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India Must Build Rocket Force to Counter China's 200+ Missile Launchers: Lt Gen Analysis

Target:UPSC GS-IIIMPSCSSC GATeachingPrelims HighMains HighStatic GK Link
29 Jun 2026
~2 min
Source: The Hindu
Key Data:200+ conventional missile launchersDF-15BDF-16DF-21CDF-26DF-100
Bodies:PLA Rocket ForceDRDOChief of Defence Staff
Practice MCQs from today's news ▸
What This Article Covers

1.China has deployed 200+ conventional missile launchers opposite India, including DF-15B, DF-16, DF-21C, DF-26, and hypersonic DF-100/CJ-1000.

2.India views missiles as deterrents; China uses them for political coercion and war-fighting, reducing the strategic depth of the Himalayas.

3.India's rocket force remains a conceptual construct; the article recommends doctrinal, structural, and technological reforms under the CDS.

The Big Picture
Prelims · HighMains · High

China has deployed over 200 conventional missile launchers opposite India, including hypersonic missiles like DF-100. India lacks a dedicated rocket force and faces critical gaps in missile inventory, real-time targeting, and hypersonic technology. The article argues India must urgently build a credible conventional rocket force under the CDS to deter a missile war below the nuclear threshold.

Exam Lens

Quick Exam Facts From News

Chinese Missile BasesKorla and Kunming
Chinese Missiles (Border Targets)DF-15B, DF-16, DF-21C
Chinese Missile (Deep Strike)DF-26 (dual-role, can hit high-value targets in depth)
Hypersonic Missiles (China)DF-100 and CJ-1000 (no launch warning)
India's Long-Range SystemsAgni, Nirbhay (LR-LACM), BrahMos
Proposed Command AuthorityUnder Chief of Defence Staff (CDS)

1-Minute Revision

  • ›Chinese Missile Bases: Korla and Kunming
  • ›Chinese Missiles (Border Targets): DF-15B, DF-16, DF-21C
  • ›Target this Data: China has deployed over 200 conventional missile launchers opposite India.
  • ›Target this Nodal Body: The proposed rocket force should be under the Chief of Defence Staff (CDS).
  • ›Target this Legal Point: The article discusses counter-value vs counter-force doctrine in conventional missile strategy.

Mastered this topic? Test your knowledge with a full MCQ quiz.

Practice exam-style questions, track your score, and strengthen your recall.

Q1Static LinkageEasy

Which Indian military authority is recommended to command the proposed rocket force?

Q2Statement-basedHard

Consider the following statements regarding China's missile arsenal as mentioned in the article:

1. China has deployed over 200 conventional missile launchers opposite India.

2. The DF-26 missile is primarily designed to hit military targets along the borders.

3. China's hypersonic missiles DF-100 and CJ-1000 provide no launch warning.

Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

Q3Data-centricMedium

According to the article, which Chinese missile base is capable of firing the DF-26 missile?

Q4Application/ImpactMedium

What is the primary strategic objective of India building a dedicated rocket force as argued in the article?

All 15 MCQs ▸
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