Army Rocket Force Command

Army Rocket Force Command
ActiveAugust 13, 2025; 9 months ago (2025-08-13)
Country Pakistan
Branch Pakistan Army
TypeTactical and conventional missile force
RoleStrategic deterrence, Conventional missile deployment
Size ☓☓☓ Corps 
HeadquartersGHQ in Chaklala, Punjab, Pakistan
EquipmentFatah (MRL)

The Army Rocket Force Command (ARFC) is a command of the Pakistan Army tasked with controlling and operating conventional rockets and missiles (including cruise missiles) as well as multi-rocket launchers in order to enhance non-nuclear high-precision deep-strike capabilities.[1][2]

History

Formation

On 13 August 2025, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif announced the formation of the Army Rocket Force Command during a ceremony at Jinnah Sports Stadium in Islamabad, held a day ahead of Pakistan's 78th Independence Day and three months after the 2025 India–Pakistan conflict.[3][4]

The ARFC has been tasked with controlling and operating conventional rockets and missiles and will primarily control short-to-medium range conventional missiles. According to Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, the force will be equipped with modern technology and capable of targeting the enemy "from every direction." He described it as "another milestone" in strengthening Pakistan's conventional war capabilities.[3][4] The new formation is tasked to unify, modernize, and supercharge the Pakistani missile and rocket forces.[5]

The establishment of the Army Rocket Force Command consolidates conventional and rocket units from several formations and specialist detachments into a single operational command give Pakistan Army deep-strike capabilities without relying on nuclear capable missiles under Army Strategic Forces Command.[6][7] The ARFC will be overseen by the army's General Headquarters (GHQ), expected to be led by a three-star general.[2]

Missile tests

On 30 September 2025, the Pakistani military's Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR) media wing announced that it conducted a successful test of the Fatah-IV surface-to-surface cruise missile, which has a range of 750 km.[8] It was the first missile test carried out since the formation of the Army Rocket Force Command, and the ISPR said that the indigenously developed Fatah-IV would operate as part of ARFC.[9]

On 28 April 2026, the Army Rocket Force Command carried out a successful "training launch" of the Fatah-II multiple launch rocket system (MRLs).[10]

On 7 May 2026, Fatah-III supersonic cruise missile unveiled by Pakistan Military media wing ISPR during a press briefing on the first anniversary of Operation Bunyan al-Marsoos.[11][12]

On 14 May 2026, the Army Rocket Force Command conducted the second successful test-fire of the indigenously developed Fatah-IV ground-launched cruise missile, which has a range of 750 km.[13][14]

Equipment

Primary weapons

List of rockets & missiles currently operational with ARFC
Name Image Origin Type Speed Operational Range Warhead Barrels Notes
Fatah-I Pakistan Guided MLRS Subsonic 70 – 140 km Conventional 8
Fatah-II Pakistan Quasi Ballistic Missile Subsonic 400 – 450 km Conventional 2 Fatah-II – 400 km

Fatah-II ER – 450 km

Fatah-III Pakistan Cruise Missile Supersonic 300 – 650 km Conventional Unknown Based on Chinese HD-1
Fatah-IV Pakistan Cruise Missile Subsonic 750 km Conventional 3
Fatah-V Pakistan Unknown Unknown 1000 km (expected)[15] Conventional Unknown

Secondary weapons

List of rockets & missiles suspected/expected to be in service of the ARFC
Name Image Origin Type Speed Operational Range Warhead Barrels Notes
Ghazab Pakistan (MLRS) 40 km Conventional 40 122 mm MLRS.[16] Based on the Soviet BM-21 Grad. The system can launch POF built Yarmuk Rocket having maximum range of more than 40 km.
PHL-81 "Azar" China-Pakistan (MLRS) 40 km Conventional 40 122 mm MLRS. Based on the Type 81 Chinese variant of the BM-21 Grad. Locally designated as the "Azar", having a maximum range of 40 km.[17]
A-100E China Semi-guided (MLRS) 100 km Conventional 10 300 mm MLRS.[18][19][20] The system can launch CALT-built rocket having maximum range of 120 km.[21]


