CandelariaSanche at 18:30, 6 May 2026

2026-05-06T18:30:54Z

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{{Short description|Proposed Indian military unit}}

{{Use dmy dates|date=May 2026}}

{{Use Indian English|date=May 2026}}{{Infobox military unit
| unit_name = Integrated Rocket Force
| dates =
| country = {{flag|India}}
| allegiance =
| type = [[Joint warfare|Integrated military command]]
| role = [[Air defence]]
| command_structure = {{Armed forces|India|size=23px}}
| equipment = *Hypersonic weapons
*[[Ballistic Missiles]]
*[[Cruise Missile]]s
}}

The '''Integrated Rocket Force''' ('''IRF''') is a proposed tri-service entity to be formed under the [[Indian Armed Forces]] which will handle [[Ballistic missile|ballistic missiles]], [[Cruise missile|cruise missiles]] and [[Multiple rocket launcher|multi barrel rocket launchers]] with [[Conventional weapon|conventional warheads]] unlike [[Strategic Forces Command]] which is tasked with [[nuclear deterrence]].<ref>{{Cite news |date=2024-04-18 |title=India tests long-range cruise missile for precision-strike capabilities |url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/india-tests-long-range-cruise-missile-for-precision-strike-capabilities/articleshow/109411417.cms |access-date=2024-04-21 |work=The Times of India |issn=0971-8257}}</ref>
== History ==
The concept of a Rocket Force was initially proposed by India's first [[Chief of Defence Staff (India)|Chief of Defence Staff]], [[General (India)|General]] [[Bipin Rawat]], in September 2021 following the [[2020–2021 China–India skirmishes|2020 Galwan skirmishes]]. This came amid a reported reassessment of India’s capacity to counter the scale and precision of long-range strike capabilities fielded by the [[People's Liberation Army Rocket Force]] (PLARF). The IRF will have up to medium-range surface-to-surface strike capabilities and will assist India's "non-contact" warfare in the future. However, the composition and size of the inventory was yet to be decided.<ref>{{Cite web |title=India’s Coming ‘Rocket Force’ |url=https://thediplomat.com/2021/11/indias-coming-rocket-force/ |access-date=2024-04-21 |website=thediplomat.com |language=en-US}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Bali |first=Pawan |date=2021-09-16 |title=India may set up a rocket force: Chief of Defence Staff |url=https://www.deccanchronicle.com/nation/current-affairs/160921/india-may-set-up-a-rocket-force-chief-of-defence-staff.html |access-date=2026-05-02 |website=www.deccanchronicle.com |language=en}}</ref>

The Rocket Force is in an early discussion stage, and much is not known about its establishment. It is not decided whether IRF will be a tri-service agency like [[Defence Cyber Agency]] and [[Defence Space Agency]] or a tri-service command-level organisation like [[Strategic Forces Command]].<ref>{{Cite web |title=Integrated rocket force: Imperfect but a step in the right direction |url=https://www.orfonline.org/expert-speak/integrated-rocket-force |access-date=2024-04-21 |website=orfonline.org |language=en}}</ref> Instead of relying solely on nuclear deterrence, the [[Center for Strategic and International Studies]] argues that India is being forced to reinvest in complementary and mixed strategies due to the proliferation of arms in a new technological era.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Ransing |first=Mandar |date=2025-02-25 |title=The Integrated Rocket Force (IRF) as India’s Bid for Conventional Deterrence |url=https://nuclearnetwork.csis.org/the-integrated-rocket-force-irf-as-indias-bid-for-conventional-deterrence/ |access-date=2025-08-02 |website=Nuclear Network |language=en-US}}</ref> A report on 27 January by the ''[[Hindustan Times]]'' indicated that the Army had raised 2 units of the rocket force and has increased the range of its artillery from 150 km to 1,000 km.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2026-01-27 |title=Indian Army to monitor low-altitude airspace along China, Pakistan borders |url=https://www.hindustantimes.com/india-news/indian-army-to-monitor-low-altitude-airspace-along-china-pakistan-borders-101769477379114.html |access-date=2026-01-27 |website=Hindustan Times |language=en}}</ref>

== Equipment ==
The Integrated Rocket Force's arsenal will initially consist of surface-to-surface missiles within the arsenal of the Indian Army and Air Force, beginning with the Pralay missiles. Later upon full maturity, all missiles and rocket systems of the Army, Navy, and Air Force will be operatedunder the IRF.<ref>{{Cite news |date=2023-05-17 |title=Will India finally have a dedicated rocket force? |url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/will-india-finally-have-a-dedicated-rocket-force/articleshow/100291322.cms |access-date=2024-04-21 |work=The Times of India |issn=0971-8257}}</ref>

