As tensions boil in the South Asian subcontinent following a deadly terror attack on tourists in Pahalgam, Jammu and Kashmir, the threat of military conflict between nuclear-armed neighbors India and Pakistan is once again at the forefront of global concern. The situation is fluid, volatile, and charged with high-stakes brinkmanship.
The ghastly attack in Pahalgam, which claimed the lives of multiple civilians, has been the flashpoint. The Indian government has laid the blame squarely on Pakistan-based terror groups, a recurring theme in the long and violent history of militancy in the Kashmir Valley. In response, Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi has granted the military “operational freedom” to choose the time, place, and nature of the response. This directive, coming from the highest level of the Indian state, signals a willingness to escalate beyond symbolic retaliation.
Reacting sharply, Pakistan’s Information Minister Attaullah Tarar claimed that Islamabad has “credible intelligence” that India is preparing to launch a military strike. “Any such military adventurism by India would be responded to assuredly and decisively,” he warned. Pakistan’s military has since ramped up its alert levels, mobilizing equipment, activating air defenses, and conducting visible military drills near the India border in a clear display of deterrence.
The Line of Control (LoC), the de facto border between Indian-administered and Pakistan-administered Kashmir, has witnessed sporadic firing since the attack. These exchanges, while not uncommon, can easily spiral out of control. The danger lies not just in a miscalculation, but also in the strategic necessity for both sides to project strength to domestic and international audiences.
Strategic analysts believe that a full-scale war remains unlikely due to the nuclear deterrent on both sides and international diplomatic pressures. However, a limited high-intensity conflict is well within the realm of possibility. Should that occur, India’s indigenous military technology and weaponry will likely come under intense scrutiny and, possibly, global spotlight.
India has made significant strides in defense manufacturing under the “Atmanirbhar Bharat” (self-reliant India) initiative. A limited war would test these systems in real-world conditions.
The Pinaka Multiple Barrel Rocket Launch System (MBRL), likened to the U.S.-made HIMARS, is already deployed along the western borders. With a range of 38 km in its Mk-1 variant, it can unleash 12 rockets in 44 seconds. An entire battery can deliver 72 rockets with devastating effect. Its shoot-and-scoot capability is crucial for surviving in drone-infested combat environments. A newer version with a range up to 90 km is under development, promising even greater reach.
The system’s modularity and adaptability make it ideal for different terrain profiles, including the rugged Kashmir valley. It has already found an export customer in Armenia.
India’s Akash surface-to-air missile system, developed by DRDO and produced by Bharat Dynamics Limited, is one of the most robust air defense platforms available. Capable of engaging targets 25 km away and handling multiple threats simultaneously, the Akash is optimized for high-mobility warfare.
Mounted on mobile platforms, the system is difficult to track and target. Its in-built Electronic Counter-Countermeasures (ECCM) and jamming resistance give it a significant edge. Its open-system architecture ensures adaptability to newer upgrades and integration with modern air defense networks.
In any future conflict, Pakistani aircraft would have to contend with this formidable shield, especially in high-threat zones like Jammu and Kashmir.
India’s Light Combat Aircraft (LCA) Tejas, a single-engine 4+ generation multirole fighter, could see front-line deployment. Developed by Hindustan Aeronautics Limited and ADA, the Tejas has matured from a developmental prototype to a combat-ready platform. It boasts Mach 1.6 speed, a combat range of 500 km, and a weapons payload of 3,500 kg.
Currently deployed at forward airbases, including those in J&K, Tejas fighters could be assigned secondary strike roles or air patrols. The IAF may use Tejas alongside Su-30MKIs and Rafales for layered air superiority. Comparisons will inevitably be drawn with Pakistan’s JF-17 Thunder, co-developed with China.
India’s indigenously developed Astra Mk-1 Beyond Visual Range Air-to-Air Missile, with a range of 110 km, is a vital asset. Compatible with Su-30MKI, Tejas, and MiG-29 aircraft, Astra allows for high-speed aerial engagements.
Armed with a 15-kg explosive payload and capable of targeting Pakistani JF-17s or F-16s, the Astra could be decisive in aerial combat over the LoC or deeper into Pakistani territory, should the conflict intensify.
The Rudram-II Anti-Radiation Missile is designed to target enemy radar and communication systems, making it a vital tool for SEAD (Suppression of Enemy Air Defenses) operations. With a range of 150 km, it can cripple Pakistan’s radar infrastructure, paving the way for deeper strikes.
Mounted on Su-30MKI platforms, Rudram-II can be the first wave of an electronic assault, disabling air defense nodes and allowing follow-up attacks by Tejas or Rafales.
The Indo-Russian BrahMos missile is perhaps the most feared weapon in India’s arsenal. Capable of speeds up to Mach 3.5 and ranges exceeding 500 km, BrahMos missiles are precision-strike platforms that can be launched from land, sea, air, or submarine.
The missile’s terrain-hugging flight profile (as low as 10 meters in its terminal phase) makes it nearly impossible to intercept. Its air-launched variant is already integrated with the Su-30MKI and is combat-ready.
The missile’s success in the export market, with the Philippines signing a $375 million deal, has bolstered India’s defense diplomacy. Reports of interest from Vietnam, Malaysia, and Indonesia reflect the growing appeal of the system.
Pakistan lacks any credible countermeasure to BrahMos. In any high-intensity conflict, these missiles would be deployed to hit high-value targets like airbases, radar stations, and logistical hubs.
India’s rotary wing fleet has also undergone significant modernization. The Advanced Light Helicopter (ALH) Dhruv, in its utility and armed Rudra variant, is suited for high-altitude operations. These helicopters can be used for troop transport, reconnaissance, and light combat roles.
The Light Combat Helicopter (LCH) Prachand is a dedicated attack platform. Designed for mountain warfare, it can operate at altitudes up to 21,000 feet. With stealth features and robust weaponry including air-to-ground missiles and anti-tank rockets, Prachand is tailor-made for the Himalayan theater.
These helicopters will likely support SEAD and Close Air Support (CAS) missions in Kashmir or along other flashpoints in the western sector.
The world is watching closely. Any limited war between India and Pakistan would not only affect South Asian stability but also global markets, energy routes, and geopolitical alliances.
India’s display of indigenous technology would resonate across defense procurement circles, especially among nations seeking to diversify from traditional Western or Chinese suppliers.
On the flip side, an escalation could draw in external powers diplomatically, if not militarily. The U.S., China, and Gulf countries have stakes in the stability of this region. With both India and Pakistan being nuclear powers, any misstep could have catastrophic consequences.
The subcontinent stands at a critical juncture. With nationalism, vengeance, and deterrence swirling together in a combustible mix, the decisions made in the coming days by both New Delhi and Islamabad will shape the region’s trajectory for years to come. While war may not be inevitable, the machinery is moving, and the drums are beating louder.
India’s indigenous defense technology, forged over decades and now battle-ready, could play a decisive role should the situation escalate. What remains to be seen is whether diplomacy can intervene in time, or whether South Asia will once again be plunged into the fires of conflict.
