India-Pakistan near-war spotlights South Asia’s high-tech arms race

By Hugo Barcia and Amjad Ali

New Delhi/Islamabad, May 13 (EFE).- From supersonic missiles to electromagnetic jamming, the latest flare-up between India and Pakistan has exposed how the long-standing South Asian rivalry is now being fought with cutting-edge weaponry — even as the threat of nuclear escalation continues to restrain both sides from full-blown war.

Drones, next-generation fighter jets, and supersonic missiles were among the advanced weapons deployed in the latest India-Pakistan conflict, whose historic arms race has spanned decades since their partition in 1947.

The latest confrontation escalated between May 7 and 10, culminating in a ceasefire brokered by the United States. The hostilities raised bilateral tensions to unprecedented levels in the 21st century.

“It is a cat-and-mouse game, and we need to be ahead of the curve to beat the adversary,” said Indian Air Marshal A.K. Bharti at a press conference following the truce.

Underlying the high-tech confrontation is the ever-present nuclear threat, a red line that both sides have been careful not to cross.

Fighter Jets at the Forefront

India ranks fourth on the Global Firepower Index 2025, with an active military of about 1.46 million personnel, 1,672 combat-ready aircraft, and 293 naval assets, including two aircraft carriers, alongside its nuclear arsenal.

However, much of its hardware stems from Soviet-era deals, prompting recent modernization efforts.

The French-made Rafale jets, acquired through a $7 billion deal with in 2016, are among the most advanced in India’s fleet.

In the first major aerial clash on May 7, India launched strikes against what it described as militant targets inside Pakistan.

Islamabad claimed it shot down five Indian aircraft, including three Rafales. While New Delhi has not confirmed the losses, Bharti acknowledged that “losses are part of any war.”

Following these claims, shares of Rafale manufacturer Dassault Aviation dropped over 2 percent on the Paris stock exchange, while stocks of Pakistan’s Chinese-made fighter jet producers surged in Shanghai.

Pakistan’s Electronic Edge

Pakistan, ranked 12th in the Global Firepower Index, has a smaller military, with around 654,000 active personnel, and fewer aircraft and naval assets than India. Still, it leveraged electronic warfare to level the playing field.

Pakistan denied coordinated force by disrupting communications between Indian aircraft and ground control, degrading sensor performance, retired Pakistani Air Vice Marshal Ikramullah Bhatti told EFE.

In a post-ceasefire press briefing, Pakistan Air Force Deputy Chief Aurangzeb Ahmed played what he claimed was intercepted audio from an Indian pilot mid-mission

Pakistan’s air fleet includes aging F-16s and more modern Chinese-made J-10C and JF-17 Thunder fighters.

During the conflict, Islamabad relied heavily on its Chinese jets, particularly the JF-17, a fourth-generation, multi-role fighter tly developed by Pakistan and China.

Drone Warfare Escalates

Both sides also deployed a large number of drones, now central to modern warfare. Pakistan claimed to have shot down more than 80 Harop drones launched by India. In turn, India said it downed most of the 300+ drones sent by Pakistan.

The Harop, manufactured by Israel, boasts a range of up to nine hours. Pakistan’s drone arsenal reportedly included Turkish-made Songar systems.

Adding to the escalation were unverified claims from Pakistan that India used its BrahMos supersonic missile, tly developed with Russia. India has neither confirmed nor denied the allegation.

The Trigger and the Toll

The crisis erupted after an attack on Apr. 22 in Indian-istered Kashmir, which killed 26 civilians, mostly Indians. India blamed Pakistan for aiding the unknown attackers, a charge Islamabad denies.

The violence left at least 115 dead, including the victims of the Kashmir attack, with most casualties concentrated in the disputed Kashmir region, where both nations exchanged artillery and small-arms fire along the de factor border, the Line of Control.

Kashmir has long been the flashpoint of India-Pakistan hostilities, having sparked multiple wars and countless skirmishes since 1947.

While both countries appear to have stepped back from the brink, their evolving military capabilities suggest that the next crisis could be even more volatile. EFE

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