New Delhi: Amid heightened tensions with India, Pakistani defense forces are facing a critical shortage of arms, which can last for just four days. The shortage of artillery has limited Pakistan’s war-fighting capabilities. The shortage is mainly due to recent arms deals with Ukraine.
According to a report published by the news agency ANI, the Pakistan Ordnance Factories (POF), which is responsible for supplying weapons to the military, has struggled to provide adequate supplies amid global demands and outdated production of weapons. Because of this, the artillery in Pakistan can only sustain for 96 hours in case of any high-intensity war.
Lack of weapons among Pakistani defense forces
The report further said that due to insufficient 155mm shells for its M109 howitzers or 122mm rockets for BM-21 systems, the Pakistani military has extremely limited potential to face Indian armed forces. The lack of weapons among the defense forces has resulted in panic in the Pakistani Military hierarchy. The issue was also raised at the Special Corps Commanders Conference recently.
During his tenure, former Pakistani army chief General Qamar Javed Bajwa accepted the limitations. He had said that his country lacked the ammunition and economic strength to engage India in a prolonged conflict. The government has also constructed ammunition depots near the India-Pakistan border amid rising tensions.
Reasons behind Pakistan army’s empty arsenal
In recent times, Pakistan has transported its weapons to other countries, making itself almost empty of its arsenal. This may prove fatal to the crisis if the need arises. Notably, the country’s economic crisis, due to increasing debt, high inflation, and foreign exchange reserves, has affected Pakistan’s operational capabilities. The army has already cut down on rations, stopped scheduled war games, and suspended military exercises.
