New Delhi: Pakistan, which found its long range strike capabilities hollow in the face of India’s Operation Sindoor, has decided to set up a new Army Rocket Force Command (ARFC), on the lines of China’s force.
The ARFC is meant to be a dedicated force for conventional missile and rocket systems, and will include not just cruise missiles and rockets, but also conventional ballistic missiles and Pakistan’s planned hypersonic missiles.
Pakistan Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif announced the creation of the new command late Wednesday at a ceremony in Islamabad. “It will be equipped with modern technology,” Sharif said in a statement, adding that the force will prove to be a milestone in strengthening the combat capability of Pakistan’s army.
On the eve of its independence day, Pakistan also showcased the Fatah IV, part of the Fatah weapon system family of Pakistan. The new missile—earlier versions of which were used by Pakistan against India amid the military hostilities between 7 May and 10 May—has a range of 700 kilometres, it is claimed.
A senior Pakistan security official told Reuters that the new force will house a dedicated command, which will be exclusive to the handling and deployment of missiles in any event of a conventional war. “It is obvious that it is meant for India,” the official was quoted as saying.
Sources in the Indian defence and security establishment told ThePrint that following Op Sindoor, they had understood that Pakistan will now focus majorly on long range strike capabilities besides air defence.
They said that contrary to what Pakistan has claimed, none of their missiles, including the Fatah series, were able to do any significant damage, and most of them were shot down by Indian air defence systems.
Sources further said that Pakistan is setting up the new command to ensure decentralised deployment and focused modernisation. “During Op Sindoor, Indian forces fought like an integrated unit which also involved quick moving of logistics and India’s long range vectors. Pakistan now wants to create a centralised command, which will then try and overwhelm India’s air defence in a coordinated manner, just like India did,” a source explained.
The sources added that it is unlikely that the nuclear weapons would also come under the new command. It is felt that they will remain under the Strategic Forces Command, unlike in the case of China.
India is also planning a rocket force of its own, something that former Chief of Defence Staff Late General Bipin Rawat was keen on. This was being done to counter China’s rocket force.
China’s rocket force, established in 2015 as part of President Xi Jinping’s military overhaul, has been at the centre of the latest anti-corruption campaign targeting the military. Gen Li Shangfu, who earlier headed the rocket force and was then promoted as the defence minister by Xi, was summarily sacked for alleged corruption. His successor, Gen Li Yuchao, who assumed the role of its commander in 2022, was also removed following graft charges.
In July 2024, China’s Communist Party announced the anti-corruption investigation against Gen Sun Jinming, who headed the rocket force.
At least seven past or serving senior military officials from the rocket force of People’s Liberation Army have faced anti-corruption probes since 2023.
Gen Wei Fenghe, who headed the force from its inception until 2017, and then served as the country’s defence minister from 2018 to 2023, was also expelled from the party for alleged corruption.
(Edited by Mannat Chugh)
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