India vs Pakistan 2025: Land Warfare, Tanks, Armored Vehicles
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India vs Pakistan 2025: Land Warfare, Tanks, Armored Vehicles & Artillery Detailed Comparison | The Dainik
India vs Pakistan 2025: Land Warfare, Tanks, Armored Vehicles & Artillery Detailed Comparison
Published: Saturday, May 10, 2025 | By The Dainik News Team
In 2025, as India and Pakistan face renewed border tensions, their land warfare capabilities-tanks, armored vehicles, and artillery-are under unprecedented scrutiny. Here’s a comprehensive, data-driven breakdown of both nations’ ground forces, battlefield technology, and strategic implications.
Land Warfare: At a Glance
Category
India 🇮🇳
Pakistan 🇵🇰
Tank Fleet
4,201
2,627
Armored Vehicles
148,594
17,516
Self-Propelled Artillery
100
662
Towed Artillery
3,975
2,629
Rocket Projectors/MLRS
264
600
Total Artillery Pieces
11,225
4,619
Tank Forces: Backbone of Mechanized Warfare
India’s Tank Arsenal
T-90 Bhishma: India’s main battle tank (MBT), Russian-origin, over 1,200 in service. Features advanced fire control, ERA armor, and night-fighting capabilities.
Arjun Mk1/Mk1A: Indigenous MBT, 124 in service (Mk1) and 118 (Mk1A ordered). High firepower, composite armor, digital battlefield management.
T-72 Ajeya: Soviet legacy MBT, over 2,000 in service, being gradually replaced by T-90s and Arjuns.
BMP-2 Sarath: Infantry fighting vehicle (IFV), over 2,000 in service, produced in India under license.
Pakistan’s Tank Arsenal
Al Khalid-1: Chinese-Pakistani MBT, ~600 in service. 125mm smoothbore gun, composite armor, digital fire control.
VT-4: Modern Chinese MBT, ~300 in service, advanced protection and electronics.
T-80UD: Ukrainian-origin MBT, ~320 in service, known for mobility and firepower.
Al-Zarrar: Upgraded Chinese Type-59, ~500 in service, cost-effective but less advanced than Indian MBTs.
Armored Vehicles: Mobility and Protection
India: 148,594 armored vehicles, including APCs, IFVs, MRAPs, and support vehicles-three times Pakistan’s number. Extensive indigenous production (e.g., Tata Kestrel, Mahindra ALSV).
Pakistan: 17,516 armored vehicles, mostly Chinese-origin APCs and IFVs, including Type-85, Talha, and Saad variants.
India’s numerical edge allows for greater operational flexibility, rapid troop movement, and better logistics in high-intensity conflict[2][4][6][8].
Artillery: Firepower on the Battlefield
Artillery Type
India 🇮🇳
Pakistan 🇵🇰
Self-Propelled Artillery
100 (K9 Vajra, Abhay SPH)
662 (M109A5, SH-15, others)
Towed Artillery
3,975 (Dhanush, FH77B, M-46, others)
2,629 (M198, M114, others)
Rocket Projectors/MLRS
264 (Pinaka, BM-21 Grad, Smerch)
600 (A-100, KRL-122, Nasr)
Total Artillery Pieces
11,225
4,619
India’s K9 Vajra-T: Modern 155mm self-propelled howitzer, range 40+ km, high mobility, produced in collaboration with South Korea.
Pakistan’s M109A5: US-origin 155mm SPH, range 25–30 km, backbone of Pakistan’s self-propelled artillery fleet.
Rocket Artillery: India’s Pinaka and Smerch MLRS provide area saturation and deep-strike capability. Pakistan’s A-100 and Nasr systems offer rapid, mobile firepower.
India’s overall artillery count is more than double Pakistan’s, but Pakistan’s higher number of self-propelled and rocket artillery gives it an edge in rapid, mobile fire support[2][4][6][7][8][9].
Battlefield Technology & Air Defence
India: Advanced S-400 Triumf and Barak-8 for long-range air defense; Tunguska and Akash for tactical protection. Extensive use of drones for ISR and precision strikes.
Pakistan: HQ-9/P (range up to 125 km) and LY-80/LY-80EV (up to 70 km) for layered air defense. Chinese-origin drones and loitering munitions for battlefield surveillance and attack.
Both nations are rapidly integrating AI, electronic warfare, and network-centric operations into their land warfare doctrines.
Expert Analysis: Strengths and Weaknesses
India’s Strengths: Superior tank and armored vehicle numbers, modern artillery, indigenous production, and robust logistics. Ability to sustain high-intensity, long-duration ground operations.
Pakistan’s Strengths: More self-propelled and rocket artillery for rapid response, strong defensive doctrine, and experience in hybrid warfare. Heavy reliance on Chinese technology for modernization.
Challenges: Pakistan faces economic and industrial constraints; India’s large inventory includes many older platforms needing upgrades.
Summary Table: India vs Pakistan Land Warfare (2025)
Category
India 🇮🇳
Pakistan 🇵🇰
Tank Fleet
4,201
2,627
Armored Vehicles
148,594
17,516
Self-Propelled Artillery
100
662
Towed Artillery
3,975
2,629
Rocket Projectors/MLRS
264
600
Total Artillery Pieces
11,225
4,619
Conclusion
India’s dominance in tanks, armored vehicles, and overall artillery gives it a decisive edge in conventional land warfare, backed by a robust defense industry and logistics. Pakistan’s strength in self-propelled and rocket artillery enhances its rapid strike capabilities, but economic and industrial constraints limit its ability to match India’s scale. As both nations modernize and adapt to new threats, the balance of power on the ground will remain a central factor in South Asian security.
