During a four-day crisis in May 2025, India struck Pakistani air bases with BrahMos missiles, targeting runways, parked aircraft, and critical infrastructure. Islamabad deliberately withheld its Babur cruise missile — a dual-capable system — not due to a lack of options, but to avoid signaling nuclear escalation.
The decision reflects an evolving South Asian conflict logic, where restraint is as strategic as strike capability. War on the Rocks argues this new approach to limited war may not remain limited, as the very acts of withholding weapons create dangerous ambiguity about red lines.
Allied and partner nations have closely monitored these dynamics, though no formal NATO or UN response is detailed. The analysis suggests rival powers in the region are recalibrating their deterrence postures based on Pakistan's demonstrated restraint.
No contract values or budget figures are provided in the source. The piece focuses on doctrinal shifts rather than procurement costs, though it implies continued investment in dual-use systems by both sides.
Historical context is thin, but the author warns that repeated crises could erode the norm of restraint, making future escalation more likely. The analysis does not specify whether Pakistan's strategy is sustainable over multiple encounters.