See also

References

  1. ^ Syed, Baqir Sajjad (2025-08-15). "New 'rocket force' to bolster strike capability". Dawn. Retrieved 2025-10-28.
  2. ^ a b Hussain, Abid. "Why has Pakistan launched a new rocket command after India conflict?". Al Jazeera. Retrieved 2025-10-28.
  3. ^ a b Shahzad, Asif (14 August 2025). "Pakistan to create military force to supervise missiles after India conflict". Reuters. Retrieved 15 August 2025.
  4. ^ a b "Pakistan to form Army Rocket Force Command to bolster defence strength". Dawn. APP. 14 August 2025. Retrieved 15 August 2025.
  5. ^ "Pakistan Launches Army Rocket Force Command – A Game-Changer in South Asia's Military Balance". Defence Security Asia. 15 August 2025. Retrieved 19 August 2025.
  6. ^ admin (2026-04-05). "Pakistan's Fatah-5 Could Hit India 1,000 km Away: Islamabad's New Deep-Strike Rocket May Redraw South Asia's Military Balance". Defence Security Asia. Retrieved 2026-04-09.
  7. ^ Azad, Tahir (2025-12-22). "Pakistan's Army Rocket Force: Strategic Leap or Burdened Gamble?". Small Wars Journal by Arizona State University. Retrieved 2026-04-09.
  8. ^ Dawn.com (2025-09-30). "Pakistan Army successfully conducts training launch of Fatah-4 cruise missile". Dawn. Retrieved 2025-11-03.
  9. ^ Mandal, Sohini (2025-08-19). "Update: Pakistan establishes rocket force, unveils new missile". Janes. Retrieved 2025-10-28.
  10. ^ Zehra, Zarmeen (2026-04-28). "Pakistan test-fires indigenously developed Fateh-II missile". Geo News. Retrieved 2026-04-28.
  11. ^ 11K views · 558 reactions | Pakistan Army unveils it's [sic] latest indigenous equipment ⚔️🇵🇰 You will find many surprises in the video. - Fatah-III Cruise Missile. - Long Range Rocket Dispensed Mine System. - Lance IR SAM. - 5th Bakhtar Shikan ATGM. - Short/Medium/Long Range Anti UAV Systems. - Robots. - Long Range Precision Weapon Systems. | Pakistan Strategic Forum. Retrieved 2026-05-07 – via www.facebook.com.
  12. ^ ISPR Official (2026-05-07). DG ISPR Press Conference - 7 May 26 | ISPR. Retrieved 2026-05-07 – via YouTube.
  13. ^ Dawn Report (15 May 2026). "Pakistan successfully test-fires Fatah-IV cruise missile". Dawn. Retrieved 17 May 2026.
  14. ^ Quwa (14 May 2026). "Pakistan Army tests Fatah-4 ground-launched cruise missile". Quwa Defense News & Analysis. Retrieved 17 May 2026.
  15. ^ admin (2026-01-10). "Pakistan Set to Test 1,000km Fatah-5 Rocket in 2026, Transforming Rocket Artillery into Strategic-Depth Strike Weapon". Defence Security Asia. Retrieved 2026-05-07.
  16. ^ Ansari, Usman (10 October 2011). "Pakistan Pushes Artillery Upgrade Program". Defense News.
  17. ^ "SIPRI Arms Transfers Database". Archived from the original on 2009-08-05. Retrieved 2012-01-02.
  18. ^ Ansari, Usman (10 October 2011). "Pakistan Pushes Artillery Upgrade Program". Defense News.
  19. ^ "China Calendar year: 2012". un-register.org. Archived from the original on 17 December 2017. Retrieved 16 December 2017.
  20. ^ "China Calendar year: 2013". un-register.org. Archived from the original on 17 December 2017. Retrieved 16 December 2017.
  21. ^ "Inter Services Public Relations Pakistan". www.ispr.gov.pk. Archived from the original on 22 October 2022. Retrieved 2019-01-04.

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