The proposed weapon systems to remain in IRF's arsenal include [[Prahaar (missile)|Prahaar]], [[Pralay (missile)|Pralay]], [[Nirbhay]], [[BrahMos]], [[Pinaka multi-barrel rocket launcher|Pinaka MBRL]].<ref>{{Cite web |title=Newly-proposed rocket forces may get 1,500 km range ballistic missiles |url=https://www.indiatoday.in/india/story/newly-proposed-rocket-forces-may-get-1500-km-range-ballistic-missiles-2458495-2023-11-05 |access-date=2024-04-21 |website=India Today |language=en}}</ref> In 2024, it was reported that the [[Long Range – Anti Ship Missile (India)|Long Range – Anti Ship Missile]] (LRAShM) and its land-based [[hypersonic missile]] variant would form a part of the proposed Integrated Rocket Force. The missiles will be a [[medium-range ballistic missile]] (MRBM) with a range of more than {{Convert|1500|km|abbr=on}}.<ref name=":42">{{Cite news |date=2024-04-18 |title=India tests long-range cruise missile for precision-strike capabilities |url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/india-tests-long-range-cruise-missile-for-precision-strike-capabilities/articleshow/109411417.cms |access-date=2024-11-29 |work=The Times of India |issn=0971-8257}}</ref><ref name=":32">{{Cite web |date=2023-11-05 |title=Newly-proposed rocket forces may get 1,500 km range ballistic missiles |url=https://www.indiatoday.in/india/story/newly-proposed-rocket-forces-may-get-1500-km-range-ballistic-missiles-2458495-2023-11-05 |access-date=2024-11-29 |website=India Today |language=en}}</ref> The [[BM-04]], a derivative of the [[Agni-P]], is being developed to satisfy the need for a conventional ballistic missile with a range of {{Convert|1500|km|abbr=on}} for the proposed Integrated Rocket Force. Utilizing a [[boostglide vehicle]], BM-04 will reach [[Mach]] 5 and beyond in order to neutralize [[anti-access/area denial]] (A2/AD) environment.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Katoch (Retd) |first=Lt. General P.C. |date=2025-03-14 |title=Indigenous Hypersonic Missile |url=https://www.spslandforces.com/experts-speak/?id=1246&h=Indigenous-Hypersonic-Missile |access-date=2025-07-25 |website=spslandforces.com}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |date=2025-03-06 |title=BM-04 short-range ballistic missile: DRDO reveals India's latest hypersonic weapon |url=https://economictimes.indiatimes.com/news/defence/bm-04-short-range-ballistic-missile-drdo-reveals-indias-latest-hypersonic-weapon/articleshow/118755583.cms?from=mdr |access-date=2025-03-07 |work=The Economic Times |issn=0013-0389}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |last=Mandal |first=Sohini |last2=Udoshi |first2=Rahul |date=5 March 2025 |title=India's DRDO unveils BM-04 SRBM |url=https://www.janes.com/osint-insights/defence-news/defence/indias-drdo-unveils-bm-04-srbm |access-date=7 March 2025 |work=[[Janes Information Services]]}}</ref>In January 2026, the Indian Army placed an order for [[PULS (multiple rocket launcher)|''Suryastra'' multi calibre rocket launcher]] with NIBE Limited. The ammunition include rockets with a maximum range of 150 km and 300 km and [[loitering munition]] with 100 km range.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Trivedi |first=Saurabh |date=2026-01-03 |title=Army signs deal to procure long-range rocket launchers Suryastra |url=https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/army-to-procure-long-range-rocket-launchers-in-major-deal-backed-by-israeli-technology/article70468168.ece |access-date=2026-01-04 |work=The Hindu |language=en-IN |issn=0971-751X}}</ref> The system will be part of the deep strike rocket force which is reported to be a part of the [[Regiment of Artillery (India)|Regiment of Artillery]].<ref>{{Cite web |last=Singh |first=Mayank |date=2026-01-02 |title=Army seals Rs 292 crore contract for indigenously manufactured rockets that can strike up to 300 km |url=https://www.newindianexpress.com/nation/2026/Jan/02/army-to-get-indigenously-manufactured-rockets-that-can-strike-up-to-300-km-in-rs-292-crore-contract |access-date=2026-01-04 |website=The New Indian Express |language=en}}</ref>

=== Gallery ===

<gallery>

File:Pinaka Republic day Parade 2024.jpg| Pinaka MBRL
File:Prahaar Missile.jpg|Prahaar tactical ballistic missile
File:Pralay missile - Indian Republic day Parade Rehearsal 2025.jpg|Pralay short range ballistic missile
File:Nirbhay missiles during Republic Day Parade 2018.jpg|Nirbhay subsonic cruise misssile
File:BrahMos missiles during rehearsal of Republic Day Parade 2018.jpg|Brahmos supersonic cruise missile
File:LRAShM Republic day Parade.jpg|LRAShM long range hypersonic anti-ship missile

</gallery>

== See also ==

; Indian Armed forces Integrated entities

* [[Defence Planning Committee]], tri-services command at policy level with NSA as its chief
* [[Chief of Defence Staff (India)]], professional head of the Indian Armed Forces
* [[Integrated Defence Staff]], tri-services command at strategic level composed of MoD, MEA and tri-services staff
* [[Integrated Theatre Command (India)]]
** [[Northern Theatre Command (India)]]
** [[Western Theatre Command (India)]]
** [[Maritime Theatre Command]]
** [[Andaman and Nicobar Command]]
** [[Strategic Forces Command]], nuclear command of India
*** [[Nuclear Command Authority (India)|Indian Nuclear Command Authority]], Strategic Forces Command
** [[Defence Cyber Agency]]
** [[Defence Space Agency]]
** [[Armed Forces Special Operations Division|Special Operations Division]]

; Assets

* [[List of Indian Air Force stations]]
* [[List of Indian Navy bases]]
* [[List of active Indian Navy ships]]
* [[List of countries with overseas military bases#India|India's overseas military bases]]

'''Other Nations'''

* [[People's Liberation Army Rocket Force|Peoples Liberation Army Rocket Force]]
* [[Strategic Rocket Forces]]
* [[Rocket Forces and Artillery (Ukraine)]]
* [[United States Strategic Command]]

== References ==
{{Reflist}}

[[Category:Indian Army]]
[[Category:Indian Air Force]]

Integrated Rocket Force India - Revision history

CandelariaSanche at 18:30, 6 May 2026