The massive 250 million population of Pakistan is able to raise 80,000 deployed in Saudi Arabia if needed and financed by Saudi Arabia. Growing up in Pakistan, I had some encounters with the Pakistan Rangers, which is just a paramilitary force, and I noticed even they were very professional and competent in every way. Pakistan also raised 10,000 troops to guard the CPEC projects with China. And the military leadership of Pakistan, for most of Pakistan's history, is along the lines of the Western education and officers getting education in the American and the British educational systems.
India's Operation Sindoor 2025 provided Pakistan the launchpad. This war is providing Pakistan a rocket from the launchpad!
Pakistani no doubt have the will,
they just need the means to carry out the mission. Even with just a squadron of J-10s, the PAF edged out the entire Indian Air Force. If properly equipped,
the Pakistan military can performed second to none, as has been shown time and time again.
This is the time for the Pak military to craft an image of what it needs and what missions it can carry out. If the US is effectively withdrawing, and someone is going to have to enforce a free and open Hormuz and Red Sea, then we need to look at a much larger PN, equipped with world class assets. A destroyer such as the TF-2000 for air defense and a large fleet of multiple Jinnah class frigates that have the acoustic signature and size to operate as mine sweepers and escorts, should any power threaten Saudi shipping. Same goes for air power with an immediate purchase of J-10s (range and demonstrated capabilities) as well as funding PAF J-35s for deployment to Saudi Arabia. A large helicopter force for moving troops around would also be necessary, but so would investment into building under mountain missile cities.
For Pakistan, unlike with the proposed participation in the Yemen conflict, this is about a robust enforcement force to
maintain a new status quo. Defensive, but with real teeth. Not about crushing anyone but containing the effects upon the Saudis, and their economic plans.
Which is why this should be more than just equipment acquisition but also then build up the defense industry in Pakistan and Saudi to be able to equip the troops domestically.
This is the time for the Saudi to accept there is no economy without security, but at least with Pakistan, it is a diamond in the rough, very mismanaged economically, in need of proper economic management and investment. Though, it will yield long term sustainable ROI, economically and militarily, as claimed by neutral analysis by Goldman Sachs.
Saudis get the ball rolling with Pakistan, push ahead with negotiating peace between Pakistan and Afghanistan, and Saudis will have access to trillions in minerals across not just both nations but central Asia. Saudi will have locked themselves into the economic diversification they are seeking.
