The ongoing India-Pakistan conflict, which escalated after the terrorist attack in Kashmir, has seen a surprising turn of events, with Pakistan holding its own and even outperforming India in the early stages of the conflict.
This has raised questions about why India’s military has not lived up to expectations, especially considering its larger size, advanced weapons systems, and strategic alliances.
The conflict, which began with India’s “Operation Sindoor” in retaliation for the Kashmir attack, has exposed significant weaknesses in India’s military capabilities, particularly in the Indian Air Force (IAF).
Despite having superior nuclear command and control and a diverse range of equipment from European and Russian suppliers, India’s Air Force has faltered in its early engagements with Pakistan. The loss of five IAF aircraft, including advanced Rafale jets, is a major setback and has cast doubt on India’s perceived superiority in the air.
The Pakistani military, armed with modern Chinese technology and enhanced by Turkish support, has proven to be far more capable than many analysts had anticipated. In the initial days of the conflict, Pakistan’s use of Chinese-made PL-15 air-to-air missiles, fired from J-10C fighters, resulted in the downing of several Indian aircraft, including the Rafales, which were thought to be some of the most advanced in India’s fleet.
The failure of the IAF can partly be attributed to a shortage of skilled pilots and the lack of proper flight training simulators, which have hindered the effectiveness of the Indian forces. Pakistan, on the other hand, has had years of experience in counterterrorism operations, providing their pilots with practical combat experience that has given them an edge in these early engagements.
The geopolitical dynamics further complicate the situation. India, despite its membership in the “Quad” and its strategic ties with the U.S. and Japan, has seen limited international support. Its longtime ally Russia has remained neutral, likely due to its complex relationship with China. Meanwhile, Pakistan has strengthened its ties with China and Turkey, two regional powers that have strategic interests in curbing India’s influence.
As the conflict continues to escalate, the lack of strong leadership on both sides and the active involvement of foreign powers mean that the war could spiral further out of control. Without intervention from global powers like the U.S. and Russia, who hold sway over Pakistan and India respectively, there is a real risk that the situation could worsen, leading to a larger and more catastrophic war in the region.
Ultimately, this conflict highlights the unexpected strengths of Pakistan’s military, bolstered by Chinese and Turkish technology, and exposes the vulnerabilities of India’s military despite its larger size and technological edge.
The coming weeks could prove critical in determining the direction of the conflict and whether external powers will step in to prevent a full-scale war.
