Tensions have escalated between Iran and Pakistan following strikes by the Pakistani army targeting the Sistan and Baluchestan region of Iran in response to a missile attack. Tehran, on the other hand, launched an assault on the “Jaish al-Adl” group in Pakistan.
Islamabad recalled its ambassador from Tehran the day before yesterday, on Wednesday, while the two countries repeatedly accuse each other of allowing armed elements operating from their respective territories to launch attacks. However, it is rare for either side’s government forces to intervene, making these latest strikes the most significant cross-border operation in recent years.
Though there have been past tensions in the relationship between the two countries, these strikes are unprecedented. Consequently, some observers believe that these heightened tensions could lead to a new regional war, while others downplay this possibility.
The two countries share a land border of about 700 kilometers, with Pakistan located to the southeast of Iran. Pakistan covers an area of about 800,000 square kilometers, whereas Iran’s territory spans approximately 1.65 million square kilometers.
As Pakistan-Iran relations enter a period of crisis and tension, this report highlights the strengths of both nations and ranks them on the global scale in terms of economic, military, and human power.
Maneuvers by the Pakistani army (European Pressphoto Agency)
Regional Powers
Strategic and military observers classify both countries as significant regional powers. According to the American website Global Firepower, the militaries of both countries rank within the top 20 strongest forces worldwide.
The comparison criteria employed by Global Firepower reveal that each army surpasses the other in different domains.
While the Iranian army has an advantage in natural factors such as geographic location, natural resources, financial resources, logistics, and geography, the Pakistani army excels in human, military, and aerial strengths.
Maneuvers by the Iranian army (European Pressphoto Agency)
Overall Ranking:
The Pakistani military holds the 9th position globally in terms of overall strength, while the Iranian military is ranked 14th.
Pakistan excels in the overall power coefficient, an index that measures resources and influence to rank a country’s comprehensive strength. The military metric for Pakistan stands at (0.1711), whereas for Iran, it is (0.2269), with a lower coefficient indicating greater power.
Iran dedicates about $10 billion to its defense budget, while Pakistan’s defense budget is approximately $6.3 billion.
Human and Financial Power
Pakistan’s population is around 248 million with a workforce of about 106 million, compared to Iran’s estimated population of about 88 million with a workforce of 49 million.
The active Pakistani Armed Forces comprise approximately 654,000 individuals, with 550,000 in reserve and an additional half a million in paramilitary forces.
Iran’s active forces include about 610,000 individuals in active service, with an estimated 350,000 in reserve, in addition to approximately 220,000 classified as paramilitary forces.
Pakistan’s external debt totals around $110 billion, much larger than Iran’s $8 billion. Pakistan’s foreign reserves stand at $22.8 billion, compared to $127 billion for Iran.
Aerial Strength
Pakistan’s total aircraft tally reaches 1,434, including 387 fighter jets such as the F-16, 60 dedicated to air transport, 352 helicopters of which 57 are combat-ready, and 25 for special missions.
Iran possesses 551 aircraft, with 186 fighters, 86 for air transport, and 129 helicopters, including 13 combat helicopters, as well as 10 aircraft for special missions.
Additionally, Iran has a full arsenal of drones and an electronic attack unit within its Revolutionary Guard known for orchestrating numerous attacks abroad.
Land Power
- Tanks: Pakistan owns 3,742 compared to 1,996 for Iran.
- Armored vehicles: 50,523 for Pakistan, 65,765 for Iran.
- Self-propelled artillery: 752 for Pakistan, 580 for Iran.
- Towed artillery: 3,238 for Pakistan, 2,050 for Iran.
- Rocket projectors: 602 for Pakistan against 775 for Iran.
Naval Force:
The Pakistani naval fleet consists of 114 vessels versus 101 in the Iranian fleet. Pakistan has two destroyers, while Iran’s fleet completely lacks this type of ship.
In terms of submarines, Iran has the upper hand with 19, compared to Pakistan’s eight.
Other key naval assets are as follows:
- Frigates: 9 for Pakistan versus 7 for Iran.
- Corvettes: 7 for Pakistan against 6 for Iran.
- Patrol vessels: 69 for Pakistan, 21 for Iran.
- Mine sweepers: 3 for Pakistan, 1 for Iran.
Overall, the naval power of both countries is modest compared to other nations, and neither possesses aircraft carriers.
Logistics
- Airports: 151 in Pakistan versus 319 in Iran.
- Merchant marine fleet: 58 for Pakistan, 942 for Iran.
- Ports and terminals: 2 for Pakistan, 4 for Iran.
- Logistic workforce: 73 million for Pakistan, 28.6 million for Iran.
Natural Resources:
- Oil production: 101,000 barrels for Pakistan, 3.5 million for Iran.
- Confirmed oil reserves: Half a billion barrels for Pakistan, 210 billion for Iran.
- Natural gas production: 38 billion barrels for Pakistan, 237.5 billion for Iran.
- Confirmed natural gas reserves: 592 billion barrels for Pakistan, 34 trillion for Iran.
- Coal production: 4.9 million barrels for Pakistan, 2.8 million for Iran.
Finally, it is important to note that Pakistan is one of nine nations that possess nuclear weapons, having begun their development in 1972. Iran, on the other hand, does not possess nuclear weapons and consistently emphasizes that its uranium enrichment is for peaceful civilian purposes.
