Tensions between nuclear rivals India and Pakistan remain a lingering shadow over South Asia. Despite a shared history and a border etched by the departing British Empire in 1947, their relationship has been marred by conflict and the looming specter of nuclear warfare.
The Indian military’s substantial capabilities pose a formidable threat to Pakistan. Among the five Indian weapons that Pakistan fears most is the INS Vikramaditya, a Soviet-era aircraft carrier refitted for the Indian Navy.
A behemoth at 282 meters long with a displacement of 44,000 tons, it may lack the sheer size of American supercarriers, but its air wing can conduct a suite of warfare operations, from air superiority to anti-submarine missions.
In times of conflict, this carrier could implement a devastating naval blockade, crippling Pakistan’s economy which heavily relies on imported gasoline.
The INS Chakra, an Akula-II nuclear-powered attack submarine, represents another aspect of India’s naval prowess.
Armed with a variety of weapons, including the high-speed VA-111 Shkval torpedo, it poses a significant threat to Pakistani maritime interests.
India’s land firepower received a considerable upgrade with the acquisition of the AH-64D Apache Longbow Block III attack helicopters, which excel in engaging armored formations and can conduct counterinsurgency operations.
With a $1.4 billion contract, India added these helicopters to its arsenal, enhancing its ability to project power on land.
In the air, the Su-30MKI air superiority fighter stands as the mainstay of the Indian Air Force (IAF).
The Su-30MKI is equipped with a robust radar, powerful armament, and twin engines.
Derived from the Su-27 Flanker of the 1980s, this long-range aircraft features advanced capabilities such as thrust vectoring control and canards, enhancing its maneuverability.
The inclusion of the Zhuk active electronically scanned array radar enables the Su-30MKI to engage multiple targets simultaneously.
Additionally, the aircraft will be bolstered by the Novator long-range air-to-air missile, which can effectively target threats within a range of 300 to 400 kilometers.
Furthermore, each Su-30MKI will have the capacity to carry a single BrahMos missile, providing stand-off capabilities against both naval vessels and ground targets at distances of up to 295 kilometers.
On the other side, Pakistan’s reliance on a nuclear response to India’s conventional might is a sobering reminder of the fragility of peace in the region. According to Frank O’Donnell, Deputy Director of the Stimson Center’s South Asia Program, both nations pursue military options over political dialogue, keeping the dispute over Kashmir alive and dangerous.
Relevant articles:
– If India and Pakistan Went to War: 5 Weapons Pakistan Should Fear, The National Interest
– Hiding in Plain Sight: India and Pakistan’s Global Environmental Threat, armscontrolcenter.org
– If India and Pakistan Went to War: 5 Weapons Pakistan Should Fear, defence.pk
– Fears Of India-Pakistan Nuclear War Raged In 2002, NPR