indicating Indian and Pakistani armies.
Credit: Grok
India and Pakistan have been at loggerheads after terrorists on Tuesday opened fire in Baisaran, a popular tourist spot in the upper reaches of Pahalgam in Anantnag district, killing 26 people, mostly holidayers from other states.
While Prime Minister Narendra Modi asserted that the killers would be pursued "to the ends of the Earth", the Pakistan military has been put on high alert following India's vow to hunt down the terrorists involved in the Pahalgam strike.
With rising tension between the neighbouring countries, let us compare and analyse the militaries of India and Pakistan.
Military Ranking
As per the Global Firepower Index, that considers 60 factors to determine the fighting potential of a country, in terms of world’s most powerful armies, India ranks fourth while Pakistan is at position 12.
Aircraft fleet strength
India has 2,229 total military planes, which makes it rank in the top 5 countries with the highest combat aircraft fleet strength, with US topping the list -- the stat-based site said.
Meanwhile, Pakistan is at number seven on the list with 1,399 planes.
India has 513 fighter aircraft, while Pakistan lags behind with 328 fighter aircraft.
When it comes to aerial tankers, India has six, and Pakistan four.
However, with 565 trainers, Pakistan beats India, which has 351 trainers.
Naval power
With a fleet strength of 293, India ranks number six while Pakistan is positioned at 27 with a strength of 121.
Meanwhile, India has two aircraft carriers, and Pakistan is yet to open its account. Similarly, while Pakistan does not own any destroyers, India has 13.
When it comes to submarines, India ranks 7, and Pakistan 11, with 18 and 8 subs, respectively.
Manpower
India ranks second globally with 14,55,550 active personnel, while Pakistan, with 6,54,000, ranks seventh.
When it comes to paramilitary forces, India has 25,27,000, while the neighbouring nation has only 5,00,000.
There is a vast difference in the number of people reaching military age annually in the two countries, owing to the population difference. A total of 2,39,55,181 people achieve military age in India every year, while 47,94,908 reach the age in Pakistan.
Defence Budget
India's defence budget for 2025-26 is Rs 6,81,210 crore, while Pakistan's defence budget this year is reportedly Rs 2,281 billion (Rs 2,28,100 crore).
Arms supplier
India - The Indian Armed Forces mostly comprises Russia and Soviet-origin equipment, as well as some smaller arms that are Western and domestially-produced. While France, Israel, and the US are also among major arms suppliers in India, Russia is the leading supplier.
Pakistan - Since Pakistan has a Non-NATO Ally (MNNA) status with the US, its inventories mostly come from China, France, Russia, Turkey, with China being the leading arms supplier in the country. Pakista has a domestic defense industry as well.