Call to Boost Defense Budget and Armed Forces Salaries & Pensions

It is important to note some key facts regarding defense budgets and military capabilities: Pakistan’s annual defense budget stands at approximately $7 billion, whereas India’s is around $86 billion—more than ten times larger, ranking as the world’s fifth-largest defense budget. A single Pakistani J-10C aircraft costs roughly $40 million, while an Indian Rafale jet is priced at about $240 million. The Pakistan Navy’s budget is near $900 million, in contrast to the Indian Navy’s INS Vikrant alone, which commands a budget of approximately $31 billion. Pakistan allocates about $1.7 billion annually to new weapons procurement, compared to India’s $22 billion. On a per-soldier basis, Pakistan spends roughly $11,363, whereas India spends about $57,333—over five times more. Pakistan’s annual military pension budget is around $2 billion, while India’s is close to $17 billion. Pakistan fields about 1,400 tanks, while India has ordered 1,700 tanks of a single advanced type.

Since 2012, India has increased its defense budget by nearly $748 billion and acquired some of the world’s most advanced aircraft and air defense systems. Yet, despite these advantages in budget, size, population, and weaponry, India was unable to prevail in the 87-hour war against Pakistan. Against this backdrop, the Pakistan Army’s success in Operation Bunyan Marsoos stands as a remarkable achievement.

The operation not only showcased Pakistan’s military strength and strategic acumen but also underscored the evolving character of 21st-century warfare. While the nation celebrated the armed forces’ operational excellence in the face of Indian aggression, it also faced a sobering reality: maintaining such capabilities requires a substantial and sustained increase in defense funding. The post-operation environment presents both challenges and opportunities to reassess Pakistan’s defense budget, address critical gaps, and modernize its forces to meet contemporary threats and technological demands.

The events leading up to Operation Bunyan Marsoos were not isolated. They were the result of escalating hostilities, including cross-border ceasefire violations, cyber attacks, and ultimately direct missile strikes on Pakistani cities and airbases. Pakistan’s swift, precise, and multidimensional response effectively neutralized key Indian military assets and disrupted their cyber infrastructure. However, this confrontation revealed the complexity of modern warfare—a blend of conventional strikes, cyber and electronic warfare, space-based surveillance, and AI-enabled command systems.

This new strategic environment requires more than operational readiness; it demands technological parity, resilient infrastructure, and rapid deployment capabilities. To secure these goals, Pakistan must significantly expand its defense budget to ensure preparedness, deterrence, and the protection of national sovereignty. Operation Bunyan Marsoos employed cutting-edge systems such as Fatah-1 tactical missiles, J-10C fighter jets, and AI-assisted targeting technology, highlighting the crucial role of advanced capabilities in future conflicts. These systems performed exceptionally well; however, given India’s overwhelming conventional military advantage—highlighted by their S-400 missile systems, BrahMos cruise missiles, and expanding cyber warfare capabilities—Pakistan must urgently accelerate the modernization of all its military branches. This entails acquiring next-generation fighter jets and UAVs, expanding precision-guided missile programs, upgrading naval capabilities to address regional maritime challenges, and developing autonomous and AI-driven battlefield technologies. Such advancements require sustained, long-term investment that can only be supported by a larger, well-structured defense budget.

A key feature of Operation Bunyan Marsoos was Pakistan’s cyber offensive, which temporarily disabled India’s power grid and disrupted its military command systems. However, cyber warfare is a fast-evolving domain where future conflicts may begin—and end—in cyberspace. To maintain an edge, Pakistan must invest heavily in cyber defense infrastructure, recruit and train elite cyber personnel, and develop indigenous encryption, surveillance, and offensive cyber technologies. Achieving this demands not only technological upgrades but also robust institutional frameworks and R&D funding, all necessitating an expanded defense allocation.

The threat posed by missile strikes—as evidenced by the Indian attacks on Pakistani airbases—highlights the urgent need for a strong, layered missile defense system. While Pakistan’s current air defense is capable, it must evolve to counter hypersonic, cruise, and ballistic missile threats more effectively. Immediate priorities include expanding long-range surface-to-air missile systems, developing indigenous early warning systems, and enhancing satellite surveillance and tracking capabilities. Strategic deterrence, especially within the framework of a nuclear doctrine, relies heavily on credible second-strike capabilities and the survivability of assets, both of which require substantial resources.

No military can sustain success without maintaining the morale, welfare, and professionalism of its personnel. The intense operational demands of Operation Bunyan Marsoos placed extraordinary strain on officers and soldiers alike. To preserve readiness and reward excellence, the defense budget must also support competitive salaries and benefits, improved housing and healthcare, and comprehensive post-retirement pensions and support programs. Investing in human capital ensures that Pakistan retains its most talented and dedicated service members, ready to confront any challenge.

It is important to note that Pakistan’s defense spending has historically averaged around 2.5% of GDP, significantly lower than regional rivals. India allocates approximately 3.5–4% of its GDP to defense, with a budget exceeding $70 billion, while China invests over $200 billion, heavily focused on technology, cyber capabilities, and space-based systems. To maintain strategic stability and credible deterrence, Pakistan must narrow this funding gap. A moderate increase to 3.5–4% of GDP—matching or nearing India’s level—would remain sustainable while substantially strengthening Pakistan’s defense posture.

Critics of increased defense spending often point to fiscal deficits and pressing socio-economic needs. Yet national security forms the foundation for economic development—without a secure environment, sustainable investment, trade, and social progress are impossible. Furthermore, the IMF’s recent approval of a $1 billion bailout following the stability achieved after Operation Bunyan Marsoos demonstrates how military success and strategic clarity can inspire economic confidence. When properly audited and transparently managed, increased defense funding will bolster national resilience rather than weaken it.

Pakistan’s defense budget should be increased to ensure national security in the face of evolving regional threats and internal challenges. A strong defense is vital for maintaining sovereignty and stability. To support this increase without burdening the economy, the government should focus on reducing non-development expenditures such as unnecessary administrative costs and luxury spending. Redirecting these funds toward defense will strengthen the country’s security while maintaining fiscal responsibility.

Operation Bunyan Marsoos was not just a military triumph; it was a wake-up call. It showcased Pakistan’s capacity to defend its sovereignty while revealing the enormous demands of modern warfare. As threats continue to evolve, so too must our response. A substantial and sustained increase in the defense budget, along with better salaries and pensions for the armed forces, is not a luxury—it is an absolute necessity. To achieve modernization, maintain deterrence, enhance cyber capabilities, and ensure the welfare of our personnel, Pakistan must commit significant investment to its military. Only then can victories like Operation Bunyan Marsoos become part of a consistent, long-term strategy for national strength, security, and sovereignty. When our adversaries possess the latest technology, competing with outdated means is impossible. We must equip ourselves with cutting-edge technology to defeat our enemies, and that requires proper funding for defense and the armed forces. It is the public’s demand to increase the defense budget and improve salaries and pensions to effectively address all internal and external threats facing Pakistan.