ISLAMABAD: Indian Army Chief General Upendra Dwivedi has emphasized thepressing requirement for India to establish a dedicated rocket force,pointing directly to similar structures already operational in Pakistan andChina. Speaking during a high-profile press conference in New Delhi onJanuary 13, 2026, the Army Chief described this development as the demandof the current strategic environment. His remarks come against the backdropof recent regional tensions, including the 2025 India-Pakistan conflictwhere advanced rocket systems demonstrated significant battlefield impact.This statement has sparked discussions on potential shifts in South Asia’sconventional military balance.
The Army Chief’s observation stems from a broader assessment of modernwarfare trends, where long-range precision fires have become central todeterrence and operational success. General Dwivedi noted that Pakistanmaintains a specialized rocket force command, modeled in part after China’sPeople’s Liberation Army Rocket Force. He stressed that such formationsintegrate rockets and missiles for enhanced strike capabilities, allowingrapid, accurate engagements at extended ranges. In India’s case, headvocated for a similar dedicated entity to consolidate systems likePinaka, Pralay, and BrahMos under unified command for greater effectiveness.
Recent events have underscored the relevance of these capabilities. Duringthe May 2025 conflict, often referred to as Operation Sindoor in Indianaccounts, Pakistan deployed Fatah-series guided multiple rocket launchers.The Fatah-II, with a reported range of around 400 kilometers and highprecision through inertial and satellite guidance, was used to targetmilitary installations. Reports indicate these systems penetrated deep,challenging air defenses and forcing dispersal of assets. Indian sourcesacknowledge the shock effect, prompting accelerated efforts to counter suchthreats through indigenous developments.
India’s response has involved expanding its own rocket artillery portfolio.The Pinaka multi-barrel rocket system, originally with a 75-kilometerrange, has seen upgrades to 120 kilometers, with ongoing tests for variantsreaching 150 kilometers or more. Contracts for extended-range versions aimto address gaps in deep-strike options. Additionally, systems like Pralayoffer tactical ballistic capabilities up to 500 kilometers, while BrahMosprovides supersonic cruise missile precision. General Dwivedi highlightedsuccessful trials of the 120-kilometer Pinaka as evidence of progress, yetinsisted on the need for a formalized rocket force to optimize integrationand readiness.
Pakistan’s rocket advancements draw heavily from collaborations,particularly with China, enabling rapid indigenization. The Fatah familyevolved from Fatah-I at 140 kilometers to Fatah-II at 400 kilometers, withfuture iterations like Fatah-5 projected for testing in 2026 at rangesnearing 1,000 kilometers. This progression blurs lines between artilleryand strategic systems, enhancing conventional deterrence below nuclearthresholds. Analysts note that such capabilities compress decisiontimelines, compelling adversaries to invest in countermeasures likeimproved surveillance and interception.
The call for a rocket force aligns with India’s push toward self-reliancein defense. General Dwivedi referenced ongoing modernization, includingspecialized units like Bhairav battalions for agile operations andDivyastra batteries for enhanced firepower. He framed the proposal asessential to match adversaries’ technological edges, ensuring Indiamaintains credible conventional responses. This echoes earlier discussionson integrated theatre commands and jointness among services to handlemulti-domain threats effectively.
Regional dynamics add urgency to the debate. The 2025 conflict, triggeredby cross-border incidents, saw calibrated strikes and an eventualceasefire, but highlighted vulnerabilities in rear-area defenses.Pakistan’s use of precision rockets reportedly inflicted disruptions,though Indian intercepts mitigated some impacts. General Dwivedi’s remarkssignal intent to evolve doctrine, prioritizing long-range fires to deteraggression and protect strategic assets along western and northern fronts.
Read Top Stories
Broader implications extend to strategic stability in South Asia. Adedicated Indian rocket force could recalibrate deterrence equations,potentially reducing reliance on air power for deep strikes while avoidingescalation ladders. Observers anticipate accelerated procurement anddevelopment timelines, with focus on indigenous guided rockets to countersystems like Fatah-II. This development may influence future arms controldialogues and force postures in the region.
In summary, General Dwivedi’s advocacy reflects a pragmatic recognition ofevolving threats. By citing Pakistan and China’s models, he has spotlighteda critical modernization imperative for the Indian Army, aiming to ensurepreparedness in an era defined by precision and standoff capabilities.
Source:https://www.moneycontrol.com/defence/with-pinaka-pralay-and-brahmos-at-core-india-needs-its-own-dedicated-rocket-force-command-says-army-chief-article-13771015.html
Tags: India, Pakistan, China, Upendra Dwivedi, Fatah-II, Pinaka
ogimageimage-name