India has cleared the creation of a new tri-service missile force, marking a significant step in its military modernisation. The Conventional Missile Force, or CMF, will integrate the capabilities of the Army, Navy, and Air Force under a single command structure.

This unified force will be tasked with operating ballistic, quasi-ballistic, and hypersonic missile systems, thereby enhancing India’s conventional strike capabilities.

The Chiefs of Staff Committee has already approved the plan, which has also received backing from the National Security Advisor. The proposal now awaits final clearance from the government. Once established, the CMF will represent a major organisational shift in India’s defence posture, ensuring that missile assets across the services are coordinated under a centralised command for maximum effectiveness.

The CMF is designed to mirror similar structures in neighbouring countries. China’s People’s Liberation Army Rocket Force has long been a central pillar of its military strategy, while Pakistan has established its own Army Rocket Force Command. India’s move to create a comparable force signals its intent to strengthen deterrence and conventional strike options alongside its nuclear arsenal.

This development is particularly relevant given the evolving security environment in Asia, where missile forces are increasingly seen as critical tools of power projection and deterrence.

The integration of ballistic and hypersonic systems under one command will allow India to deploy a wide spectrum of missile capabilities. Ballistic missiles provide long-range precision strike options, while quasi-ballistic systems offer manoeuvrability to evade defences.

Hypersonic missiles, still under development, promise unprecedented speed and penetration capabilities. Together, these systems will give India a layered and flexible strike capability, enhancing its ability to respond to regional threats.

The creation of the CMF also reflects India’s broader strategy of modernising its armed forces and reducing reliance on fragmented service-specific structures. By uniting missile assets under one umbrella, India aims to improve efficiency, reduce duplication, and ensure rapid decision-making in times of crisis.

This move is expected to significantly boost India’s conventional deterrence posture, particularly in the context of its strategic competition with China.

India’s decision to establish the CMF underscores its recognition of the changing nature of warfare, where precision long-range strike capabilities are increasingly decisive. It also highlights New Delhi’s determination to keep pace with regional adversaries and to project credible deterrence across multiple domains.

The CMF, once operational, will stand as a cornerstone of India’s evolving military doctrine, complementing its nuclear capabilities while providing robust conventional options.

IDN (With Agency Inputs)