Pakistan’s decision to strengthen its military by establishing a China-style Army Rocket Force marks a notable shift in its defence strategy, with analysts linking the move to lessons learned from the recent India-Pakistan military confrontation during Operation Sindoor. The development reflects Islamabad’s growing emphasis on enhancing its conventional strike capabilities amid changing regional security dynamics.

The Army Rocket Force Command (ARFC), unveiled by Pakistans military leadership, is expected to oversee long-range conventional missile systems capable of carrying out precision strikes. Defence experts say the force is modeled on the Peoples Liberation Army Rocket Force of China, which manages both conventional and strategic missile assets. Unlike traditional military formations, a dedicated rocket force is designed to provide rapid, high-precision strike options without immediately escalating to nuclear weapons.

The move comes weeks after Operation Sindoor, during which India carried out precision strikes against terrorist infrastructure in Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied Kashmir following the deadly Pahalgam terror attack. The operation demonstrated the growing role of advanced surveillance, precision-guided munitions, and stand-off weapons in modern warfare. Analysts believe the conflict highlighted the limitations of relying solely on nuclear deterrence, as conventional military actions were carried out without crossing the nuclear threshold.

According to defence observers, Pakistan’s latest military restructuring indicates an effort to strengthen its conventional deterrence. A dedicated rocket force would provide military planners with additional options to respond to future crises while reducing dependence on nuclear weapons during the early stages of a conflict. Military experts note that the concept closely resembles China’s military doctrine, where missile forces play a central role in both deterrence and battlefield operations. Beijing’s rocket force has become one of the most powerful branches of the Chinese military, equipped with a wide range of ballistic and cruise missiles capable of striking targets at varying distances. Pakistan’s adoption of a similar structure underscores the deepening defence cooperation between Islamabad and Beijing, which already extends to fighter aircraft, drones, air defence systems, and missile technology.

Security analysts say the changing character of warfare is also influencing military planning across South Asia. Modern conflicts increasingly rely on precision-guided weapons, drones, electronic warfare, cyber capabilities, and intelligence-driven operations rather than large-scale ground offensives. As a result, both India and Pakistan are investing heavily in advanced technologies to strengthen their conventional military capabilities.

While Pakistan has not officially stated that Operation Sindoor directly influenced the creation of the Army Rocket Force, several defence experts believe the timing suggests that the recent conflict accelerated efforts to modernize its missile command structure. The objective, they argue, is to create a more credible conventional response capability that can operate below the nuclear threshold. The development is likely to draw close attention in New Delhi, where India has significantly expanded its own long-range precision strike capabilities in recent years. Defence analysts believe the emergence of Pakistan’s rocket force could contribute to a new phase of military competition in South Asia, with both countries focusing on faster response systems, precision missiles, integrated air defence, and advanced surveillance networks.

Regional security experts caution that while stronger conventional deterrence may provide additional military options during crises, it could also increase the pace of escalation if future confrontations occur. They stress that sustained diplomatic engagement and military communication channels will remain essential to prevent misunderstandings between the two nuclear-armed neighbours. Pakistan’s latest military initiative signals that future strategic competition in South Asia is likely to be shaped not only by nuclear capabilities but also by the growing importance of precision conventional weapons and rapid-response missile forces.

Disclaimer: This image is taken from TOI.