Unfortunately India and Pakistan had adversarial
relations since sixty years. After the Mumbai
carnage Pakistan is under threat of pre-emptive
strikes. Fourth Indo-Pakistan war could be
triggered by another terrorist attack anywhere
in India. This is a dangerous scenario. India
and Pakistan have fought three wars, and war
drums for the fourth war are getting louder. It
is in order therefore to comprehend Indian
military capabilities, and Pakistan's ability to
defend itself. Defense capability is an
interplay of economic and military potential.
Indian economy is booming, and its GDP growth is
in double digits. The global recession has
impacted Indian economy, but its defense
capability remains intact. Military power and
capabilities are sustained by economic and
industrial potential. Geography, demography,
population, oil resources and reserves,
industrial capability including defense
production, dollar reserves, self reliance,
education, quality of manpower and leadership
have a bearing on military power. Seven lakh
Indian troops are tied down in Jammu and
Kashmir. India has over one hundred billion
dollar reserves. The West, Israel and Russia are
India's weapon suppliers.
Indian Army has eighteen Corps with 34 Divisions
including four Rapid Action Divisions, which
would spear head ground offensives. Pakistan
Army has ten Corps and twenty five divisions.
Indian Army has eighteen Infantry, ten Mountain,
three Armored, and two Artillery Divisions.
Besides it has five Infantry, one parachute,
thirteen Air Defense, and four Engineering
Brigades, designated as independent formations.
In addition there are two Air Defense Groups,
and fourteen Army Aviation Helicopter units.
This is a sizeable force, capable of launching
major offensives from several fronts. The
decentralized command structure will be an
advantage, as compared to Pakistan's centralized
Army command organization. Pakistan Army has an
active force of 620,000 well trained personnel,
with 528000 reservists, and 150000 para-military
troops. Pakistan armed forces are seventh
largest in the world. Pakistan Army's doctrine
of "Offensive Defense", evolved by General Mirza
Aslam Beg was put to test in 1989 in Exercise
Zarb-e Momin. The doctrine is to launch a
sizeable offensive into enemy territory, rather
than wait for enemy strikes or attacks. In case
of Indian land offensive Pakistan Army and Air
Force will respond with land and air offensives
to gain and hold enemy territory. Before
embarking on further offensive, gains shall be
consolidated. In 1990 the Central Corps of
Reserves was created to fight in the desert
sectors , where enemy land offensives are
expected. These dual capable formations trained
for offensive and holding actions are fully
mechanized.
Pakistan Army has ten Corps including the newly
formed Strategic Corps. The Army has twenty six
divisions (eight less than India). Two more
divisions were raised as Corps reserves for V
and XXXI Corps. Pakistan Army has two armored
divisions, and ten independent armored brigades.
Presently one hundred thousand troops are
stationed on the Pak Afghan border to fight
terror. Special Service Group-SSG comprises two
airborne Brigades i.e. six battalions. Pakistan
Army has 360 helicopters, over two thousand
heavy guns, and 3000 APC's. Its main anti-tank
weapons are Tow, Tow Mk II, Bakter Shiken and
FGM 148 ATGM. The Army Air Defence Command has
S.A- 7 Grail, General Dynamics FIM-92 Stinger,
GD FIM Red Eye, and ANZA Mk-I, Mk-II, Mk-III and
HQ 2 B surface ti air missiles. Radar controlled
Oerlikon is the standard Ack Ack weapon system.
The ballistic missile inventory of the Army is
substantial. It comprises Ghauri III and Shaheen
III IRB'S; medium range Ghauri I and II and
Shaheen II, and short range Hatf I- B, Abdali,
Ghaznavi, Shaheen I and M -11 missiles. All the
ballistic missiles can carry nuclear war heads.
Nuclear and conventional weapon capable Babur
Cruise missile is the new addition to Pakistan's
strategic weapon inventory. Number of ballistic
missiles and war heads are almost the same as
India has. So there is a parity in nuclear
weapons, which is a deterrent.
