NEW DELHI: If a war between India and Pakistan breaks out, it may only last for four days due to Pakistan’s “dangerously low” stockpiles of artillery ammunition, news agency ANI reported citing sources.
Pakistan ordnance factories are struggling to replenish supplies amid surging global demand and outdated production facilities. Additionally, recent arms deals with Ukraine have also drained Pakistan’s war reserves.
According to sources, Pakistan’s ammunition reserves can sustain only 96 hours of high-intensity conflict.
Pakistan’s military doctrine, which focuses on swift deployment to address India’s larger forces, depends heavily on artillery and armoured divisions. The army’s defensive capabilities are significantly reduced without adequate 155mm shells for M109 howitzers or 122mm rockets for BM-21 systems.
According to ANI, social media posts on X in April 2025 indicated that essential 155mm artillery ammunition, crucial for Pakistan’s artillery-focused strategy, was sent to Ukraine, resulting in critically low reserves.
The transfer of 155mm ammunition to Ukraine has left all corresponding artillery systems, including self-propelled and MGS units, with insufficient ammunition stocks.
The ammunition deficit significantly affects Pakistan’s military preparedness, which depends substantially on artillery and armoured units. The shortage severely impacts the army’s capacity to resist offensive from India.
Reports indicate that the Pakistani Military leadership is seriously worried, bordering on anxiety. This matter was addressed during the Special Corps Commanders Conference on May 2, 2025, alongside other issues.
Earlier, former Army Chief General Qamar Javed Bajwa had noted these constraints, indicating Pakistan’s insufficient ammunition and economic capacity for sustained conflict with India.
Pakistan has established ammunition storage facilities near the India-Pakistan border in preparation for possible hostilities, sources told ANI.
Pakistan’s decision to export ammunition has left its defence capabilities significantly weakened, with depleted stockpiles potentially compromising its security in future conflicts.
Pakistan’s financial difficulties, including high inflation, increasing debt, and reduced foreign currency reserves, have affected military operations. The army has reduced food supplies, stopped military drills, and cancelled war games due to fuel limitations.
Additionally, Pakistan faces embarrassment as its supported hacker groups “Cyber Group HOAX1337” and “National Cyber Crew” failed to compromise Indian websites on May 1. Security agencies successfully blocked these attempts.