China has a Rocket Force, as distinct from the Army, Navy and Air Force for over 50 years, even if it was called the Second Artillery Corps till 2015. Now, there is discussion within India’s security establishment, particularly the armed forces, about a rocket force.
It is also a time when “jointness” is being talked about. So, the question that arises is: if there is one, how will it be structured? And will it be a joint service organisation? How will it “integrate” just as structural reform is beginning?
Any Rocket Force would have ballistic and cruise missiles under it. And there is the recent experience of the use of cruise missiles like the Brahmos with a range of 300 km+ during Operation Sindoor, the four-day offensive that began with strikes against terror training camps and establishments in Pakistan and Pakistan Occupied Kashmir weeks ago. The Brahmos was undeniably effectively used.
One view within the establishment is that “escalation management” is more easily handled if the missiles are under one head. There is also the issue of range- what would be the range of the missiles with the Force and what kind of missiles will be with the army, navy and Air Force for “tactical” use? How can the indigenously developed Pinaka multi barrel rocket launcher, with a range of 80 km+ be classified? Short-range? A similar Chinese weapon system is the PCL-191, with a range of 350 km or more. Clearly, there is a grey zone.
Currently, all three services have the Brahmos, which has a 300 km+ range. But other missiles like the Pralay, which may have a maximum range of 500 km are on the anvil. The Prithvi missile is already there with all three services, with ranges from 150-300 km. Major changes will be necessary if there is a rocket force, which, currently, is still at a “serious discussion” stage.