India and Pakistan Ramp Up Drone, Fighter Jet Purchases

In the aftermath of a brief but intense conflict in May, India and Pakistan are ramping up acquisitions of drones and fighter jets, further escalating their decades-long arms race. The two nations, which have clashed repeatedly over the disputed Kashmir region, are now shifting focus toward advanced military technologies.

The Kashmir dispute, rooted in the partition of British India in 1947, has fueled two wars and numerous skirmishes. The first Indo-Pakistani war resulted in a United Nations-brokered ceasefire and a divided region, while a second war in 1965 and a conflict in 1999 reaffirmed the unresolved status of Kashmir. Both New Delhi and Islamabad continue to assert claims over the entire territory.

Tensions flared again in April 2025 after militants killed 26 Indian tourists in Indian-administered Kashmir. India responded with missile strikes on Pakistan and Pakistani-administered Kashmir, leading to a four-day exchange of missiles, drones, and artillery beginning May 8.

In the wake of the conflict, both countries have accelerated efforts to modernize their military capabilities. Pakistan has strengthened defense partnerships with Turkey and China to enhance its unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) production, while India has allocated US$4.6 billion for emergency military procurement, according to Reuters.

India is prioritizing the development of a state-of-the-art stealth fighter jet, led by the Aeronautical Development Agency. The project, part of a broader defense initiative, aims to involve private contractors to reduce reliance on state-owned Hindustan Aeronautics Ltd. Additionally, New Delhi is investing up to US$470 million in UAV advancements over the next two years, according to the Drone Federation of India.

Pakistan, meanwhile, is fast-tracking UAV production through collaborations with China and Turkey. A partnership between Pakistan’s National Aerospace Science and Technology Park and Turkish defense contractor Baykar has enabled rapid assembly of YIHA-III drones, completed within two to three days. Pakistan has also incorporated China’s J-10 fighter jet into its air force, further enhancing its aerial capabilities.

Experts suggest the growing reliance on drones represents a shift in military strategy for both nations. “Drone strikes offer a way to exert pressure without immediately risking a large-scale escalation,” noted Walter Ladwig III, political scientist, King’s College London.