Indian armor is of Russian origin. Out of 2295
Indian Army's Main Battle tanks, 2235 are of
Russian origin. The main battle tanks are; 310
T-90-S Bishsma's (300 are on order), 1925 T-72M
Ajeya's.. The T-90 and the T-72 have 125 mm
smooth barrel guns. T-72 though old is the
backbone of Indian Armor Corp's. 268 Ajeya's
have been upgraded with Israeli Elbit thermal
imaging systems. 1000 T-72 MBT's are awaiting
up-gradation. There have been several instances
of T-72's gun barrel bursting. 124 Indian made
Arjun (heavy 56 ton) MBT are on order. Sixty
Arjun's are in operational service. Arjun's
engine overheating problem has not been solved.
Arjun has a 120 mm gun, but is unfit or desert
operations.
Pakistan Army is equally strong in armor,
capable of giving a fitting response to any
Indian military adventure. Main Battle tanks
Al-Khalid and Al-Zarrar are the backbone of
Pakistan's armor Corp's. Both are Pakistan made.
Pakistan's tank armory comprises :five hundred
Al-Khalid MBT's; 320 Al-Zarrar type 85 II MBT's,
500 Al-Zarrar MBT's; 450 79II AP (Chinese type
81 upgrade, and 570 T-80 UD MBT of Ukranian
make. In addition Pakistan has 880 Type 59,
which were procured from China in 1970.This
makes a total of three thousand six hundred and
twenty tanks. All Pakistani MBT's except T-59's
have 125 mm smooth barrel guns. Indian armor
offensives in Kashmir, Punjab, and Sind would be
effectively challenged by Pakistani armor and
mechanized formations, depending on PAF's
ability to keep the skies over the battle areas
clear of Indian Air Force. India's modern air
defense system has Israeli Arrow anti-missile
missiles, and 90,000 surface to air missiles-SAM's.
India has one hundred nuclear armed ballistic
missiles (Agni-1 and Agni II), and Brahmos the
new supersonic cruise missile. Indian Army is
well trained, equipped and highly professional,
and so is Pakistan Army.
Air power is likely to play a key, if not a
decisive role in any future major or minor
India-Pakistan armed conflict. The aim of Indian
pre-emptive strikes will be maximum destruction
by surprise air attacks, combined with shock
commando action. A possibe scenario is;
intensive bombing of the target to be followed
by attacks by armed helicopters and ground
assault by heliborne Commandoes. An overview of
Indian Air Force and Pakistan Air Force will
help comprehension of IAF's offensive
capabilities, and defensive capabilities of
Pakistan Air Force. Indian Air Force has 3000
aircraft including training, transport,
helicopters and 800-1000 combat air craft, which
operate from sixty air bases, including Farkhor
airbase in Tajikistan.. Six hundred IAF's strike
and air defense fighters are expected to be
operational. Pakistan Air Force has 630
aircraft, which include 530 combat aircraft,
with 400 operational at any time. In 1996 India
signed an agreement with Russia for the purchase
of 90 Su 30 Mk-1 multi-role fighter-bombers. In
2004 a multi-billion licence was signed for
building additional 140. 240 Su30-Mk-1's were
ordered, 120 are already in service. With a
maximum speed of Mach 2.3 and range of 8000 Km
with refueling and ability to carry tons of
conventional munitions and nuclear weapons, it
is a lethal and menacing weapon system for the
strike and interception role. Other IAF's
advanced strike and combat aircraft are: 51
Mirage-2000 (of Kargil fame), 60 Mig-29's (for
air defense), 250 old Mig-21's (110 have been
refurbished with Israeli help), 47 Jaguars and
70 Mig-27's for ground attack. 220 LCA Teja's
under manufacture at HAL Bangalore will start
entering service in 2010... IAF's fighter pilots
are well trained and have out shone American
pilots during joint exercises.
Pakistan Air Force has 200 rebuilt Mirage- 3's (
for night air defense) and Mirage-5's for the
strike role. They can carry nuclear weapons.
