Pakistan’s armed forces are grappling with a critical shortage of artillery ammunition, severely undermining their combat readiness. According to sources, the country’s warfighting capabilities are now limited to just 96 hours of high-intensity conflict. This alarming situation stems from Pakistan's recent arms exports to Ukraine, which have significantly depleted its domestic reserves.

The Pakistan Ordnance Factories (POF), responsible for supplying ammunition to the military, has struggled to replenish stockpiles due to outdated infrastructure and increased global demand. As a result, Pakistan is now unable to adequately supply vital munitions such as 155mm shells for M109 howitzers and 122mm rockets for BM-21 systems key components of its artillery-heavy military doctrine.

Pakistan’s strategy, which relies on rapid mobilization to counter India’s superior manpower, heavily depends on the availability of artillery and armored firepower. However, social media reports from April 2025 suggest that large quantities of 155mm ammunition were diverted to Ukraine, leaving critical shortages in Pakistan’s own arsenal.

The gravity of the situation was reportedly a key topic of concern during the Special Corps Commanders Conference held on May 2, 2025. Senior military leadership is said to be increasingly alarmed, bordering on panic. Former Army Chief General Qamar Javed Bajwa had previously acknowledged these vulnerabilities, admitting that Pakistan lacks the ammunition and financial strength for a sustained conflict with India. Intelligence reports also suggest that Pakistan has constructed ammunition depots near the India-Pakistan border in preparation for potential hostilities.

This ammunition crisis comes amid broader economic turmoil. High inflation, surging debt, and dwindling foreign exchange reserves have forced the Pakistani military to cut back on essentials, suspend training exercises, and halt war games due to fuel shortages. The strategic decision to prioritize arms sales over self-sufficiency has now left Pakistan exposed, both militarily and economically.

Compounding these challenges are renewed cyber offensives. On May 1, Pakistan-based hacker groups—“Cyber Group HOAX1337” and “National Cyber Crew” launched unsuccessful attempts to breach Indian websites. Indian cybersecurity agencies swiftly detected and neutralized the intrusions. Among the targeted sites were those of the Army Public School in Nagrota and Sunjuwan, which were attacked with the intent to mock the victims of the recent Pahalgam terror attack. Additionally, a website providing healthcare support to ex-servicemen was defaced, revealing a disturbing trend of targeting vulnerable groups such as children, veterans, and senior citizens.

Other attacks included the defacement of the Army Institute of Hotel Management’s website and platforms linked to Indian Air Force veterans, underscoring Pakistan’s continued efforts to provoke India in the digital domain. These cyberattacks form part of Pakistan’s long-standing hybrid warfare strategy, combining terrorism with digital disruption. The recent provocations reflect both a growing desperation and an attempt to test India's strategic patience.