India is actively moving towards establishing a dedicated rocket-missile force, a significant development confirmed by Indian Army Chief General Upendra Dwivedi. This strategic decision is primarily driven by the need to counter similar, specialized military units already operational in adversarial nations like China and Pakistan. General Dwivedi emphasized that such a force is the "need of the hour" given the evolving regional security landscape and the intertwined nature of rockets and missiles in modern warfare, both capable of delivering decisive impact. The proposed rocket-missile force is envisioned to integrate long-range rockets and missiles under a unified command, incorporating existing indigenous systems such as the Pinaka multi-barrel rocket launcher, Pralay tactical ballistic missile, and BrahMos supersonic cruise missile. India has been expanding its long-range strike capabilities, with successful tests of the Pinaka system reaching a range of 120 km and plans to extend ranges further to 150 km and eventually 300-450 km. The discussion around learning from Iran, which is noted for arguably possessing one of the world's largest and most potent missile forces, serves as an analytical perspective within the article on potential strategies and capabilities India could consider. This development comes against the backdrop of recent conflicts, including 'Operation Sindoor' in May 2025, an India-Pakistan confrontation where India launched missile strikes on terror infrastructure, subsequently leading Pakistan to establish its Army Rocket Force Command. The Indian Army is also focusing on enhancing its combat prowess through the induction of drones, missiles, and air defence weapons, drawing lessons from such operations. The formation of an Integrated Rocket Force (IRF) has been a long-pending demand, with experts highlighting the need for tri-service synergy and clear command and control structures to effectively bolster India's conventional deterrence capabilities. This move signifies a major shift in India's defence doctrine to enhance its stand-off strike capabilities and prepare for non-contact warfare.