India has launched military strikes against Pakistan and has brought the two nuclear armed neighbors on the edge of a total war.
The flare-up means that two of the largest soldiers in the region are again in face-to-face conflict.
The stand-off Pits India, a global defense giant, against a country that is perhaps much smaller, but is still heavily militarized and has a considerable part of his resources devoted to the preparation for war.
As the world's most densely populated nation, India has one of the largest soldiers, with around 1.5 million active service personnel, including 1.2 million in the army, 60,000 in the navy and 127,000 in the Air Force. India also has 1.6 million-strong paramilitary troops and a reserve of 1.1 million.
The country is a heavyweight of the defense. Defense spending reached £ 58 billion ($ 77.4 billion) in 2024, the second highest edition in Asia after China.
Members of the National Cadet Corps Train in Kolkata, India – Nurphoto/Sudipta Das
In the meantime, the Pakistani population is a fifth of the size and the country has been entangled in an economic crisis for years.
Last year it was estimated that Pakistan's defense budget was a 10th of that of the eastern neighbor.
Pakistan has been heavily militarized to ward off Indian control, which is at the expense of his democracy.
The army carries out considerable control over the civilian government, with Gen Syed Asim Munir, the head of the army, generally seen as the most powerful man in the country.
While India's army is increasingly being used to face China, Pakistan has built up a defense attitude and doctrine almost completely around India.
Pakistan Velt a total of around 660,000 active service personnel, including 560,000 in the army, 23,800 at the Navy and 70,000 at the Air Force. It also has 280,000-headed paramilitary forces, according to the International Institute for Strategic Studies.
In limited scholarships, such as those in the last 24 hours, Pakistan can beat his weight, although analysts say that the numerical and economic superiority of Delhi could bear very quickly in a full war.
In recent years, Pakistan has leaned heavily for China for his arms and shifts away from more expensive Western suppliers.
India has considerable amounts of equipment from Russia, but has started buying more from France and America.
On the battlefield it is assumed that India has around 3,700 main combat tanks, including Arjun, T-72 and T-90 models.
Smoke rises after a rocket attack by India against a target in Pakistan – Punit Paranjpe/AFP
Pakistan has around 2500, including Al-Khalid, T-80, T-54/55, Type-59/Al Zarrar, Type-69 and Type 85 models.
Every country also has an important air force. India has a mixture, including Dassault Rafale Fighters, Sukhoi SU-30s and MIG-29S, MIG-27S and MIG-21s.
Pakistan has Chinese J-10s and JF-17s, as well as American F-16s, Mirage 3S and Mirage 5S.
The two countries may be closer to parity in their nuclear weapons.
An explosion in the West Indian state of Rajasthan during an air exercise – Manish Swarup/AP
India performed its first nuclear test in 1974 and Pakistan became a nuclear energy in 1998.
India has never explained the size of its nuclear armament, but one assessment places the stock of the country at 160 nuclear core heads, according to the Center for Arms Control and Nuclear Proliferation.
Other reports suggest that India has no less than 170. These can be used in ballistic missiles on land, submarine launched rockets and aircraft with nuclear bombs and rockets.
Pakistan is also an estimated 170 core heads and nuclear concise ballistic rockets from different series. The country can also launch the weapons of aircraft. In 2017, Pakistan tested a rocket launched by the submarine, although this is not yet thought that it is ready for use.
Even a small nuclear exchange between India and Pakistan could kill 20 million people in a week according to the Center for Arms Control and Nuclear Proliferation.
Expand your horizon with award -winning British journalism. Try De Telegraaf for free for 1 month with unlimited access to our award -winning website, exclusive app, money -saving offers and more.
