India vs. Pakistan: 2025 Military Power Rankings Place India at 4th, Pakistan at 12th
Hyderabad, May 14, 2025: In the 2025 global military power rankings, India secures the fourth position among 145 countries, significantly outpacing Pakistan, which ranks 12th, according to the ‘Global Fire Power’ website. The data highlights India’s superior military capabilities compared to its neighbor, reinforcing its status as a formidable force on the global stage.
India’s Tri-Service Military Strength
India’s armed forces boast approximately 2.2 million personnel. The Indian Army is equipped with 4,201 battle tanks, 150,000 armored vehicles, 100 self-propelled artillery units, 3,975 towed artillery units, and 264 multi-barrel rocket artillery systems. The Indian Air Force, with 310,000 personnel, operates 2,229 aircraft, including 513 fighter jets, 130 attack aircraft, 270 transport aircraft, 351 trainer aircraft, and six tanker fleet aircraft. Additionally, the armed forces maintain 899 helicopters, of which 80 are attack helicopters.
The Indian Navy, with 142,000 sailors, commands 293 vessels, including two aircraft carriers, 13 destroyers, 14 frigates, 18 submarines, and 18 corvettes. India’s military infrastructure includes 311 airports and 56 ports under its jurisdiction.
Pakistan’s Military Capabilities
Pakistan’s military comprises around 1.311 million personnel, including 124,000 naval personnel and 78,000 air force personnel. The Pakistan Air Force operates 1,399 aircraft, with 328 fighter jets, 90 attack aircraft, 64 transport aircraft, 565 trainers, four tanker fleets, and 373 helicopters, including 57 attack helicopters. The Pakistan Army is equipped with 2,627 tanks, 662 self-propelled artillery units, 2,629 towed artillery units, and 600 multi-barrel artillery systems. The Pakistan Navy operates 121 warships, including nine frigates, nine corvettes, eight submarines, and 69 patrol vessels. Pakistan’s military infrastructure includes 116 airports, three ports, and 60 merchant marine fleets.
Nuclear Arsenal
India possesses 172 nuclear warheads, while Pakistan has 170, though the exact number of deployed warheads for both nations remains unclear. According to Global Fire Power, India focuses on developing long-range weapons capable of targeting distant objectives, including China, while Pakistan prioritizes expanding its nuclear arsenal. Neighboring China, ranking third globally, holds between 410 and 500 nuclear warheads.
Drone Capabilities
Both India and Pakistan are rapidly expanding their drone capabilities. Defense expert Rahul Bedi notes that India aims to increase its drone fleet to around 5,000 within the next two to four years. In October 2024, India signed a $3.5 billion deal with the United States to acquire Predator drones, considered among the world’s most advanced, along with $500 million worth of bombs and laser-guided missiles for precision strikes.
Pakistan, while possessing fewer drones than India, operates 10 to 11 types with varying capabilities. It imports drones from Turkey (Bayraktar TB2 and Akinci), China (Wing Loong 2 and CH-4), Germany, and Italy, and manufactures indigenous models like Burraq and Shahpar.
Conclusion
The 2025 Global Fire Power rankings underscore India’s military dominance, significantly surpassing Pakistan in manpower, equipment, and technological advancements. With a robust nuclear arsenal, expanding drone capabilities, and a well-equipped tri-service force, India solidifies its position as a global military powerhouse. Pakistan, despite efforts to bolster its forces, lags in resources and technological sophistication, highlighting a clear gap in military strength between the two nations.
