Pakistan and India possess extensive missile arsenals, reflecting their strategic priorities and technological advancements. Below is a comparative overview of their key missile systems, categorized by type:
🛰️ Strategic Ballistic Missiles
🇵🇰 Pakistan
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Ababeel: A medium-range ballistic missile (MRBM) with a range of approximately 2,200 km, capable of carrying multiple independently targetable reentry vehicles (MIRVs).
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Shaheen-III: MRBM with a range of about 2,750 km, designed to reach all parts of India, including the Andaman and Nicobar Islands.
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Ghauri (Hatf-V): MRBM with a range between 1,350–1,500 km, capable of delivering nuclear or conventional warheads.
🇮🇳 India
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Agni-V: An intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM) with a range of 7,000–8,000 km, equipped with MIRV capability, allowing it to carry multiple nuclear warheads. Wikipedia
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Agni-III: MRBM with a range of approximately 4,500 km, capable of delivering nuclear payloads.
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Agni-P (Prime): A medium-range ballistic missile with a range of 1,000–2,000 km, featuring advanced guidance systems and maneuverable reentry vehicles. Wikipedia
✈️ Cruise Missiles
🇵🇰 Pakistan
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Babur Series:
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Babur-1B: Ground-launched cruise missile (GLCM) with a range of 450 km.
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Babur-III: Submarine-launched cruise missile (SLCM) with a range of 450 km, enhancing Pakistan's second-strike capability. Wikipedia
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Ra'ad-II: An air-launched cruise missile (ALCM) with an estimated range of 600 km, designed for deployment from aircraft like the JF-17 and Mirage.
🇮🇳 India
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Nirbhay: A subsonic cruise missile with a range of up to 1,500 km, capable of carrying conventional or nuclear warheads. Wikipedia
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BrahMos: A supersonic cruise missile jointly developed with Russia, with a range of 300–500 km, deployable from land, sea, and air platforms.
⚔️ Tactical and Short-Range Missiles
🇵🇰 Pakistan
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Nasr (Hatf-IX): A short-range ballistic missile (SRBM) with a range of 70 km, designed for battlefield use with nuclear capability.
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Fatah-II: A guided rocket system with a range of approximately 400 km, used for precision strikes.
🇮🇳 India
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Prithvi Series:
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Prithvi-II: SRBM with a range of 250–350 km, capable of carrying nuclear or conventional warheads.
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Prahaar: A tactical SRBM with a range of 150 km, designed for quick deployment and precision targeting.
🛡️ Missile Defense Systems
🇵🇰 Pakistan
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HQ-9/P: A long-range surface-to-air missile system acquired from China, enhancing Pakistan's air defense capabilities. Reuters
🇮🇳 India
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S-400 Triumf: A Russian-made advanced air defense system, capable of intercepting various aerial threats at long ranges. Reuters
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Ballistic Missile Defense (BMD) Program: India's indigenous two-tiered system designed to intercept incoming ballistic missiles.
🔍 Comparative Overview
| Category | Pakistan | India |
|---|---|---|
| MIRV Technology | Ababeel | Agni-V, Agni-P |
| Cruise Missiles | Babur, Ra'ad series | Nirbhay, BrahMos |
| Submarine-Launched | Babur-III | K-15, K-4 (under development) |
| Tactical Nukes | Nasr (Hatf-IX) | Prahaar, Prithvi-II |
| Missile Defense | HQ-9/P | S-400, Indigenous BMD |