ISLAMABAD; Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif has announced the formation of the Pakistan Army Rocket Force Command, a new branch within the Pakistan Army dedicated to deploying a wide range of conventional missile and rocket systems.
The command will oversee battlefield, medium-range, and long-range weapons, including cruise and ballistic missiles in subsonic, supersonic, and hypersonic categories, as well as advanced rocket artillery. All systems will be armed exclusively with conventional warheads.
According to defence analysts, this move represents a major shift in Pakistan’s conventional warfare capabilities, aimed at enhancing precision-strike options against a variety of enemy targets without resorting to nuclear weapons.
The force will be capable of delivering large-scale, coordinated missile salvos designed to disrupt critical infrastructure, supply lines, and strategic military assets deep within hostile territory.
Media reports highlight that the decision mirrors developments in other nations, such as China’s Rocket Force and India’s Strategic Forces Command, which centralize missile operations for maximum efficiency and rapid deployment.
In Pakistan’s case, the new command is expected to integrate closely with artillery, air defence, and intelligence units, improving both readiness and coordination in high-intensity conflict scenarios.
Military experts quoted in Pakistani outlets note that the creation of this force could reshape South Asia’s strategic landscape. By introducing high-volume, long-range conventional missile capabilities, Pakistan may alter regional conflict calculations and deterrence models, particularly during periods of heightened tension with India.
While no official timeline for operational readiness has been announced, defence sources suggest the command will initially rely on existing missile platforms in Pakistan’s arsenal, with gradual upgrades to incorporate next-generation systems — including hypersonic technologies currently in development.
Officials emphasize that the initiative is purely defensive in nature, aimed at strengthening Pakistan’s ability to safeguard its sovereignty and respond effectively to conventional military threats.
Report By Mian Sohail Iqbal
