Pakistan has formally announced the creation of the Army Rocket Force Command, a new military branch aimed at enhancing the country’s long-range conventional missile capabilities.
The move, revealed by Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif during a ceremony in Islamabad marking the nation’s 78th Independence anniversary, marks a major shift in Pakistan’s conventional warfighting strategy.
The announcement comes just months after the most intense conflict in decades with India and signals Pakistan’s intent to adapt its military posture in response to regional security dynamics.
“The Army Rocket Force Command will be equipped with modern technology and have the capability to strike at the enemy from different directions,” PM Sharif said during the nationally broadcasted speech. He described the formation of the new force as “another milestone in strengthening our conventional warfare capacity.”
While Sharif provided few technical details, senior security officials confirmed the Rocket Force will operate under a separate military command and be tasked with handling the deployment of conventional missiles—such as ballistic, cruise, and potentially even hypersonic weapons—in conventional warfare scenarios.
“It is obvious that it is meant for India,” said one official, who spoke to Reuters on condition of anonymity.
The decision to form a dedicated rocket command is understood to be a direct outcome of lessons learned from the May conflict with India. Though brief, the four-day war was the most intense exchange since the 1999 Kargil conflict, exposing limitations in Pakistan’s long-range conventional strike capabilities.
The Pakistan Air Force had early tactical successes during the conflict, but the lack of sustained long-range conventional firepower was a strategic shortfall. The new force seeks to close that gap without relying on the country’s nuclear deterrent.
Pakistan’s decision mirrors developments in other regional powers. China has long operated the People’s Liberation Army Rocket Force, while Iran has used mass missile launches in recent confrontations with Israel. The parallels suggest Pakistan is aiming to build a similar deterrent capability within the conventional domain.
While the Rocket Force adds depth to Pakistan’s strike capabilities, questions remain over its integration into national military doctrine and its long-term effectiveness.
Dr. Adil Sultan, dean of the Faculty of Aerospace and Strategic Studies at Air University, noted, “It is a significant development and could lead to changes in our military doctrine and force posture. Since not much is available in the public domain about the role of this new entity and the employment concept, it may be premature to speculate about its effectiveness against the Indian threat.”
Modern conflicts have also highlighted the growing role of drones and electronic warfare over traditional missile arsenals. In Ukraine, Russia’s heavy use of missiles has failed to deliver decisive results. Similarly, Iran’s barrage against Israel caused visible damage but did not significantly shift the strategic balance.
In this evolving scenario, Pakistan is signaling that it intends to remain technologically relevant, investing in precision, mobility, and range, exemplified by the recent unveiling of the Fatah-IV cruise missile.
Fatah-IV Cruise Missile unveiled
In a related development, Pakistan has unveiled the Fatah-IV, the latest and most advanced variant in the Fatah series of guided multiple launch rocket systems (GMLRS). This new platform significantly expands Pakistan’s conventional strike options with a stated range of 750 kilometers.
The Fatah-IV is a long-range land-attack cruise missile (LACM) and represents a major leap in indigenous missile capability.
Key Specifications
- Range: 750 km
- Mass: 1,530 kg
- Length: 7.5 meters
- Speed: Mach 0.7
- Accuracy: 5-meter CEP
- Minimum Flight Altitude: 50 meters
- Warhead Type: Blast Fragmentation
- Warhead Weight: 330 kg
The missile is widely believed to be based on technological elements from the Babur and Harbah cruise missile programs. With its precision, low flight profile, and extended range, the Fatah-IV enhances Pakistan’s ability to strike high-value targets without triggering nuclear escalation.
Defense officials and analysts see this development as part of a broader doctrinal shift: focusing on strategic depth through conventional means, without crossing thresholds that could provoke full-scale escalation. Together with the newly announced Rocket Force Command, the Fatah-IV adds another layer to Pakistan’s evolving military posture amid a rapidly changing regional security environment.