The military rivalry between India and Pakistan is among the most enduring and closely watched in the world. Both nations have invested heavily in their armed forces since their partition in 1947, shaped by a history of wars, border skirmishes, and deep-seated mistrust. As of 2025, the question of whether Pakistan’s military is stronger than India’s is best answered through a comprehensive, data-driven comparison across manpower, equipment, budgets, and strategic capabilities.
Global Rankings and Power Index
According to the Global Firepower Index 2025, India is ranked 4th globally, while Pakistan stands at 12th. The Power Index (PwrIndx) score for India is 0.1184, significantly lower than Pakistan’s 0.2513-a lower score indicates greater military power.
This disparity reflects India’s larger population, superior resources, and extensive modernization efforts.
Manpower and Personnel
India:
Active Military Personnel: 1,455,550
Reserve Personnel: 1,155,000
Paramilitary Forces: 2,527,000
Pakistan:
Active Military Personnel: 654,000
Reserve Personnel: 550,000
Paramilitary Forces: 500,000
India’s much larger population allows it to maintain a military force more than twice the size of Pakistan’s in all categories, providing a significant advantage in any prolonged conflict.
Defense Budgets
India:
Annual Defense Budget: $75–79 billion
Pakistan:
Annual Defense Budget: $7.6–7.7 billion
India’s defense budget is almost ten times larger than Pakistan’s, enabling greater investment in advanced technology, equipment modernization, and personnel training.
Land Forces
Tanks:
India: 4,201
Pakistan: 2,627
Armored Vehicles:
India: 148,594
Pakistan: 17,516
Artillery:
India: 3,975 towed artillery units
Pakistan: Outnumbers India in mobile rocket launchers (600 vs. 264)
India’s ground forces are not only larger but also better equipped with advanced systems like the T-90 Bhishma and Arjun tanks, BrahMos missiles, and the Pinaka rocket system.
Air Power
Total Aircraft:
India: 2,229
Pakistan: 1,399
Fighter Jets:
India: 513
Pakistan: 328
Attack Helicopters:
India: 80
Pakistan: 57
India’s air force is both larger and more technologically advanced, with a diverse fleet that includes Su-30 MKI, Mirage 2000, and indigenously developed Tejas fighters. Pakistan’s air force, while capable, relies heavily on the JF-17 Thunder (co-developed with China) and F-16s from the United States.
Total Naval Assets:
India: 293
Pakistan: 121
Aircraft Carriers:
India: 2
Pakistan: 0
Submarines:
India: 18
Pakistan: 8
Destroyers:
India: 13
Pakistan: 0
India’s navy is significantly more powerful, with a blue-water capability that allows it to project power far beyond its shores. Pakistan’s navy is smaller and primarily focused on coastal defense.
Nuclear Capabilities
Both countries are nuclear-armed states, with India possessing approximately 180 nuclear warheads and Pakistan around 170. While both have credible deterrents, India’s nuclear triad (land, air, and sea-based delivery systems) is more robust, enhancing its second-strike capability.
Technological and Strategic Factors
India’s focus on indigenous defense production, modernization, and self-reliance has further solidified its military edge. The country’s investments in missile defense, cyber capabilities, and space-based assets outpace those of Pakistan. However, Pakistan’s military is known for its professionalism, combat experience, and efficient use of limited resources.
Operational Realities and Doctrines
While India holds clear quantitative and qualitative advantages, Pakistan’s military maintains a high level of readiness, especially along the border regions. Its doctrine emphasizes rapid mobilization and asymmetric tactics, leveraging geography and alliances (notably with China) to offset India’s superiority.
Conclusion
Based on every major metric-manpower, equipment, defense spending, and global rankings-India’s military is significantly stronger than Pakistan’s in 2025. India’s armed forces outmatch Pakistan across land, air, and sea, supported by a much larger budget and a sustained modernization drive. However, Pakistan’s military remains a formidable force, capable of defending its territory and deterring aggression, particularly through its nuclear arsenal and strategic alliances.
While numbers and technology favor India, the complexities of military power-morale, leadership, geography, and international dynamics-mean that outright superiority does not guarantee easy victory in any conflict. The balance of power, though tilted toward India, continues to be shaped by the broader strategic context of South Asia
