Iran's missile war and the growing case for India's Rocket Force

Iran's missile war and the growing case for India's Rocket Force Iran' use of ballistic missiles to cause wanton destruction across West Asia has demonstrated the expanded nature if the use of these weapons and also how it is difficult for most air defence systems to tackle these projectiles hurtling down at hypersonic speeds. The inability of Ukraine to intercept the Russian Oreshnik missile further solidifies the use of tactical ballistic missiles as an effective warfighting implement. These developments have sparked debate in India about creating a dedicated Rocket Force, something the Chief of Army Staff, General Upendra Dwivedi himself announced earlier this year during his annual press conference.A rocket force can perform multiple functions such as provide conventional deterrence through precision firepower, enable deep strikes with long-range vectors and to reinforce frontline troops with additional firepower. Pakistan’s Rocket Force aims to plug gaps in conventional deterrence exposed during Operation Sindoor, China too has a rocket force as does Russia.India’s Rocket Force will derive its strength from a carefully chosen mix of missile systems that complement each other and provide layered tactical capabilities, outside the realm of nuclear payloads carrying capabilities. The Pralay missile offers a short-range, quasi-ballistic option designed for precision strikes against tactical targets. End of Article