A comparison of India and Pakistan’s armies and nuclear arsenals

WorldPolitics
8 May 2025 • 8:47 PM MYT
The Independent
The Independent

The world’s most free-thinking newspaper

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  • The targeted cross-border strikes between India and Pakistan have raised concerns about a potential war between the nuclear-armed neighbours.
  • India's military is significantly larger than Pakistan's, ranked fourth globally compared to Pakistan's twelfth position by think tank Global Firepower.
  • India's defence spending is substantially higher than Pakistan's, and it possesses more tanks and aircraft.
  • Both countries have similar nuclear capabilities, with India possessing an estimated 172 warheads and Pakistan around 170.
  • While India has a military advantage, a prolonged conflict would strain both nations and potentially expose India to risks from China.

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