They have been upgraded with new weapon systems,
radars, and avionics. Additionally the PAF has
42 F-16's, 150 F-7's including 55 latest F-7
PG's. Manufacture of 150 JF 17 Thunder fighters
(jointly designed) is underway at Pakistan
Aeronautical Complex Kamra. The JF -17 Thunder
is a 4th generation fly by wire multi-role
fighter aircraft. Eight are already in PAF
service. An order has been placed with China for
the purchase of 36 JF-10, a Mach 2.3 -5th
generation multi-role fighter, comparable in
performance to the Su-30 Mk-1 with the Indian
Air Force. PAF is on Red Alert, and is
maintaining full vigil to intercept and destroy
IAF intruders. During the recent air space
violation, the IAF intruders were in the sights
of PAF's F-16's, but were allowed to escape
unscathed to avoid a major diplomatic crisis.
PAF pilots and technicians are well trained,
high professionals, who will be able to prove
their mettle in the future battle with India. A
comparison of Indian Navy and Pakistan Navy
reveals that Pakistan Navy could inflict
substantial damage to the Indian Navy. Indian
Navy has 16 submarines; Pakistan Navy has ten,
some are brand new. Indian Navy has 27 war
ships, Pakistan Navy has ten. Indian Aircraft
Carrier Veerat, will be a menace, and must be
sunk by submarine or air attacks, if it attempts
to block Pakistan's sea lanes or ports. It is
hoped that better sense prevails and India
desists from invading and attacking Pakistan. If
it does, the consequences will be horrible for
both the countries.
IntelliBriefs: Comparison of military power,
Pak-India
Last edited by
HAIDER; 03-16-2009 at 01:15
AM.
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Following User Says Thank You to HAIDER For
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Re: Comparison of military power,
Pak-India . By Air Marshal Ayaz A Khan (R)
Another western perspective about Indian Tank
force..
Quote:
India has bought another 347
Russian T-90S tanks, at a cost of
$3.5 million each. India is also
building another thousand T-90S
tanks under license, and using many
parts imported from Russia.
Last year, India adopted the Russian
T-90 as its new main battle tank.
There will be local production of
about a thousand T-90s over the next
14 years. India already has imported
310 T-90s. Under this plan, by 2020,
India will have 2,000 upgraded
T-72s, over 1,500 T90s, and few
hundred other tanks. This will be
the most powerful armored force in
Eurasia, unless China moves ahead
with upgrades to its tank force. The
border between China and India is
high in the Himalayan mountains,
which is not good tank country.
India's tank force is mainly for use
against Pakistan.
The T-90 is a highly evolved T-72.
Originally, the T-190 was done as a
fall-back design. The T-80 was
supposed to be the successor to the
T-72. But like the T-62 and T-64
before it, the T-80 didn't quite
work out as planned. So the T-72,
with a much improved turret and all
manner of gadgets, was trotted out
as the T-90. Weighting 47 tons, it's
23 feet long, 11 feet wide and 7.5
feet high. Same package, better
contents. And with well trained
crews, it could be deadly.
India doesn't have to worry about
facing M-1s. The main enemy is
Pakistan, which has T-72s, a few
T-80s and many older T-55s (the
Chinese version.) Training remains a
problem for the Indian army, because
of rising fuel costs. Again, it's
all relative, for the Pakistanis are
even less able to pay for the vast
quantities of fuel needed to move a
tank around for training.
Currently, fuel
alone costs the Indian army about a
dollar per kilometer traveled by
each for T-72s, and a little more
for T-90s. So if you want to take a
hundred T-72s out for several days
of training, each vehicle is going
to travel, say, 200 kilometers.
That's $20,000 just for the fuel. Do
that four times a year, for the
entire 4,000 tank force, and you're
out nearly $3 million. That's for
minimal training, and many countries
cannot afford even that. You can
more than double the fuel cost to
take care of replacement parts and
repairs for accidents.
American armored vehicles cost from
$15-$25 per kilometer to operate,
largely because of higher personnel
costs. This is why, even when poor
nations get first rate tanks, they
often do poorly in combat. Buying
the tank, for a few million dollars
each, is only a small part of the
total cost of creating a competent
crew to get the most out of that
high tech tank.
With the new government in Islamabad, there will be a new policy in
place to deal with terrorism. Emotion led advocates are urging immediate
withdrawal of the troops from FATA. The new government may try for a
political accommodation with the terrorists who have bombed to death
atleast 1500 Pakistani’s, including soldiers during the year 2007. Offering promises of autonomy,
development projects, bribes, and troop withdrawal may or may not work.
