Pakistan Launches New Missile Command After Operation Sindoor Setback

Islamabad, August 14, 2025 — In a major post-conflict military overhaul, Pakistan has unveiled its Army Rocket Force Command, aimed at strengthening missile capabilities after the shock of India’s Operation Sindoor.

Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, addressing the nation on its 78th Independence Day, said the new force would be armed with modern technology and capable of delivering strikes “from all directions.” The move follows the country’s most intense clash with India since 1999.

Key Highlights

New Strategic Force: Army Rocket Force Command to manage missile arsenal, modelled after China’s PLA Rocket Force.

Conflict Backdrop: Launched in response to India’s Operation Sindoor, which followed the Pahalgam terror attack killing 26.

Budget Boost: Defence spending increased by 20%.

New Hardware: Plans to acquire 40 Chinese fighter jets and modern air defence systems.

Global Support: PM thanked China, Saudi Arabia, Türkiye, Azerbaijan, UAE, and Iran for diplomatic backing.

Context & Background

Earlier this year, tensions between India and Pakistan spiked when militants attacked a tourist bus in Pahalgam, Jammu & Kashmir. India’s swift military response Operation Sindoor involved missile, drone, and artillery strikes over four days, leaving Islamabad facing critical gaps in its defence readiness.

Pakistan’s new command is designed to control both nuclear and conventional land-based ballistic, hypersonic, and cruise missiles, signalling a direct push to close the strategic gap.

Impact on South Asia’s Security Landscape

Defence experts warn that the move could further fuel the regional arms race. With India already investing in advanced missile systems and air power, Pakistan’s announcement raises fresh concerns about stability in the subcontinent.