Rafales, Brahmos, INS: What are India's defence capabilities if it is to strike Pakistan ?
PTC News Desk: Twenty-six civilians—mostly tourists—lost their lives in a brutal daytime attack near Pahalgam, a picturesque town in Jammu and Kashmir. It marked the deadliest terrorist incident since the 2019 Pulwama attack. A group known as The Resistance Front (TRF), allegedly supported by Pakistan-based Lashkar-e-Taiba, has claimed responsibility.
According to reports, India is now far better equipped to target terrorist infrastructure in Pakistan than it was during the 2019 Balakot air strikes. This improvement is credited to significant advancements in India's air strike capabilities and strategic military assets.
India has deployed the S-400 air defence system, which can detect and intercept threats from great distances. The armed forces have also integrated loitering munitions into their arsenal, allowing them to hover over contested areas and destroy targets with high precision, providing greater tactical flexibility.
Indian Armed Forces:
The Indian Army forms the backbone of India’s defence, especially in terms of land warfare and border defence. The inventory includes (approximate figures):
• Tanks: 4,201 (T-90 Bhishma, Arjun, and other models)
• Armoured vehicles: 148,050
• Artillery: 4,204 towed artillery guns
• Rocket projectors: 1,338 units
• Self-propelled artillery systems: 100 units
Aerial Supremacy:
In terms of air power, India operates 2,229 aircraft, including 513 fighter jets, while Pakistan has 1,399 aircraft and 328 fighters. India also maintains a larger helicopter fleet, with 899 helicopters compared to Pakistan’s 373, and boasts stronger aerial refuelling capabilities with six tankers versus Pakistan’s four.
Indian Navy
The Indian Navy has evolved into a true blue-water force, capable of extended operations beyond regional waters. Its current fleet includes:
• Total warships: 293
• Aircraft carriers: 2 (INS Vikramaditya and INS Vikrant)
• Submarines: 18
• Destroyers: 13
• Frigates: 13
• Corvettes: 23
- With inputs from agencies
