 "Pakistan's Army Chief General Syed Asim Munir stands on a military tank speaking with army troops. File image/AFP")
Months after being thwarted by India as a result of Operation Sindoor, Pakistan has decided to establish a new force in military force for supervising its missile combat capabilities in the event of conventional combat.
The move is reportedly aimed at matching India’s defence system. Pakistani Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Wednesday announced the creation of the Army Rocket Force at an event held to commemorate its worst conflict with India in a decade in May.
“It will be equipped with modern technology,” Sharif said in a statement from his office, adding that the force will prove to be a milestone in strengthening the combat capability of Pakistan’s army.
A senior security official told Reuters that the force will have its own command in the military, which will be dedicated to handling and deployment of missiles during conventional wars.
“It is obvious that it is meant for India,” he said.
India-US joint military exercise
Meanwhile, India and the US will undertake a joint military exercise next month, according to a report by The Print.
The annual exercise, known as ‘Yudh Abhyas’, will take place from 1 to 16 September in Alaska, US, and will feature an all-arms contingent from the Indian Army, led by the Madras Regiment.
A source told the publication, “The upcoming edition will see participation from both sides in high-altitude conditions in Alaska, a factor that adds operational complexity to the drills. Such settings will also allow troops to train in environments that mirror potential conflict zones.”
Impact Shorts
More ShortsLaunched in 2004 under the Indo-US Defence Cooperation Agreement, ‘Yudh Abhyas’ is held annually, alternating between locations in India and the United States. The previous edition took place in Rajasthan in 2024.
The exercise typically involves tactical field training between the Indian Army and the US Army, focusing on counter-insurgency, counter-terrorism, and peacekeeping operations. It also includes command post drills centred on mission planning, joint operations, and coordination under United Nations mandates.