New Delhi [India]: Pakistan’s military readiness has reportedly been compromised by a critical shortage of artillery ammunition, limiting its capacity to sustain high-intensity conflict to just four days, sources revealed. The depletion stems largely from arms deals with Ukraine, which have drained vital war reserves.
According to military analysts, the Pakistan Ordnance Factories (POF) has been unable to replenish supplies due to outdated infrastructure and surging global demand. The shortage impacts the availability of 155mm shells for M109 howitzers and 122mm rockets for BM-21 systems, both central to Pakistan’s conventional warfighting strategy against India.
Social media posts on X (formerly Twitter) in April 2025 suggested that critical 155mm artillery shells were diverted to Ukraine, leaving domestic stockpiles dangerously low.
The POF, which is meant to prioritize internal military needs, has struggled to keep up. Sources say that all 155mm artillery systems, including self-propelled and mobile gun systems, are now facing critical shortages.
This situation poses a severe risk to Pakistan’s military doctrine, which is centered around rapid mobilization and heavy reliance on artillery and armored units. Analysts say the lack of sufficient ammunition would drastically weaken Pakistan’s ability to counter an Indian offensive.
The issue was reportedly discussed at length during a Special Corps Commanders Conference held on May 2, 2025. Sources described the mood within the Pakistani military hierarchy as “deeply concerned, bordering on panic.”
Former Army Chief General Qamar Javed Bajwa had earlier acknowledged these limitations, remarking that Pakistan lacks both the ammunition and the economic bandwidth to sustain a prolonged war with India.
Amid this strategic vulnerability, Pakistan has constructed new ammunition depots near the India-Pakistan border, hinting at fears of an impending conflict. But analysts warn that Pakistan’s short-term military exports have created a long-term vulnerability: “Pakistan sailed its ammunition to distant wars, only to find itself stranded, its arsenals empty, and its defences teetering on the edge.”
Adding to its woes, Pakistan’s economic crisis—characterized by skyrocketing inflation, mounting debt, and low foreign reserves—has forced the military to cut back on rations, cancel exercises, and suspend war games due to fuel shortages.
Meanwhile, Pakistan’s frustrations have spilled into the digital space. On May 1, Pakistan-sponsored hacker groups such as “Cyber Group HOAX1337” and “National Cyber Crew” attempted to breach Indian websites, including:
- Army Public School Nagrota
- Sunjuwan
- A healthcare portal for ex-servicemen
- The Army Institute of Hotel Management
- Indian Air Force veterans’ websites
The attacks aimed to mock victims of the recent Pahalgam terror attack, but were swiftly neutralised by Indian cybersecurity agencies.
Officials described these cyber intrusions as unethical provocations, with Indian analysts warning that Pakistan appears to be testing India’s restraint by targeting platforms connected to children, veterans, and non-combatant communities.
These actions follow a pattern of Pakistan’s hybrid warfare strategy, involving terrorism and information warfare to destabilise India.