India’s defence spending, as a percentage of the GDP has decreased from 2.25 per cent in 2014-15 to 1.91 per cent in 2024-2025. Along with this, there has also been a drop in the share of foreign procurement in capital defence purchases, especially from 2018-19 onwards, with share of foreign procurement being at approximately 49 per cent in 2018-19 declining by more than half at 12.4 per cent in the previous financial year uptil December 2024. The Rationale: Why An Indian Rocket Force Now?
India currently maintains its major missile assets—BrahMos, Prithvi, Pralay, the evolving BM-04, and the Pinaka multi-barrel rocket launcher—across the three services. This siloed distribution leads to operational fragmentation, slower decision cycles, and inefficiencies in both crisis and peacetime deterrence. In the context of Pakistan and China consolidating their own rocket forces under unified commands, Indian strategic circles argue for a centralised, joint-service Rocket Force that would:
Premium ContentPremium ContentSubscription ExpiredSubscription ExpiredYour access to Blueprint has ended. But the story is still unfolding.
No longer a subscriber? There’s a new reason to return.
Introducing Blueprint - A magazine on defence & geopolitics
Introducing Blueprint - A magazine on defence & geopolitics
Like what you read? There’s more in every issue of Blueprint
From military strategy to global diplomacy, Blueprint offers sharp, in-depth reportage on the world’s most consequential issues.
Exclusive pricing for Business Standard digital subscribers
Choose your plan
Exclusive Pricing
Choose your plan
37.5%
₹12,000
Blueprint Digital
₹7,500
annual (digital-only)
₹625/Month
62.5%
₹24,000
Blueprint Complete
₹9,000
annual (digital & print)
₹750/Month
37.5%
₹12,000
Blueprint Digital
₹7,500
annual (digital-only)
₹625/Month
62.5%
₹24,000
Blueprint Complete
₹9,000
annual (digital & print)
₹750/Month
Here's what's included:
Access to the latest issue of the Blueprint digital magazine
Online access to all the upcoming digital magazines along with past digital archives
Delivery of all the upcoming print magazines at your home or office
Full access to Blueprint articles online
Business Standard digital subscription
1-year unlimited complimentary digital access to The New York Times (News, Games, Cooking, Audio, Wirecutter, The Athletic)
Access to the latest issue of the Blueprint digital magazine
Online access to all the upcoming digital magazines along with past digital archives
* Delivery of all the upcoming print magazines at your home or office
Full access to Blueprint articles online
Business Standard digital subscription
1-year unlimited complimentary digital access to The New York Times (News, Games, Cooking, Audio, Wirecutter, The Athletic)
 "Defence spending, foreign buys decline")