But negotiating with the terrorists would make a difference. The new
rulers must try persuading the terrorists to stop the suicide bombings.
Washington plans to fight terrorists in Afghanistan and Pakistan with
greater effect. Surge has already been ordered and 3200 US Marines have
started arriving in Afghanistan. The US Air Force is planning a new air
strategy, and impressed by the accuracy and lethality of Predator and
Reaper drones, Robert Gates the US Defence Secretary, has asked for
funds for more drones for the US Air Force. Gates saw the unmanned
planes in Iraq, piloted remotely from Nevada in America, destroying
insurgents’ hideouts with pinpoint accuracy. Gates has been briefed
about the destruction caused by these deadly drones in Iraq, Afghanistan
and tribal areas of Pakistan. These remote controlled planes have the
ability to linger over a target for twenty-four hours. They provide
clear images of insurgents’ hideouts, movements, deployment and
intentions, to commanders in the US. The electronic photo capability of
the US drones is amazing.
These fifth generation un-manned planes can detect a man with a suicide
belt, automatic weapon or a cell phone. They will change the nature of
anti-terrorist war by their surprise and shock effect. With these drones
in the air the terrorists will have no place to hide except insides the
caves. Presently this is the best weapon system and is likely to be used
in greater numbers by the USAF in the coming months.
Air Force Lieutenant General Gary North who runs air combat operations
across Africa and West Asia, including Afghanistan impressed by the
lethality of the Reaper has asked for substantial increase. Defence
Secretary Gates has asked the Pentagon to field more Predator and Reaper
drones to meet USAF requirements. The Predator drone carries Hellfire
missiles. During the war on Afghanistan pilots launched these on
airfields. On March 10, 2008 Los Angles Times reported: “In Pakistan
missiles of unknown origin smashed into a Taliban compound in what
appeared to be the second unacknowledged US Predator strike into that
country.” In 2007 there were a number of Predator strikes on Tribal
villages. The regime tried to hide the missile bombing of a madrassa at
Bajaur in which 82 people, including children died. It was shameful for
the government to own this slaughter, when Predator drones had been
flying the area for three day’s, prior to the firing of Hellfire
missiles.
The new Reaper drone travels at twice the speed of the Predator, and is
less vulnerable to ground fire. The Reaper flew its first mission on
October 1, 2007 and is the most lethal drone in USAF inventory.
According to US experts, “It bristles with guided missiles and bombs
similar to those abroad an F-16 jet fighter.” So far the Reaper has
flown 16 missions attacking targets in Afghanistan using 500 pound bombs
and 110 pound Hellfire missiles.
General Gary North states, “….the Reaper….is proving to be extremely
capable. It is very accurate.” On February 24, 2008 a Reaper drone
tracked a truck that appeared to be carrying a mortar tube and militants
team to fire the weapon. The insurgents were ready to use the mortar
near Kandhar, when a Reaper bomb struck the truck. The same day a
Predator drone destroyed a militants weapons cache with a Hellfire
missile. Instead of using F-15, 16 and B-52 fighters and bombers
deployed in Qatar, drones will be used to detect and crush terrorists.
Loren Thompson, a military analyst at the Lexington Institute comments,
” It is almost having our own little satellite over a terrorist cell. So
far the Reapers durability and safety record has been good. None has
been shot down. But these drones are expensive. Each of the ten Reaper
systems with the USAF cost $ 53 million. The USAF had procured 258
Predator drone systems in 2007, each costing $ 40 million. Presently the
USAF has 102 Predators in its inventory. It is seeking $ 540 million for
additional Predators and $ 334 million for more Reaper drones.
The ability of these remotely controlled drones to linger over the
targets for twenty-four hours, provide continuous images of insurgent
strength, movement, activity and intentions, is of vital importance for
attack plans. Accuracy and lethality of drone launched guided weapons
will overcome the advantage of terrain protection that the terrorists
have along the Pakistan-Afghanistan border. In the changing nature of
terrorist combat in Afghanistan, Waziristan and Iraq, these drones will
enhance vigilance and help pre-empt terrorist attacks. Both Predator and
Reaper can detect a suicide bomber with an explosive belt round his
waist. This information could help stop the suicide bomber from causing
death and devastation.”
