Ammunition crisis hits Pakistan Army as tensions with India mount

A report by ANI, citing defence sources, indicates the issue has become a major point of concern for the country’s military leadership.

Sources say the acute shortage of critical ammunition has caused deep concern—bordering on panic—within Pakistan’s military leadership.

Pakistan has sufficient artillery ammunition to sustain only 96 hours of intense combat, according to the report—a revelation that reportedly took centre stage during the Special Corps Commanders Conference on May 2, reported ANI.

Pakistan’s strategic reserves have been significantly depleted due to recent arms exports to Ukraine, particularly 155mm artillery shells, which have been in high demand amid the ongoing war in Europe.

While the deals were financially attractive, they’ve reportedly left Pakistan’s M109 howitzers and BM-21 Grad rocket launchers critically understocked.

POF capacity woes deepen the crisis

Attempts to rebuild the arsenal have been undermined by the limited capacity of Pakistan Ordnance Factories (POF), the country’s primary munitions supplier.

Despite claims that the army’s needs are being prioritised, sources told ANI that outdated infrastructure and sluggish output at POF have failed to meet even domestic requirements.

“The pursuit of short-term economic gain has inflicted a long-term strategic wound,” a senior defence analyst told ANI, calling Pakistan’s decision to export critical munitions without securing its own reserves a grave miscalculation.

Economic strain, training cuts and fuel crisis

The report also highlights how Pakistan’s worsening economic crisis—characterised by runaway inflation, dwindling forex reserves, and soaring debt—has further eroded its military preparedness.

Defence spending has been hit, leading to scaled-back training drills, reduced rations, and the cancellation of planned war games due to fuel shortages.

While intelligence inputs suggest that new ammunition depots are being constructed near the Indian border, defence experts believe these would offer limited strategic value unless matched by adequate stockpiling.

Diplomatic standoff intensifies post-Pahalgam

The revelations come as India and Pakistan remain locked in a deepening diplomatic and trade standoff following the Pahalgam attack, which left 26 civilians dead, most of them tourists.

India has blamed Pakistan-based groups for the assault and initiated sweeping retaliatory measures.

New Delhi has suspended the Indus Waters Treaty, shut down the Integrated Check Post at Attari, expelled Pakistani diplomats, revoked all visas issued to Pakistani nationals, and closed Indian airspace to Pakistani aircraft.

Islamabad responded by banning Indian-flagged vessels from docking at its ports, mirroring India’s move to bar Pakistani ships and suspend all imports from the neighbouring country.

With a military unprepared for prolonged conflict and diplomatic ties rapidly unravelling, analysts warn the standoff could escalate dangerously unless de-escalation efforts are initiated soon.