Indian Air Force Chief emphasizes on increasing country’s missile strike range; Indian Army to hold exercise along the Pakistan border
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    • Indian Air Force Chief Air Chief Marshal PV Naik, during an interview with the Hindustan Times, emphasized that India must develop strategic missiles with intercontinental reach to deliver warheads more than 5,500 km away, clearly proposing an increase in the country's strike range. India currently plans to cap its strategic missile reach at 5,000 km, establishing a posture of deterrence against China and Pakistan. However, Naik argues that India's rising global stature demands developing intercontinental ballistic missiles (ICBM). This is the first time that a serving military chief has argued for broadening India's strike capabilities beyond the immediate neighbourhood. Naik, who also heads the chiefs of staff committee, further stated, "India should pursue an ICBM programme to acquire ranges of 10,000 km or even more. Breaking out of the regional context is important as the country's sphere of influence grows. We have no territorial designs on any country, but India needs the capability to match its sphere of influence." The Air Chief believes that India is capable of developing an ICBM. According to him, "There's no point capping the missile programme at 5,000 km. If we have the technical capability, we should build on it." At present, the 3,000-km range Agni-III is the only missile in the Indian arsenal that can strike targets inside China. 1

    Meanwhile, the Indian Army is to hold a massive exercise in the winters along the western border with Pakistan involving the elite 21 Strike Corps, mobilizing over 20,000 troops and over 200 tanks. The exercise will be part of the Army's routine war games to fine-tune its war-fighting concepts and doctrines. During the exercise, the Army troops will also practice joint operations, with the Indian Air Force fighters. The exercise will also involve precision munition and advance surveillance systems to achieve a greater degree of network centric capability. It is worth noting that after its experience in 'Operation Parakram', the Indian Army has been practicing manoeuvres to reduce the time taken to mobilise its troops swiftly to attack enemy formations. The exercise is expected to sharpen the skills of the army further.2

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