Indian defense expert Pravin Sawhney says Pakistan’s creation of the Army Rocket Force Command, its integration with the PLA, and the successful development of Babur-III mark a new era in South Asian deterrence. He argues that Pakistan’s “operational level of war” concept now gives it parity or even superiority over India in conventional terms, removing any need for nuclear testing.
In a recent in depth analysis, Pravin Sawhney, Editor in Chief of FORCE Magazine and one of India’s most respected defense commentators, delivered a sobering assessment of Pakistan’s rapidly evolving military capabilities. His remarks came in response to former U.S. President Donald Trump’s recent comments naming Pakistan among countries “conducting nuclear-related testing,” alongside Russia, China, and North Korea.
While Trump’s comments stirred speculation, Sawhney provided much-needed context distinguishing between nuclear weapon testing and system testing, and explaining why Pakistan’s advancements are primarily conventional but strategically decisive.
“Trump refused to make a very clear cut distinction between nuclear testing and testing of systems used for the delivery of nuclear weapons,” Sawhney observed, noting that “when the President of America talks about nuclear testing, the whole world sits up.”
Pakistan’s Strategic Maturity and Conventional Balance
Sawhney emphasized that Pakistan has little incentive to conduct new nuclear tests, as its conventional deterrence and strategic stability have reached a credible balance with India, largely through structural and conceptual reforms within its armed forces.
“India has been doing proxy war in Jammu and Kashmir, and the reason for that is very simple that they (Pakistan) are confident that they have the capability. In case India does go to war, they can take on India,” Sawhney explained.
He further argued that Pakistan has achieved parity with India at the “operational level of war” the decisive layer between tactical engagements and full-scale strategic conflict.
“The Pakistanis were able to match the Indian military at the operational level of war… In all the wars they fought 1965 or 1971 the military line still exists on the ground. That line, first the ceasefire line and later the Line of Control, proves that Pakistan matched India at the operational level.”
Rise of the Pakistan Army Rocket Force
One of Sawhney’s most striking observations concerned Pakistan’s creation of the Army Rocket Force Command, which he described as a transformational development inspired by close interaction with China’s People’s Liberation Army (PLA).
“After Operation Sindhoor, Pakistan took one big structural reform,” he stated. “They have raised an Army Rocket Force Command under the Pakistan Army. Now the concept of operational level of war has come alive.”
According to Sawhney, this command equipped with conventional missile systems fills the critical gap between Pakistan’s conventional and nuclear forces.
Quoting Pakistan’s Lt. Gen. Khan Iqbal, Sawhney noted: “The Pakistan Army Rocket Force Command is creating a level between the conventional war and the nuclear war. This command will only have conventional missiles.”
This, he explained, aligns perfectly with the Soviet concept of operational warfare, adapted through Chinese doctrinal influence a key area where Pakistan now holds a decisive conceptual edge.
Integration with China and the Emergence of “One-Front Integrated War”
Sawhney also highlighted Operation Sindhu, which he described as a turning point in Pakistan China military coordination.
“In Operation Sindhoor, for the first time, we saw what I call the one-front integrated war where the PLA supported the Pakistan military to the hilt with its non kinetic capabilities,” he said.
He argued that the PLA’s silent but significant support demonstrated the deep level of trust and interoperability between the two militaries, especially in cyber, electronic, and space based domains what Sawhney calls “non kinetic warfare.”
Pakistan’s Pursuit of Sea-Based Deterrence
Sawhney underscored Pakistan’s progress toward achieving a credible second-strike capability, pointing to the successful testing of the Babur III submarine launched cruise missile (SLBM).
“They have tested their SLBM Babur-III first in 2017, then in 2018 and now this is to be integrated with the Hangor-class submarines from China,” he explained. “This test was not a nuclear test; it was a test of the missile system that will carry the nuclear warhead.”
This development, according to him, marks a major stride toward sea based deterrence, a capability that brings Pakistan into the same strategic league as major powers.
Pakistan’s Rising Global Standing
Sawhney asserted that Pakistan’s performance in Operation Sindhu and its disciplined approach to deterrence have significantly raised its geopolitical profile.
“After Sindhoor, the world assessed that the Pakistan military gave a good performance. Based on that, the geopolitical profile of Pakistan has risen substantially,” he said.
He predicted that in any future crisis, China would fully support Pakistan, not only diplomatically but also in ensuring its territorial sovereignty.
“China has consistently maintained that it will support the territorial integrity and sovereignty of Pakistan,” Sawhney added. “With Chinese backing, Pakistan’s conventional capabilities will be more than a match against the Indian military.”
India’s Strategic Shortcomings
Sawhney was equally blunt about India’s failures to adapt. He criticized the Indian military establishment for not understanding or implementing the operational level of warfare, which Pakistan and China now employ effectively.
“The Indian military still operates only at two levels strategy and tactics,” Sawhney said. “They have not understood the operational level of war, which is where campaigns are won.”
He cautioned that without structural and doctrinal reforms, India would remain reactive rather than proactive, especially in facing a joint China Pakistan front.
Final Assessment: No Need for Nuclear Testing
Concluding his analysis, Sawhney dismissed the notion that Pakistan is conducting nuclear tests, arguing that its focus remains on strengthening delivery systems, deterrence posture, and operational integration.
“There is no need for Pakistan to do a nuclear test. Why should they jeopardize their geopolitical status?” he asked. “Today, all three great powers China, Russia, and the United States have good relations with Pakistan. It would make no sense for Islamabad to risk that.”
Sawhney suggested that Trump’s remarks were more political than factual, aimed at projecting strength to a domestic audience.
“Trump wanted to send a message back home that he is interacting with China and Russia from a position of strength. That’s all,” he concluded.
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