From Tactical Nukes to Stealth Jets: Pakistan’s Weapons Giving India Sleepless Nights

Tensions between Pakistan and India have existed ever since the two nations came into being. Decades after independence, while India has carved a global identity for itself, Pakistan has positioned itself as a country that spends most of its money and time nurturing terrorism. While the people there may struggle for basic necessities like food, the country's warehouses are stocked with advanced weaponry.

If we compare the military and nuclear capabilities of India and Pakistan, both possess modern weapon systems and nuclear arsenals. Though Pakistan doesn't match up to India's military strength, there are still a few weapons in its arsenal for which India is still searching for countermeasures. India's military capability, especially in conventional and nuclear arms, is superior to Pakistan’s, but in certain aspects, Pakistan’s systems can pose serious challenges. Let's look at those weapons.

Tactical Nuclear Weapons

Pakistan possesses short-range ballistic missiles like Nasr (Hatf-9), which have a strike range of 70 km and are capable of carrying tactical nuclear warheads. These weapons were developed as a counter to India's Cold Start doctrine – a strategy involving rapid cross-border assaults. India currently lacks an equivalent to tactical nuclear weapons, as its nuclear policy is based on a No First Use (NFU) doctrine and large-scale retaliatory strikes. This capability makes Pakistan's arsenal a strategic concern for India, especially since India’s S-400 missile defence system may not be fully effective against such short-range missiles.

J-10C Fighter Jet and PL-15 Missile

In recent years, Pakistan has acquired J-10C fighter jets from China, equipped with advanced radar and PL-15 air-to-air missiles. The PL-15 has a strike range of 90 miles (approximately 145 km or more), giving it a longer reach than the AIM-120 AMRAAM missiles currently used by India. During the India-Pakistan military conflict in May 2025, the J-10C jets targeted Indian Rafale fighters. While India does possess top-tier jets like Rafale and Mirage-2000, the extended range of the PL-15 poses a serious challenge to India’s aerial defense strategy.

HQ-9P and HQ-16 Air Defence Systems

Pakistan has also obtained surface-to-air missile systems like the HQ-9P and HQ-16 from China. Although Indian strikes destroyed some of these systems during the May 2025 conflict – raising questions about their effectiveness – they still present a temporary tactical challenge. While India’s S-400 air defence system is more advanced, the deployment of HQ systems by Pakistan complicates India’s strike strategy.

China’s Upcoming J-35A Stealth Jets

Pakistan is likely to receive the fifth-generation J-35A stealth fighter jets from China. According to media reports, Pakistan has approved the purchase of 40 J-35A jets, with deliveries expected to begin by late 2025 or early 2026. This will mark China’s first export of fifth-generation fighter jets and will present a new challenge for India. As of now, India has only 4.5-generation Rafale aircraft and no operational fifth-generation jets. India is developing such technology under the Mark-1 and Mark-2 programs, but these will take more time to be field-ready.

BeiDou Navigation System

China’s BeiDou navigation system, considered one of the most advanced in the world, serves as the ‘eyes’ of the Pakistani military. It is China’s indigenous GPS system, comparable to the U.S. GPS, Russia’s GLONASS, and Europe’s Galileo. Operational since 2020, BeiDou is said to offer 100 times more accurate data. Pakistan is the first country in the world to receive military-level access to this system. BeiDou operates across three orbits: GEO, IGSO, and MEO. It enhances precision targeting and information sharing for weapon systems, reducing Pakistan's reliance on U.S. GPS and minimizing data manipulation risks.

India’s Counter Capabilities

In response to these Pakistani advancements, India has its own robust arsenal, including long-range ballistic missiles like Agni-V (range of 8,000 km), Rafale fighter jets, and the S-400 air defense system, which are superior to Pakistan’s Shaheen-III (2,750 km) and other systems. India’s three armed forces and a nuclear arsenal of approximately 180 warheads outmatch Pakistan’s estimated 170 warheads, making India the dominant force overall despite some tactical disadvantages.