Pakistan's military is reportedly facing an alarming depletion of artillery ammunition, sufficient to sustain combat operations for no more than 96 hours, according to a report by news agency ANI.
The shortage has raised serious concerns within the Pakistani military establishment about the country’s ability to endure even a short-duration high-intensity conflict.
The report attributes the crisis to Pakistan’s recent arms transfers to Ukraine, particularly the export of 155mm artillery shells, which are critical to the army’s artillery-centric doctrine. The exports were driven by rising global demand and attractive contracts, but have significantly drained Pakistan’s strategic reserves, leaving systems such as the M109 howitzers and BM-21 rocket launchers understocked.
A senior defence analyst told ANI, “Pakistan sailed its ammunition to distant wars, only to find itself stranded, its arsenals empty, and its defences teetering on the edge. The pursuit of short-term economic gain has inflicted a long-term strategic wound.”
The development comes amidst rising tensions between India and Pakistan following the 22 April terrorist attack in Jammu and Kashmir’s Pahalgam, which left 26 people, primarily tourists, dead. In response, India announced a slew of punitive measures against Islamabad, including suspending the Indus Waters Treaty, reducing diplomatic staff, cancelling visas issued to Pakistani nationals, and shutting Indian airspace to Pakistani carriers.
According to ANI, the gravity of the ammunition shortage was discussed as a top agenda item at a Special Corps Commanders Conference convened on 2 May. The internal military assessment, as per sources cited in the report, suggests a situation severe enough to provoke concern “up to some limits of panic.”
The Pakistan Ordnance Factories (POF), which serves as the principal arms and munitions producer for the Pakistani military, has reportedly been unable to replenish depleted stocks. Officials familiar with the matter told ANI that ageing infrastructure and limited production capabilities have hindered efforts to restock, despite POF’s official emphasis on prioritising domestic needs.
Former Pakistan Army Chief General Qamar Javed Bajwa had previously warned of the country's limited capacity to wage prolonged warfare, pointing to economic and logistical shortcomings. The current economic crisis, marked by soaring inflation, crippling debt, and declining foreign exchange reserves, has further exacerbated military constraints. Budgetary limitations have forced the armed forces to suspend training exercises, reduce troop rations, and cancel scheduled war games due to fuel shortages.
In an apparent bid to shore up its defences, intelligence reports indicate that Pakistan has begun constructing new ammunition depots near the Indian border. However, military analysts argue that without adequate stockpiles, such infrastructure adds negligible strategic value.
During a recent visit to the Tilla Field Firing Range in Punjab's Jhelum district, Pakistan's Army Chief General Asim Munir was seen atop a tank, rallying troops with chants of "long live Pakistan." The image, widely circulated, contrasts sharply with the severe logistical challenges now confronting the military leadership.
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