India Pakistan Defence Spending
Amid escalating cross-border tensions between India and Pakistan after the Pahalgam terrorist attack, lets take a brief look at their defence capabilities and spending on military.
India, Pakistan’s Military Power: How Much Do They Really Spend, Who’s More Powerful?
India and Pakistan’s strained ties have long influenced how both nations allocate funds for defense. Check how military spending reflects deeper geopolitical, economic and strategic choices.
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Defence Budget
According to the Stockholm International Peace Research Institute's defence expenditure database, in 2024, India spent $86.1 billion on its defence, ranking fifth highest globally, after the United States, China, Russia, and Germany. On the other hand, Pakistan's defence expenditure stood at just $10.2 billion.
India’s Defense Expenditure
In line with Prime Minister Narendra Modi's vision of 'Viksit Bharat @ 2047' and 'Aatmanirbhar' Armed Forces, the Union Budget for FY26 allocated Rs 6.81 lakh crore to the Ministry of Defence (MoD). This is a 9.53% increase over the FY 2024-25 estimate and accounts for 13.45% of the total Union Budget, the highest among all ministries.
Pakistan Defense Budget
Pakistan's defence budget for the fiscal year 2025–26 is projected to be about 2.28 lakh crore in Pakistani Rupee as per local media reports, reflecting a 7.49% increase over the previous year's allocation of 2.122 trillion lakh crore (Pakistani Rupee).
Military Manpower Comparison
India boasts 1.45 million active military personnel, significantly outnumbering Pakistan’s 654,000, according to the Global Firepower Index.
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Air Power Strength
India operates 2,229 aircraft, including 513 fighters and 130 attack aircraft. In contrast, Pakistan fields 1,399 aircraft with 328 fighters.
X/@SpokespersonMoD
Land Systems Overview
India possesses 4,201 tanks and nearly 149,000 armored vehicles, dwarfing Pakistan’s 2,627 tanks and 17,500 armored units. However, Pakistan leads in mobile rocket systems with 600 compared to India’s 264.
Strategic Priorities
Analysts say Pakistan's defense spending strategy is shaped by a combination of regional security concerns and economic limitations. The country continues to focus on maintaining a credible defense posture, particularly through its nuclear and missile capabilities, amid the challenges posed by economic constraints and international scrutiny.
Operation Sindoor
India launched Operation Sindoor against Pakistan in response to the Pahalgam attack, in which 26 civilians were killed by terrorists, leading to intensified cross-border conflicts. The operation has escalated into a cross-border confrontation.
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