Pakistan’s top military spokesman has openly acknowledged India’s growing military capabilities while stressing that Islamabad is not engaged in an arms race with New Delhi. Lt General Ahmed Sharif Chaudhury, speaking in an interview with Al Arabiya English, was asked about India’s advances in air defence, missile systems and conventional strike capabilities, as reported by Firstpost.

He responded by saying that Pakistan respects Indian military capabilities and understands New Delhi’s desire to invest heavily in its defence arsenal.

Chaudhury emphasised that Pakistan is focused on defensive capabilities and has no aggressive design against any country. He stated that while India is spending significant resources on building up its military arsenal, Pakistan does not view this as a competition and is not pursuing an arms race with India.

Pakistan army's official military spokesperson

The remarks come at a time when India is expanding its indigenous defence manufacturing base while also working with established partners on advanced military platforms. India’s push has gained momentum since Operation Sindoor, with greater emphasis on strengthening capabilities relevant to a potential two-front security scenario.

In May 2025, India laid the foundation stone for the ₹1,460 crore Navdurga defence testing range. In July 2026, under Project Kusha, India conducted the first flight test of an indigenous long-range surface-to-air missile program, planned to have a maximum range of up to 400 km.

Last month, the government approved the transfer of DRDO technologies for conventional missile systems to Indian companies, giving the private sector a larger role in development and production. India’s air defence network includes systems such as Akash, Akash-NG, QRSAM and VSHORADS. 

BrahMos remains an Indo-Russian program, while MRSAM is being developed through India-Israel cooperation. The Agni series and K-series submarine-launched ballistic missiles form part of India’s nuclear deterrent and are separate from conventional missile technologies being opened up for wider industrial participation.

Alongside indigenous programs, India is expanding defence cooperation with Russia. During Russian President Vladimir Putin’s visit for the 18th BRICS Summit, reports indicated Moscow offered an advanced engine to support modernisation of India’s Su-30MKI fleet.

India and Russia are discussing an estimated ₹91,666 crore “Super Sukhoi” upgrade program covering nearly 260 Su-30MKIs, with the initial phase expected to involve 84 aircraft. Russia has also proposed joint production of Su-57 fifth-generation fighter jets in India, along with additional S-400 air defence systems and the newer S-500 system. Moscow has further offered to establish an S-400 maintenance, repair and overhaul facility in India.

At the same time, India is pursuing its own fifth-generation fighter program through the indigenous Advanced Medium Combat Aircraft.

The contrast is stark: while Pakistan continues to rely heavily on external military partnerships, particularly with China and Turkey, India is attempting to combine foreign cooperation with a steadily expanding domestic defence-industrial base. This dual approach reflects New Delhi’s determination to strengthen self-reliance while maintaining strategic partnerships.

India’s trajectory highlights a deliberate effort to balance indigenous innovation with external collaboration, ensuring resilience and operational superiority. Pakistan’s acknowledgement of India’s growing firepower underscores the shifting dynamics in South Asia, where India’s defence modernisation is increasingly shaping the regional security environment.

Agencies