Inside Pakistan's Armed Forces: Troops, Weapons and Nuclear Capability

Pakistan is strengthening its defence partnerships with Gulf countries as it negotiates an expanded military cooperation agreement with Kuwait in exchange for energy collaboration and investment. The move follows a mutual defence pact signed with Saudi Arabia last year, with several other Gulf nations reportedly seeking closer security ties with Islamabad.

Pakistan remains one of Asia's largest military powers, ranking fourth on the continent in active military personnel after China, India and North Korea. The country's armed forces comprise about 660,000 active personnel, including 560,000 in the Army, 70,000 in the Air Force, and 30,000 in the Navy, with an additional 3,200 Marines.

The Pakistani Army operates more than 2,570 main battle tanks and over 4,600 artillery systems, providing substantial ground combat capability.

Its Air Force fields more than 420 combat aircraft, including U.S.-made F-16 fighter jets, Chinese J-10C fighters, and the domestically co-produced JF-17 Thunder.

Pakistan's Navy consists of eight submarines and 12 frigates, while its missile programme includes a range of surface-to-surface and air-to-air missile systems.

As one of the world's nuclear-armed states, Pakistan is estimated to possess around 170 nuclear warheads, making its military one of the most strategically significant in South Asia.

The latest defence negotiations underscore Pakistan's growing role as a regional security partner while reinforcing its military capabilities amid evolving geopolitical dynamics.

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