In a landmark announcement ahead of Pakistan’s 78th Independence Day, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif revealed the creation of a dedicated Missile Command within the Pakistan Army, also referred to as the Army Rocket Force. The announcement was made during a ceremony in Islamabad to mark the end of the May conflict with India, the most intense fighting between the two neighbors in decades.
According to the Prime Minister, the new force “will be equipped with modern technology” and will prove to be a milestone in strengthening Pakistan’s combat power. Security officials confirm that this command will have its own structure within the military, responsible for handling and deploying missile systems during any conventional war.
What is Pakistan’s Missile Command?
The new Missile Command will serve as a specialized branch of the Pakistan Army designed to manage, modernize, and deploy the country’s growing missile arsenal. Unlike the Strategic Plans Division (SPD), which oversees Pakistan’s nuclear forces, the Missile Command is expected to focus on conventional missile warfare, providing the country with greater flexibility in a crisis.
Key features include:
- Dedicated Command Structure: A separate branch with its own operational leadership to ensure rapid response and deployment of missile systems.
- Integration of Arsenal: Centralized control over Pakistan’s short-range and medium-range ballistic missiles, as well as cruise missiles like Nasr, Shaheen, Ghaznavi, and Babur.
- Advanced Technology: Equipped with modern command-and-control systems, real-time surveillance, and targeting support from satellites and drones.
- Conventional Strike Focus: Designed to give Pakistan a credible first-strike option in conventional conflicts without crossing the nuclear threshold.
- Mobility and Survivability: Mobile launchers and hardened storage sites to ensure missiles remain deployable even during enemy strikes.
- Indigenous Development: A boost to Pakistan’s domestic missile programs, potentially advancing into hypersonic and precision-guided missile technology.
How the Missile Command Strengthens Pakistan’s Defence
Conventional Deterrence Against India
For years, Pakistan has relied heavily on nuclear weapons as its ultimate deterrent. The Missile Command fills a crucial gap by giving the Pakistan Army strong conventional strike options. This ensures Pakistan can respond to threats decisively without risking nuclear escalation.
Quick Response in Conflicts
India has steadily expanded its missile arsenal, including the BrahMos supersonic cruise missile and longer-range systems. Pakistan’s Missile Command will act as a direct counter, enabling swift retaliation against enemy strikes on critical infrastructure or military bases.
Force Multiplier for the Battlefield
Missiles under this command can be used to destroy enemy logistics hubs, command centers, radar stations, and troop concentrations. This weakens the opponent’s defenses before Pakistan’s ground and air forces launch their own operations.
Multi-Domain Warfare
The Missile Command is expected to work in close coordination with the Pakistan Air Force and Pakistan Navy, allowing joint operations across land and sea. Land-based cruise missiles, for example, could also play a major role in sea-denial operations against enemy naval forces.
Resilience in Modern Warfare
Recent conflicts have shown that future wars will involve drones, missiles, cyber and electronic warfare. Pakistan’s Missile Command is built with this in mind, ensuring the country can adapt to hybrid warfare and defend itself effectively.
Boosting Pakistan’s Offensive Capabilities
- Deep Strike Capability: Pakistan will be able to target critical enemy facilities hundreds of kilometers inside hostile territory.
- Saturation Attacks: By launching multiple missiles simultaneously, Pakistan can overwhelm Indian missile defense systems.
- Psychological Pressure: The very existence of a Missile Command enhances deterrence, signaling to adversaries that Pakistan is fully prepared to strike back.
- Sea-Based Support: Land-launched cruise missiles will also strengthen Pakistan’s coastal defense and complement naval strike capabilities.
Why This Move Matters
The announcement comes just months after the deadly May conflict with India, which saw the two countries use missiles, drones, and fighter jets in their most serious confrontation since the 1999 Kargil War. By creating a Missile Command, Pakistan is making it clear that it is upgrading its arsenal to match India’s growing firepower and ensuring it remains prepared for future challenges.
This development also aligns with Pakistan’s long-term defense modernization strategy, which emphasizes indigenous production, technological self-reliance, and multi-domain operational capabilities.
Conclusion
The creation of Pakistan’s Missile Command (Army Rocket Force) is a historic step that will reshape the country’s defense posture. By focusing on conventional missile warfare, the new command strengthens Pakistan’s ability to deter aggression, respond quickly in crises, and conduct precision strikes deep inside enemy territory.
It is not just a defensive shield—it is also a powerful offensive tool that enhances Pakistan’s overall military balance against India. With modern technology, indigenous development, and strategic vision, the Missile Command will become a game-changer in South Asia’s military dynamics.