Preparing India for China’s missile challenge, Pg8

Key Highlights:

• China has deployed over 200 conventional missile launchers opposite India, posing a significant military challenge.
• China views conventional missiles as instruments for both political coercion and war-fighting, targeting critical infrastructure.
• India's current missile inventory, including Agni, LR-LACM, Nirbhay, and BrahMos, has limitations in range and diversity.
• China's DF-26 is a dual-role missile, and its hypersonic missiles like DF-100 and CJ-1000 present a major vulnerability for India.
• India needs to develop a credible conventional missile inventory and establish a Rocket Force to ensure mutual vulnerability and deter aggression.

Ind-China Missile balance.png

Detailed Insights:

• China's missile bases at Korla and Kunming can launch various conventional missiles, with the DF-26 capable of hitting high-value targets deep inside India.
• The Himalayas no longer provide strategic depth for India against China's long-range missile capabilities.
• A dedicated Rocket Force would enable India to hold China's Western Theatre Command (WTC) at risk and degrade its military infrastructure.
• India must adopt counter-value strikes as part of its conventional missile strategy and develop a unified target list.
• The proposed Rocket Force should be placed under the Chief of Defence Staff (CDS) to ensure operational effectiveness.
• Expanding India's medium- and intermediate-range ballistic missile (MRBM/IRBM) inventory is crucial for creating reciprocal risk against Chinese bases.
• Fast-tracking the development of hypersonic missiles is vital, especially given the DF-100 in the PLA Rocket Force's order of battle.
• India needs to enhance private sector participation in missile manufacturing and invest in R&D to overcome technological challenges and reduce foreign dependence.
• Interim measures include dispersing IAF assets, hardening airbases, optimizing air-defence deployment, and expanding satellite surveillance for early detection of mobile launchers.

Key Concepts Involved:

• Rocket Force: A dedicated military branch focused on conventional missile operations for strategic, operational, and tactical strikes.
• Counter-value strikes: Targeting an adversary's economic or population centers to inflict unacceptable costs.
• Counter-force doctrine: Targeting an adversary's military assets and capabilities to degrade their war-fighting potential.
• Dual-role missile: A missile capable of carrying both conventional and nuclear warheads, increasing escalation risks.