Nuclear neighbors and a two‑front threat: Why India needs a rocket force

India Eyes Specialized Rocket Force Amid Regional Tensions

In a significant shift for its military strategy, India is actively considering the creation of a dedicated rocket-cum-missile force. This comes straight from Army Chief General Upendra Dwivedi, who highlighted the pressing need during recent public remarks. With both Pakistan and China having established their own rocket forces, India sees this as essential to counter the evolving threats along its borders. The idea gains urgency from recent conflicts, including Operation Sindoor in 2025, where Pakistan's vulnerabilities were exposed, prompting them to hastily form the Army Rocket Force Command modeled after China's People's Liberation Army Rocket Force.

The regional security landscape has changed dramatically. China has long maintained a formidable rocket force capable of long-range strikes, while Pakistan, reeling from India's decisive actions last year, rushed to build its own. Lessons from global conflicts like those in Ukraine and the Middle East, dominated by non-contact warfare through missile barrages, have underscored the importance of such specialized units. Iran's rocket force, with its underground networks and ability to overwhelm defenses like Israel's Iron Dome, serves as a stark example of what integrated rocket-missile commands can achieve.

Military Reforms and Indigenous Advancements Driving the Push

"We are looking towards a rocket-missile force because Pakistan has established a rocket force, and China has also created such a force. It is the need of the hour," General Upendra Dwivedi said, emphasizing the evolving regional security situation that demands a unified command for long-range rockets and missiles.

India's Army is undergoing sweeping reforms to adapt to multi-domain warfare. General Dwivedi outlined a spiral development approach focused on organizational changes rather than just new equipment. This includes forming Rudra Brigades for high-tempo operations, Bhairav Battalions for agility, Shaktibaan regiments, and Divyastra batteries that integrate unmanned aerial systems for extended reach and real-time targeting. Ashni platoons are being designed to boost precision strikes at the tactical level. These steps aim for an optimal balance between combat forces and support elements, enhancing overall potency.

Homegrown weapons are at the heart of this transformation. Systems like the Pinaka long-range guided rocket, with a 120 km range, and contracts for missiles reaching 300-450 km, are already in play. The Suryastra Universal Rocket Launcher, mounted on a mobile 6x6 vehicle, offers precision strikes up to 300 km and flexibility with multiple rocket types. At Republic Day 2026 preparations, advanced platforms like BrahMos, Akash, and the new hypersonic glide missile LR-AShM are set to debut, showcasing India's growing self-reliance in defense technology.

Hypersonic capabilities mark a leap forward. The LR-AShM, with its two-stage solid propulsion, achieves speeds starting at Mach 10 and glides with maneuvers that evade radars. Drone technologies, including Drone Shakti for forward-area production and Nagastra loitering munitions, add layers of precision and disruption. These developments position India among nations mastering high-speed, hard-to-detect weapons, vital against adversaries with similar tech.

Strategic Imperative of a Two-Front Defense Posture

Faced with nuclear neighbors on two fronts, India cannot afford gaps in its deterrence. Pakistan's new rocket command directly responds to battlefield lessons from 2025, aiming to enhance long-range strikes. China's established force poses ongoing challenges along the northern borders. A dedicated Indian rocket force would centralize command of assets like Agni, BrahMos, Prithvi, and Pralay, enabling swift, coordinated responses in potential two-front scenarios.

Air Force expansions, targeting 42 squadrons by 2035 with indigenous jets like Tejas and advanced air defenses such as S-400 and Project Kusha, complement this. Hypersonic interceptors under development by DRDO will counter enemy glide vehicles and cruise missiles. Together, these form a robust shield and spear, ensuring India maintains strategic balance. The rocket force would streamline operations, reducing response times and maximizing firepower in high-intensity conflicts.

This move aligns with broader doctrines updating for multi-domain success across land, air, sea, cyber, and space. By mirroring neighbors' structures while leveraging indigenous innovation, India aims to deter aggression and secure its frontiers. The Army's ongoing refinements promise a more agile, efficient force ready for modern warfare's demands.

In summary, India's pursuit of a rocket force addresses the two-front threats from Pakistan and China, builds on ongoing military reforms, and harnesses cutting-edge indigenous weapons to strengthen national security in an era of missile-centric conflicts.