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The Armed Forces of India is a military organization of India designed to defend the Republic, protect the freedom and independence of the state, one of the most important instruments of political power. For 2018, it ranks fourth in the ranking of the strongest armies in the world after the Armed Forces of the USA, Russia and China. The country possesses nuclear weapons.
Nuclear arsenal
2023: Among the countries with the largest reserves of raw materials for nuclear weapons
For China, data on traces of the presence of highly enriched uranium and plutonium in the country
As of
March 2023
2021
History
2025
India loses 5 fighter jets in first attack on Pakistan
After the start of the Indian operation in Kashmir in May 2025, personnel of aircraft debris appeared on the Web. Official sources India did not provide details, and the statements Pakistan are based mainly on data from social networks.
On May 8, the loss of five Indian Air Force fighters, including the expensive French Rafali, was confirmed.
More on downed planes:
- Avantipura (Jammu and Kashmir) - A fire broke out near the airfield at the crash site of a French-made Rafale fighter jet. The personnel from the scene shows characteristic debris.
- Akaliya Kalan (Punjab) - shot down the second Rafale. The opinion about the reasons for the defeat of the board was divided: some sources point to the air defense system, others to the air-to-air missile.
- Bathinda (Punjab) - the fall of the third Rafale in two days.
- Ahnor (Jammu and Kashmir) - the wreckage of the ejection seat of the K-36DM and elements of the RD-33 engine are found, indicating the loss of the MiG-29 by the Indians.
- Uuyan (Jammu and Kashmir) - a fire in the fall area of Mirage 2000, witnesses report an explosion in the air before a collision with the ground. The shape of the destruction is typical for a missile hit.
The incident was the first episode of combat losses of Rafale: judging by the tail number of one of the downed aircraft, the Indians lost the very first French aircraft of this type delivered to the Air Force.
Such losses in one attack with dubious successes are, rather, a failure for the Indian Air Force, wrote Rybar. Amid media pressure in New Delhi, they may try to take another raid, although for this they will at least have to change tactics.
India signs deal to buy 26 Rafale fighter jets from France for $7.4 billion to bolster its Indian Ocean fleet
In April 2025, India signed an agreement to buy 26 Rafale fighters from France for $7.4 billion to strengthen its fleet in the Indian Ocean.
The deal includes 22 single and 4 two-seat aircraft, as well as servicing 36 Rafale fighters.
The fighters will be based on the INS Vikrant aircraft carrier, replacing the outdated Russian-made MiG-29Ks. The deal has been discussed since 2023 after Prime Minister Modi's visit to France.
Comparison of the armies of India and Pakistan
As of April 2025:
Defense budget - $90 billion ⨯ $11 billion
Nuclear bombs - 172 ⨯ 170
Active soldiers - 1.45 million ⨯ 654 thousand.
Soldiers in reserve - 1.155 million ⨯ 550 thousand.
Navy - 294 ⨯ 114
Ballistic missiles - 66 ⨯ 90
Rocket System - 702 ⨯ 602
Total aircraft - 2296 ⨯ 1434
Total helicopters - 869 ⨯ 352
Submarines - 18 ⨯ 8
Fighters - 606 ⨯ 387
Artileria - 3243 ⨯ 3228
Tanks - 4614 ⨯ 3742
Carriers - 2 ⨯ 0
18 submarines
The number of submarine fleets in the countries of the world according to Bloomberg as of March 2025:
- UNITED STATES: 70
- Russia: 63
- China: 61
- Iran: 25
- Japan: 24
- South Korea: 22
- India: 18
- North Korea: 13
- Turkey: 13
- Greece: 10
- United Kingdom: 9
- France: 9
- Vietnam: 9
- Egypt: 8
- Italy: 8
- Pakistan: 8
- Singapore: 6
- Algeria: 6
- Australia: 6
- Germany: 6
- Norway: 6
2024
5th place in terms of the number of tanks - 4201 pcs.
In May 2025, the analytical company Global Firepower published a study in which it listed the countries with the largest number of tanks in service. Read more here.
6th in the world in defense spending - $74 billion
Acquisition of the Russian radar system "Voronezh" for $4 billion
In early December 2024, it became known that India plans to conclude an agreement with Russia on the purchase of an improved Voronezh early warning radar system with a range of more than 8,000 km. The amount of the transaction is estimated at $4 billion. Read more here
India successfully tests its first hypersonic missile with 1,500km range
In mid-November 2024, India successfully tested a long-range hypersonic missile. The missile, developed by the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) and its partners, is designed to deliver payloads over 930 miles (1500km), according to a government statement. Read more here.
2023: Defence spending - 1.9% of GDP
2022
The largest buyer of Russian weapons
At the end of 2022, Russia remains the main source of weapons for India, even though the country has sharply reduced purchases.
"Russia was the largest arms supplier to India in both 2013-17 and 2018-22, but its share of total Indian arms imports decreased from 64% to 45%," the report said.
France bypassed the United States and became the second largest supplier of weapons to India in 2018-22, exports grew by 489%, which led to a decrease in purchases from Russia.
2nd place in the list of the largest importers of weapons
A quarter of the annual defense budget came from R&D
At the end of fiscal 2022, 25% of India's defense budget was for the first time directed to research and development (R&D). This was announced on May 25, 2023 by the Minister of Defense of the country Rajnath Singh.
It is important to ensure that the Defence Research and Development Organisation of India (DRDO) works closely with academia to address the complex challenges facing the state, he said. Such a partnership "will help make India a leading country in the field of defense technology." The minister said as the interaction between DRDO and the institutions developed, the potential of many new R&D areas that would benefit the country was revealed.
 | If we do not conduct research, we will not be able to introduce new technologies - it is R&D that helps turn ordinary materials into valuable resources. This is a key factor in the development of civilizations at all times, "Singh said. |  |
Cooperation between DRDO and academia, as noted, is beneficial to both parties. Thus, the Defense Research and Development Organization receives highly qualified experts from leading institutes throughout the country. In turn, scientific teams can count on financial support from the authorities in the implementation of promising projects.
The Defence Minister also urged industry leaders to come up with cutting-edge solutions to help India evolve from a "mimic" to a "leader" in innovative technology. This is necessary so that the country can effectively solve the problems associated with the current situation in the field of global security. Countries around the world are focusing on technological advances in artificial intelligence, quantum computing and genetics, Singh said.[1]
2021
Military spending - $76.6 billion
Defense spending - 2.66% of GDP
2019: Armaments
2018
Military spending - $66.5 billion
Military budget - 2.4% of GDP
Military budget in% of GDP, 2018:
- 8.8% Saudi Arabia
- 4.3% Israel
- 3.9% Russia
- 3.2% United States
- 2.5% Turkey
- 2.4% India
- 2.3% France
- 1.9% Australia
- 1.9% China
- 1.8% United Kingdom
- 1.3% Canada
- 1.2% Germany
(SIPRI)
2017
Notes
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