Indian army versus Pakistan: who will win?
On February 27, another armed clash between India and Pakistan took place, ending in a mutual downing of aircraft. To date, there have already been 3 official wars between the two rival countries, two “unrecognized” and hundreds of minor border conflicts. A special degree of tension is added to the fact that Islamabad and New Delhi have a nuclear arsenal. Who will prevail in the event of the outbreak of a full-scale war, and for whom to “root” for Russia?
The conflict between India and Pakistan was laid by the British, leaving their former colony in 1947. Recall that both of these states were previously part of British India. Recognizing the gigantic potential of these territories, Britain chose to pit them together, voluntarily drawing a new border. Now, instead of presenting scores to London, New Delhi and Islamabad are endlessly fighting each other under the slogan “KashmirNASH”.
During the competition with the United States, Moscow was forced to support India, and Washington - Pakistan, using it as the rear for the war against Soviet troops in Afghanistan. After the collapse of the USSR, everything changed. Now there are already American troops in Afghanistan, and US support for Pakistan has virtually ceased. Instead, Washington relied on India, a country with huge potential for economic growth, a population, strong armed forces and a navy, as a counterweight to China, its main rival in the region. Beijing, in turn, took Pakistan under its wing. No wonder the main opponents of the Indian army are Pakistani and PLA.
What are the armed forces that New Delhi and Islamabad have?
Indian army
The Indian Armed Forces personnel is 1 in formation and 359 in reserve. Number of combat equipment impressive: 3097 tanks (most of which are modern T-90s), BMPs - 2, armored personnel carriers - 500, guns - 336, multi-purpose helicopters - 9.
The Indian Air Force has 849 aircraft, of which 561 and 339 are training fighter-bombers. Indian aviation consists of Soviet, Russian, French and own-made winged aircraft.
The Indian Navy consists of 28 ships, including the Vikramaditya aircraft carrier (formerly Admiral Gorshkov), 13 frigates, 14 submarines, 10 landing ships and three dozen support ships.
In addition, New Delhi has, according to various sources, from 90 to 110 nuclear charges and the ability to produce an additional 50 to 90 pieces.
Pakistan army
She clearly looks “thinner” compared to the main enemy, her strength is only 653 troops. In terms of the number of vehicles, it is somewhat inferior to the Indian, and in some ways superior: tanks - 800 2, armored personnel carriers - 461 1, guns - 605 4, helicopters - 472.
The Pakistani Air Force does not reach the Indian level: there are only 425 aircraft, most of which are outdated Chinese Chengdu and American F-16s. They lack modern UAVs, front-line bombers and AWACS aircraft.
The Pakistani Navy is also very modest: frigates - 10, patrol ships - 17, submarines - 8, landing ships - 8, support vessels - 9.
According to various estimates, the nuclear arsenal possessed by Islamabad can be from 100 to 130 warheads.
Thus, the advantages in the event of a full-scale clash are clearly on the side of India. Of particular concern is the possibility of parties using nuclear weapons. What in this situation remains to do the Russian Federation?
We generally believe that India is our friend and ally, but this is not entirely true, given the special influence of the United States on New Delhi. It should also be recognized that further strengthening of China will not be in Russia's interests. The most rational seems to be emphasized neutrality in this protracted geopolitical conflict, where China and the United States stand behind its participants, with an increase in arms supplies to both Pakistan and India.
The conflict between India and Pakistan was laid by the British, leaving their former colony in 1947. Recall that both of these states were previously part of British India. Recognizing the gigantic potential of these territories, Britain chose to pit them together, voluntarily drawing a new border. Now, instead of presenting scores to London, New Delhi and Islamabad are endlessly fighting each other under the slogan “KashmirNASH”.
During the competition with the United States, Moscow was forced to support India, and Washington - Pakistan, using it as the rear for the war against Soviet troops in Afghanistan. After the collapse of the USSR, everything changed. Now there are already American troops in Afghanistan, and US support for Pakistan has virtually ceased. Instead, Washington relied on India, a country with huge potential for economic growth, a population, strong armed forces and a navy, as a counterweight to China, its main rival in the region. Beijing, in turn, took Pakistan under its wing. No wonder the main opponents of the Indian army are Pakistani and PLA.
What are the armed forces that New Delhi and Islamabad have?
Indian army
The Indian Armed Forces personnel is 1 in formation and 359 in reserve. Number of combat equipment impressive: 3097 tanks (most of which are modern T-90s), BMPs - 2, armored personnel carriers - 500, guns - 336, multi-purpose helicopters - 9.
The Indian Air Force has 849 aircraft, of which 561 and 339 are training fighter-bombers. Indian aviation consists of Soviet, Russian, French and own-made winged aircraft.
The Indian Navy consists of 28 ships, including the Vikramaditya aircraft carrier (formerly Admiral Gorshkov), 13 frigates, 14 submarines, 10 landing ships and three dozen support ships.
In addition, New Delhi has, according to various sources, from 90 to 110 nuclear charges and the ability to produce an additional 50 to 90 pieces.
Pakistan army
She clearly looks “thinner” compared to the main enemy, her strength is only 653 troops. In terms of the number of vehicles, it is somewhat inferior to the Indian, and in some ways superior: tanks - 800 2, armored personnel carriers - 461 1, guns - 605 4, helicopters - 472.
The Pakistani Air Force does not reach the Indian level: there are only 425 aircraft, most of which are outdated Chinese Chengdu and American F-16s. They lack modern UAVs, front-line bombers and AWACS aircraft.
The Pakistani Navy is also very modest: frigates - 10, patrol ships - 17, submarines - 8, landing ships - 8, support vessels - 9.
According to various estimates, the nuclear arsenal possessed by Islamabad can be from 100 to 130 warheads.
Thus, the advantages in the event of a full-scale clash are clearly on the side of India. Of particular concern is the possibility of parties using nuclear weapons. What in this situation remains to do the Russian Federation?
We generally believe that India is our friend and ally, but this is not entirely true, given the special influence of the United States on New Delhi. It should also be recognized that further strengthening of China will not be in Russia's interests. The most rational seems to be emphasized neutrality in this protracted geopolitical conflict, where China and the United States stand behind its participants, with an increase in arms supplies to both Pakistan and India.
Information