On August 14, 2025, the government of Pakistan unveiled a new chapter in its military history, announcing the creation of a dedicated Army Rocket Force. The move, made public during a ceremony in Islamabad, comes amid heightened tensions with neighboring India and just a day before Pakistan’s 78th Independence Day. Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, speaking at the event, described the new unit as a milestone in strengthening the country’s conventional war capabilities and a testament to modern military ambition.
"It will be equipped with modern technology," Sharif declared, according to a statement from his office. He went on to assert, "This force, capable of targeting the enemy from all sides, will prove to be yet another milestone with regard to further strengthening our conventional war capability." His comments, broadcast repeatedly on local television channels the following day, left little doubt about the strategic weight of the announcement.
The ceremony was not just symbolic. It was held to commemorate the recent May 2025 conflict between India and Pakistan, which many observers have called the worst clash between the two nuclear-armed rivals in decades. According to Reuters, both countries deployed missiles, drones, and fighter jets during the confrontation—an alarming escalation in their long-standing rivalry. The timing of the rocket force announcement, right before Independence Day, seemed crafted to send a message of resilience and preparedness to both domestic and international audiences.
While Prime Minister Sharif refrained from divulging operational specifics, a senior security official provided some insight into the force’s structure. The official, speaking on condition of anonymity, stated that the new rocket force would operate under its own command within the military. This dedicated command will focus exclusively on handling and deploying missiles should a conventional war erupt. "It is obvious that it is meant for India," the official remarked, making clear the perceived threat driving the initiative.
The roots of this military buildup run deep. Since their independence from British rule in 1947, Pakistan and India have fought three wars—two of them over the disputed region of Kashmir, which remains a flashpoint. The latest spike in hostilities came after an April 2025 attack in Indian-administered Kashmir, which resulted in the deaths of 26 civilians. New Delhi promptly blamed Islamabad for the violence, though Pakistan denied any involvement. The subsequent conflict in May saw both sides trading not just accusations, but actual firepower, with missiles and drones flying across the border.
For many in Pakistan, the establishment of the Army Rocket Force is a direct response to India’s own advances in missile technology. Over the years, India has steadily upgraded its arsenal, fielding a range of ballistic and cruise missiles capable of striking deep into Pakistani territory. In this context, Pakistan’s new force is seen as an attempt to restore balance, or at least to signal that it will not be left behind in the regional arms race.
Prime Minister Sharif, in his speech, did not shy away from invoking the specter of conflict. He emphasized that the new force was designed to "strengthen the combat capability of Pakistan’s army," and to ensure the country could "target the enemy from all sides." While some observers saw these words as saber-rattling, others interpreted them as a necessary assertion of sovereignty in a volatile neighborhood.
India, for its part, responded with skepticism. An Indian foreign ministry spokesperson dismissed the announcement, telling Reuters: "It is (a) well-known modus operandi of Pakistani leadership to whip up anti-India rhetoric time and again to hide their own failures." This reaction reflects a familiar pattern in South Asian diplomacy, where each side accuses the other of stoking tensions for domestic political gain.
Yet, the stakes are far from rhetorical. Both Pakistan and India possess nuclear weapons, and their history of military confrontations has kept the region—and the world—on edge. Every new development in their respective arsenals is scrutinized for signs of escalation or, conversely, for opportunities to restore deterrence and stability.
The May 2025 conflict, in particular, has left a mark. According to the South China Morning Post, the fighting involved not just traditional ground forces but also the latest in military technology, including ballistic missiles and unmanned aerial vehicles. The experience appears to have galvanized Pakistani military planners, who now see a dedicated rocket force as essential to future preparedness.
Analysts say the creation of a separate command for missiles could streamline decision-making and improve operational readiness. Previously, Pakistan’s missile assets were managed within broader military structures, potentially slowing response times in a crisis. By establishing a specialized unit, the army aims to ensure that its missile forces can be deployed rapidly and effectively if needed.
Of course, the move also raises questions about the risk of miscalculation. With both countries on high alert and new technologies in play, the potential for misunderstandings or accidental escalation is real. International observers have long called for confidence-building measures and communication channels to prevent crises from spiraling out of control. Whether the latest developments will spur such efforts or deepen mistrust remains to be seen.
Within Pakistan, the announcement has been met with a mixture of pride and apprehension. Supporters argue that the country has no choice but to keep pace with India’s military modernization, especially given the unresolved disputes over Kashmir and other issues. Critics, meanwhile, warn that an arms race diverts resources from pressing domestic needs and risks entrenching a cycle of hostility.
For ordinary citizens, the sight of a replica ballistic missile displayed along a busy road in Islamabad—photographed by AFP and widely shared in local media—serves as a stark reminder of the realities of living in a nuclear-armed region. The symbolism is hard to miss: even as Pakistan prepares to celebrate its independence, the shadow of conflict looms large.
As the dust settles on the latest round of announcements and counter-statements, one thing is clear: the strategic landscape of South Asia is shifting once again. Whether the new Army Rocket Force will bring greater security or simply raise the stakes in an already tense rivalry is a question that only time will answer. For now, both sides remain locked in a delicate dance, each determined not to blink first.
Pakistan’s bold step into the future of military technology underscores the enduring challenges—and the persistent hopes—of a region where peace and conflict are never far apart.