The US leaders are convinced that Laden and Al-Qaeda fighters are hiding
in Pak-Afghan border areas, and are busy planning suicide attacks on the
US. Regular suicide bombings, especially the assassination of BB has
shocked every country, especially the US, where she is held in great
regard. The US government is determined that the terrorists must not get
away.
However, it is important that the new coalition government must
formulate a policy to deal with the US plans which includes the
violation of the Pakistani territory. US resolve to fight terror should
not be underestimated. John MaCain Republican Party’s presidential
nominee has reiterated, ” I will go to the door of hell to get Osama bin
Laden and terrorists threatening America.” General T Michael Mosley
Chief of the USAF has outlined a new strategic plan to fight low
intensity war, as well as threat from ascendant powers, seeking to
challenge American military superiority. Bush has approved 183 new F-22
Raptor fighter planes for the US Air Force. USAF wants 381. F-22 Raptor
fighters and Predator and Reaper drones for a key role in the war on
terror.
Is the military success in Malakand and Swat a lasting victory?
The Swat Taliban under Sufi Muhammad and Fazlullah had occupied
entire Malakand division. Schools, hospitals, banks, police
stations, courts, government offices, power and communication
facilities were bombed and destroyed. Taliban suicide bombers
were causing havoc across Pakistan. Despite acceptance of
Nizam-e-Adal by the government, militants captured Upper Dir,
Shangla, and Buner districts, and threatened Peshawar and
Islamabad. The government was left with no option but to strike
with force at the miscreants. They are on the run, but are they
defeated and finished?
The military operation caused the exodus of two million who
became IDPs. Peace loving Swatis pushed out of their homes and
hearths, into the makeshift camps in sizzling midsummer, was a
tragedy and test of the resilience of the suffering people. The
nation stood as a rock behind the IDPs, government and the
military. The Swat Taliban were defeated in Malakand and Swat by
the immense firepower of the Army and PAF, and the determination
of our soldiers and airmen to rid the country of terrorism. The
5,000 Taliban fighters under Fazlullah were well equipped, but
their resistance quickly collapsed. The massive exodus of Swatis
provided the evidence, that the masses did not support the
insurgents. The IDPs are returning to their homes but the battle
is not over. The insurgents are on the run, but are not dead or
gone. People fear that they might return and subject them to
retribution. Fazlullah and many Taliban commanders have neither
been killed nor arrested. They could regroup and start ambushes
and attacks again.
Security of life and property of locals must be given top
priority. Monetary compensation promised to them must be paid
without delay. Considering lack of sympathy of the officials
towards the poor and common people, complaints by the returnees
are and justified. Media is highlighting the people's miseries.
If the returning Swatis are denied funds as promised they will
become easy targets for Taliban propaganda and brainwashing. Our
politicians, especially the rulers make promises, but do not
follow up on them. The provincial government's smugness will be
quickly defaced and it will lose its credibility, especially if
the IDPs do not get a fair deal. The Taliban will re-emerge if
the people feel cheated by the ANP leadership.
Creation of a strong police force, backed by armed citizenry-lashkars,
return of government institutions, especially courts under "Nizam-i-Adal",
to bring the killers to justice, good civil administration and
uninterrupted electricity supply to the area must be given
priority. A culture of ignorance and illiteracy suited and
enabled the Taliban Mullah's to brainwash and mislead the
people. Reconstruction and repair of all the three hundred
destroyed schools and colleges must be given top priority. Twice
that number be built in the rural areas of Swat and Malakand.
All educated youth be trained as teachers and employed in the
rural schools under a crash programme. All teachers and senior
students above the age of 16 years must be given self-defence
training. But will the Taliban, conspirators, and enemy agents
allow peace to prevail and social progress to take place? They
will again target schools and colleges. Students and the faculty
must defend their institutions. The Taliban were challenging the
writ of the government. Education, peace and progress is
contrary to their motives. The Army must stay in Malakand and
Swat, till the orderly resettlement of the IDPs and the creation
of a strong and well equipped police force.
