• Pakistan is creating a new Army Rocket Force in response to military tensions with India.
• The new force aims to strengthen Pakistan's missile capabilities and conventional warfare readiness.
• Defence spending has increased by 20% following recent conflicts with India.
• Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif emphasized the importance of modern technology in enhancing military strength.
• The announcement coincides with Pakistan’s 78th Independence Day celebrations.

Pakistan will form a new military unit known as the Army Rocket Force to bolster its missile combat capabilities, a strategic move aimed at countering India's military advancements. Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif revealed the initiative during a ceremony commemorating the recent military conflict with India, marking Pakistan's 78th Independence Day. He characterized the new force as a milestone in enhancing the operational capacity of the Pakistan Army, equipped with "modern technology" to target adversaries from all sides, according to SCMP, Channel News Asia, and Reuters.

The announcement follows heightened military tensions between Pakistan and India, particularly after conflicts in May involving missile exchanges and aerial combat. During the ceremony, Sharif emphasized this new force's purpose: "It will improve our conventional war capabilities," highlighting the need for Pakistan to enhance its military response amidst ongoing threats, according to India Times and Dawn.

In addition to establishing the Army Rocket Force, Pakistan has decided to increase its defense budget by 20% for the upcoming fiscal year, reflecting a broader strategy to enhance military capabilities. This budget boost will likely support the acquisition of advanced technology, including the potential acquisition of new fighter jets and defense systems, in response to India's military operations, as noted by military analysts and reported in multiple sources, including India Times and Channel News Asia.

This military initiative comes at a time when Pakistan and India, both nuclear-capable nations, are actively upgrading their military arsenals due to longstanding hostilities dating back to their independence in 1947. The recent violent exchanges and a significant casualty count have escalated these tensions, further solidifying Pakistan's decision to invest in its military capabilities, according to Reuters and Dawn.