India vs Pakistan Air Force 2025: Detailed Comparison
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India vs Pakistan Air Force 2025: Detailed Comparison of Fighter Jets and Capabilities | The Dainik
India vs Pakistan Air Force 2025: Detailed Comparison of Fighter Jets and Capabilities
Published: Saturday, May 10, 2025 | By The Dainik News Team
In 2025, the India-Pakistan air force rivalry is at the heart of South Asia’s security landscape. Here’s a comprehensive, up-to-date comparison of both countries’ air power, with a focus on fighter jets, their technical specs, and strategic roles.
Air Force Size and Structure
Airpower Category
India 🇮🇳
Pakistan 🇵🇰
Total Aircraft
2,229
1,399
Fighter Aircraft
513
328
Dedicated Attack Aircraft
130
90
Transports
270
64
Trainers
351
565
Special-Mission Aircraft
74
27
Aerial Tankers
6
4
Helicopters
899
373
Attack Helicopters
80
57
Key Fighter Jets: India
Aircraft
Origin
Role
Top Speed
Range
Weapons
Special Features
Rafale
France
Multirole, Air Superiority
Mach 1.8 (2,222 km/h)
3,700 km (ferry)
Meteor, MICA, SCALP, Hammer
4.5 Gen, AESA radar, advanced EW, BVR missiles
Su-30MKI
Russia/India
Multirole, Air Superiority
Mach 2.0 (2,120 km/h)
3,000 km (ferry)
R-77, R-73, BrahMos, Kh-59
Supermaneuverable, thrust vectoring, heavy payload
Mirage 2000
France
Multirole, Strike
Mach 2.2 (2,336 km/h)
1,550 km (combat)
Magic II, MICA, LGBs
Precision strike, nuclear delivery
MiG-29UPG
Russia
Multirole, Air Superiority
Mach 2.25 (2,400 km/h)
1,500 km (combat)
R-77, R-73, LGBs
Upgraded avionics, BVR missiles
HAL Tejas
India
Light Multirole
Mach 1.6 (2,205 km/h)
1,850 km (ferry)
Derby, Python-5, LGBs
Indigenous, digital FBW, glass cockpit
Jaguar
UK/France
Strike, Ground Attack
Mach 1.6 (1,700 km/h)
3,500 km (ferry)
Bombs, rockets, LGBs
Deep penetration strike
Key Fighter Jets: Pakistan
Aircraft
Origin
Role
Top Speed
Range
Weapons
Special Features
JF-17 Thunder (Block III)
China/Pakistan
Multirole, Air Superiority
Mach 1.6 (1,960 km/h)
2,037 km (ferry)
PL-15, PL-10, C-802AK, LGBs
4.5 Gen, AESA radar, HMD, BVR missiles
J-10C
China
Multirole, Air Superiority
Mach 2.0 (2,400 km/h)
1,850 km (combat)
PL-15, PL-10, LGBs
AESA radar, supermaneuverable, advanced EW
F-16A/B Block 15/MLU
USA
Multirole, Strike
Mach 2.0 (2,120 km/h)
4,220 km (ferry)
AIM-120, AIM-9, LGBs
BVR, precision strike, proven in combat
Mirage III/V
France
Strike, Multirole
Mach 2.2 (2,350 km/h)
2,400 km (ferry)
R.530, LGBs
Deep strike, nuclear delivery
F-7PG
China
Interceptor
Mach 2.0 (2,200 km/h)
2,000 km (ferry)
PL-5, PL-7
Light, agile, older gen
Technical Highlights and Expert Analysis
India’s Rafale is widely considered the region’s most advanced fighter, with Meteor BVR missiles, AESA radar, and advanced electronic warfare. The Su-30MKI, India’s backbone, offers heavy payload and supermaneuverability.
Pakistan’s JF-17 Block III introduces AESA radar, HMD, and PL-15 BVR missiles, closing the gap with 4.5-gen fighters. The J-10C, newly inducted, is a modern, agile multirole jet with advanced avionics and weapons.
F-16s remain the PAF’s most proven Western-origin platform, with BVR and precision strike capability.
India’s Tejas is indigenous and modern, but its deployment remains limited compared to Su-30MKI and Rafale.
India’s numerical superiority (over 500 fighters vs. Pakistan’s 328) is matched by a technological edge in most categories, but Pakistan’s rapid modernization with Chinese collaboration is narrowing the qualitative gap.
Recent Encounters and Strategic Trends
The 2019 Balakot skirmish was the most recent high-profile dogfight, with both sides claiming victories. In 2025, the risk of air clashes remains high, especially with new platforms like Rafale and J-10C facing off. Experts note that India would need to allocate some air assets to its eastern border with China in a two-front scenario, while Pakistan could concentrate its entire fleet on the western front[2][3][5].
“The Indian Air Force enjoys numerical and technological superiority, but the PAF’s focus on pilot training and rapid modernization ensures it remains a formidable adversary.” - Airforce Technology, 2025
