That Pakistan and India each have sophisticated missile systems is no coincidence; both nations developed them in response to the perceived threat of the other.
The massacre of Indian tourists in the disputed Kashmir region has ratcheted up tensions between long-time rivals India and Pakistan, raising the prospects for open conflict between South Asia’s two nuclear powers. Let’s continue our examination of the respective military prowesses of both India and Pakistan—focusing specifically on missile technology, which is likely to play a major role in any future conflict.
India’s Long History of Missile Capabilities
India has a rich history of deploying missile technology. During the 18th century, the Kingdom of Mysore—located in southern India—was the first nation to ever deploy iron-cased rockets in warfare. These rockets were highly effective against the British, and the British soon copied them and put them to use in their own army—most notably during the attack on Fort McHenry in Baltimore. The rocket with the “red glare” in “The Star-Spangled Banner” is a British-adapted Mysore rocket.
India’s pursuit of modern military technology began immediately following their independence from the United Kingdom. Despite several technological and diplomatic hurdles—namely, the denial of missile-facilitating technology from more scientifically advanced nations like the U.S., Germany, and France—India has developed a breadth of missile technology, including intercontinental ballistic missiles (ICBMs), making her one of just seven nations on Earth with ICBM technology.
India’s missile development hasn’t solely been for offensive purposes. India is also one of the few nations with anti-ballistic missile systems. India’s missile defense system consists of two different missiles: first, the Prithvi Air Defense (PAD) missile, for high altitude interception; and second, the Advanced Air Defence (AAD), for lower altitude interception. Between the two complementary systems, the Indian anti-ballistic missile system is expected to be able to intercept any incoming missile launching from at least 5,000 kilometers away.
India also boasts the fastest cruise missile in operation anywhere in the world: the BrahMos and BrahMos II hypersonic cruise missiles, which were developed in collaboration with Russia and can be launched from land, air, sea, or sub-sea platforms.
In short, India has myriad conventional and nuclear offensive missile options—plus the rare ability to intercept incoming missiles.
Pakistan’s Missiles Are Weaker, but Still Potent
Like India, Pakistan has a diverse missile arsenal with both conventional and nuclear options. That Pakistan and India both have sophisticated missile systems is no coincidence: India developed their systems in response to the perceived threat of Pakistan, while Pakistan developed their systems in response to the perceived threat of India.
But Pakistan, unlike India, does not have an ICBM option. Islamabad has not been willing—or perhaps able—to invest the resources into developing the advanced technologies required to field an ICBM system. For Pakistan, this is a careful strategic choice. While India has an often-antagonistic relationship with China, Pakistan only has one major enemy—India—and given how close it is, ICBMs would be irrelevant in any such conflict. Pakistan’s current stock of missile systems meets their regional aims, namely deterring India.
Thanks to its Shaheen series of missiles, developed in collaboration with China, Pakistan is equipped to offer short-, medium-, and long-range capabilities. The country is also working to develop and deploy an anti-ballistic missile system in order to counteract India’s strikes. It currently has some systems in place, such as the HQ-9BE, which offer some limited defense against tactical ballistic missiles—but are probably not equipped to prevent India’s most advanced weaponry, like the BrahMos, from finding its target.
In sum, Pakistan’s missile systems, both offensive and defensive, lag well behind India’s—giving India a distinct edge on paper. But Pakistan’s possession of the nuclear option should help level the playing field, at least with respect to deterrence.
About the Author: Harrison Kass
Harrison Kass is a senior defense and national security writer with over 1,000 total pieces on issues involving global affairs. An attorney, pilot, guitarist, and minor pro hockey player, Harrison joined the US Air Force as a Pilot Trainee but was medically discharged. Harrison holds a BA from Lake Forest College, a JD from the University of Oregon, and an MA from New York University. Harrison listens to Dokken.
Image: Shutterstock / PradeepGaurs.