The hardcore Taliban are hiding in the hills and caves of Swat
and Malakand. Their warlord Fazlullah is still at large. The
Swat Taliban could regroup in Kohistan, in Kaladahka and other
remote areas of Mansera Division. Most of them belong to the
Madrassas in Pakistan, and could have returned there. Thousands
could have shaved their beards, and disappeared among the IDPs
or local villagers. They are unlikely to surface in Swat and
Malakand immediately, but being experts at spreading rumors and
fomenting unrest, they will do everything to discredit the
government policies and plans. Government's relief actions,
especially the distribution of funds must be transparent.
Fazlullah fought against NATO forces in Afghanistan for over a
decade. Chain of FM radio stations across Swat and Malakand, and
provision of cell phones, training for suicide bombings to poor
illiterate boys, and launching them on suicide bombing missions
prove he is are dangerous. He had established effective
coordination with Baitullah Mehsud's Tehrik-e-Taliban Pakistan.
With the death of Baitullah Mehsud and infighting among some
factions of TTP, especially the Mehsud and Bhittany Taliban,
coordination could have become non-effective. Taliban terrorists
are highly strung, emotional, violent and suspicious of fellow
Taliban from other tribes and areas. The recent assassination of
Zainuddin, and clashes between Mehsud and Bhittani fighters
resulted in the death of seventy people proves it.
Taliban influence in Pakistan has eroded as a result of suicide
bombings of mosques, schools, colleges, hospitals, shops,
hotels, market places and killing of innocent people at
political gatherings. Pakistani people now believe that the
Taliban are no good-mindless killers and assassins, out to
destroy life and property. In the tribal Agencies, including
Malakand and Swat, People have formed vigilante "lshkars"-volunteers
fighters, to fight the Taliban killers and extremists to protect
themselves from violence and death. Military action in Swat and
Malakand was urgently needed to restore peace and writ of the
government. The Pakistani military has done a good job, and
endeared the armed forces to the nation. The military's conduct
as a fighting institution at the service of the government and
the people has created love and respect for it across the
country. But Taliban have gained strength in the southern and
eastern provinces of Afghanistan. The recent suicide bombings
out side the NATO Headquarters in Kabul and scores of
causalities suffered by ISAF and Afghan troops, is testimony to
the fact that ridding Afghanistan of the Taliban will not be
easy. And if the Taliban in Afghanistan gain strength, Pakistani
Taliban will not only have a sanctuary in that country, but a
source of supply as well.
The next mission of the Pakistani armed forces is to bring
normalcy to North and South Waziristan. The military planning
for this mission seems to be in order. The Pakistan Air Force
has been given the mission to "soften up", the terrorist
resistance, by accurate bombing of high value targets. The
targets are dispersed and hidden in caves, bunkers, trenches in
culverts and difficult terrain. With precision guided weapons,
missiles and guided bombs much greater accuracy of air attacks
is being achieved. Pakistan Air Force has flown three hundred
ground strike missions and inflicted fair amount of damage on
the Taliban insurgents in Swat. Over one hundred such sorties
have already been flown against Taliban insurgents in
Waziristan. After the death of Baitullah Mehsud; with disarray
in the ranks of TTP insurgents and continued air strikes, there
are likely to be more defections, with the demoralized Taliban
wishing to surrender, or form lashkars for self defence.
This should be encouraged under the present stick and carrot
policy. With the decision to allow the political parties to
function in all the seven tribal Agencies of the FATA it is time
that they defined their political and economic agendas for the
tribal region. They should come out of their airconditioned
drawing rooms, and head for the tribal towns and cities, to
assist the tribal people who have seen nothing but suffering
since the last three decades. If the politicians dedicate
themselves sincerely to the service of the suffering, distraught
and tortured tribal brothers and sisters, the chances of
re-emergence of the Taliban will recede. The tribal masses must
be brought on board in the political and economic life of the
country in the interest of long term peace and amity in the
border regions and the country.
Re: Comparison of military power,
Pak-India . By Air Marshal Ayaz A Khan (R)
