Preparing India for China's Missile Challenge: Building a Credible Rocket Force
The article discusses China's growing missile superiority, with over 200 conventional missile launchers deployed opposite India, and its implications for future conflicts. China views missiles as instruments of political coercion and war-fighting, capable of achieving strategic objectives without full-scale war. India lacks reliable defense against China's hypersonic missiles and has limitations in its own missile inventory and real-time targeting capabilities. The author advocates for India to build a credible conventional rocket force capable of counter-value strikes, holding PLA's Western Theatre Command at risk, degrading infrastructure, and engaging tactical targets. This requires doctrinal shifts, structural reforms under the Chief of Defence Staff, and technological advancements with private sector participation.
Key Points
- China possesses significant missile superiority over India, with over 200 conventional missile launchers deployed.
- China's missile strategy aims for political coercion and war-fighting, including targeting critical infrastructure.
- India faces vulnerability due to China's hypersonic missiles (DF-100, CJ-1000) and its own evolving missile inventory limitations.
- India needs to develop a credible conventional rocket force capable of inflicting significant damage in a reciprocal manner.
- This requires adopting counter-value strike doctrine, placing the rocket force under the Chief of Defence Staff, and enhancing technological self-reliance with private sector involvement.
Exam Facts
- China has deployed over 200 conventional missile launchers opposite India.
- Chinese missiles mentioned: DF-15B, DF-16, DF-21C, DF-26, DF-100, CJ-1000.
- Indian missiles mentioned: Agni, Nirbhay (LR-LACM), BrahMos.
- The rocket force should be placed under the Chief of Defence Staff (CDS).
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