In the early hours of May 7, India launched Operation Sindoor, a coordinated strike by its armed forces targeting terror bases in Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (PoK). The operation showcased India’s advanced military arsenal, combining long-range precision weapons with significant air power.
As tensions rise over the risk of military escalation, a comparison between India and Pakistan’s military strength reveals clear gaps. While both countries maintain sizable air forces, it’s in drone capability and naval assets where India pulls far ahead.
According to data from SIPRI, India’s military fleet includes far more aircraft than Pakistan. But even more striking is the gap in drone power. By 2024, India’s inventory of medium-altitude, long-endurance (MALE) drones was nearly three times larger than Pakistan’s. Data from the International Centre for Peace Studies (ICPS) shows that India operates around 200 MALE drones, compared to Pakistan’s 60.