Pakistan faces a critical ammunition shortage and failed cyberattacks, exposing deep military and strategic vulnerabilities.
NEW DELHI: Pakistan’s military is grappling with a severe shortage of artillery ammunition, drastically limiting its ability to sustain high-intensity conflict to just four days. This alarming situation stems from recent arms deals with Ukraine that have significantly depleted its war reserves, according to credible sources. The Pakistan Ordnance Factories (POF), responsible for supplying the military, has struggled to replenish its stocks amid skyrocketing global demand and outdated manufacturing capabilities. As a result, Pakistan’s ammunition reserves currently support only 96 hours of sustained combat—rendering the military highly vulnerable in the event of escalation. Pakistan’s military doctrine, which relies heavily on rapid mobilisation and concentrated use of artillery and armoured units to counter India’s numerical superiority, is now under serious strain. The absence of critical 155mm shells for M109 howitzers and 122mm rockets for BM-21 systems severely compromises the army’s operational readiness. Social media posts on X in April 2025 claimed that critical 155mm artillery shells—vital for Pakistan’s artillery-heavy doctrine—were diverted to Ukraine, leaving domestic stockpiles dangerously low. The Pakistan Ordnance Factories (POF), designed to prioritise domestic needs, has struggled to replenish supplies amid surging global demand and outdated production facilities. As a result of the 155mm ammunition sales to Ukraine, all 155mm gun systems—including self-propelled artillery and mounted gun systems (MGS)—are now operating without adequate stocks. This shortage has severe implications for Pakistan’s military doctrine, which relies heavily on artillery and armoured units. Without sufficient ammunition, the Pakistan Army’s ability to blunt an Indian offensive is significantly compromised. Sources say the lack of critical ammunition has caused deep concern—bordering on panic—within the Pakistani military hierarchy. The issue was reportedly discussed during the Special Corps Commanders Conference on May 2, 2025. Former Army Chief General Qamar Javed Bajwa had earlier acknowledged these limitations, stating that Pakistan lacks both the ammunition reserves and the economic strength to engage in a prolonged conflict with India. Intelligence reports further suggest that Pakistan has constructed new ammunition depots near the India-Pakistan border in anticipation of potential conflict. In pursuit of short-term gain, Pakistan exported its ammunition to distant wars—only to find itself stranded, its arsenals empty, and its defences teetering on the edge. The resulting vulnerability could prove fatal in a future crisis. Pakistan’s worsening economic crisis—marked by high inflation, soaring debt, and declining foreign exchange reserves—has further crippled military operations. The army has been forced to cut rations, suspend training exercises, and cancel scheduled war games due to fuel shortages. Meanwhile, Pakistan has faced embarrassment on another front. On May 1, Pakistan-sponsored hacker groups such as “Cyber Group HOAX1337” and “National Cyber Crew” made unsuccessful attempts to breach Indian websites. These hacking efforts were quickly detected and neutralised by Indian cybersecurity agencies. Among the latest provocations were cyberattacks targeting the websites of Army Public Schools in Nagrota and Sunjuwan, where hackers attempted to deface pages with messages mocking the victims of the recent Pahalgam terror attack. In another incident, a healthcare portal for exservicemen was defaced—signalling Pakistan’s growing frustration. Repeated attempts by Pakistan-based hackers to attack Indian websites associated with children, elderly veterans, and other civilians represent a new low. Targeting platforms that serve veterans and their families reflects Pakistan’s ongoing use of unethical tactics in information warfare. The hacking of the Army Institute of Hotel Management’s website and platforms connected to Indian Air Force veterans further illustrates the Pakistani establishment’s intent to provoke and escalate tensions in the digital domain. These brazen cyberattacks are part of a broader pattern of provocation by Pakistan, which has long relied on terrorism and information warfare against India. It appears Pakistan is once again testing India’s restraint and patienc