Editing Strategic Forces Command

{{Use dmy dates|date=November 2019}}
{{Use Indian English|date=November 2019}}
{{otheruses}}
{{Infobox military unit
| unit_name                     = Strategic Forces Command
| image                         = SFC Insignia.png
| image_size                    = 250px
| caption                       = [[Insignia]] of the Strategic Forces Command
| start_date                    = {{Start date and age|df=yes|2003|01|04}}
| country                       = {{Flag|India}}
| allegiance                    = 
| branch                        = {{Flagicon image|Flag of Indian Armed Forces.svg|23px}} [[Indian Armed Forces]]
| type                          = [[Indian Armed Forces Tri-Service Commands|Integrated tri-services command]]
| role                          = 
| size                          = 
| command_structure             = 
| garrison                      = 
| garrison_label                = 
| nickname                      = SFC
| motto                         = 
| colors                        = <!-- or | colours = -->
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| march                         = 
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| equipment                     = 
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| battles                       = 
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| disbanded                     = 
| website                       = 
| current_commander             = [[Vice Admiral (India)|Vice Admiral]] [[Suraj Berry]]
| commander1                    = 
| commander1_label              = [[Commander-in-Chief, Strategic Forces Command|Commander-in-Chief]]
| commander2                    = 
| commander2_label              = 
| notable_commanders            = <!-- Insignia -->
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| identification_symbol_2_label = <!-- Aircraft -->
| aircraft_attack               = 
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}}

The '''Strategic Forces Command''' ('''SFC'''), sometimes called '''Strategic Nuclear Command''', forms part of India's [[Nuclear Command Authority (India)|Nuclear Command Authority]] (NCA). It is responsible for the management and administration of the country's [[Tactical nuclear weapon|tactical]] and [[Strategic nuclear weapon|strategic]] [[nuclear weapon]]s stockpile.<ref name="India all set to set up nuclear forces command">{{cite news|title=India all set to set up nuclear forces command|url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/India-all-set-to-set-up-nuclear-forces-command/articleshow/32896380.cms|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130511032234/http://articles.timesofindia.indiatimes.com/2002-12-30/india/27320878_1_nuclear-command-sfc-strategic-forces-command|url-status=live|archive-date=11 May 2013|access-date=27 June 2012|newspaper=[[The Times of India]]|date=30 December 2002}}</ref> It was created on 4 January 2003 by the [[13th Lok Sabha|Vajpayee Government]].<ref name="Nuke command set up, button in PM's hand">{{cite news|title=Nuke command set up, button in PM's hand|url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/Nuke-command-set-up-button-in-PMs-hand/articleshow/33382162.cms|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130511013323/http://articles.timesofindia.indiatimes.com/2003-01-04/india/27281139_1_nuclear-command-and-control-nuclear-arsenal-nuclear-retaliation|url-status=live|archive-date=11 May 2013|access-date=27 June 2012|newspaper=[[The Times of India]]|date=4 January 2003}}</ref> [[Air marshal (India)|Air Marshal]] Teja Mohan Asthana became its first [[Commander-in-Chief, Strategic Forces Command|commander-in-chief]].<ref name="Air Marshal Asthana to head Strategic Forces Command">{{cite news|title=Air Marshal Asthana to head Strategic Forces Command|url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/Air-Marshal-Asthana-to-head-Strategic-Forces-Command/articleshow/33995158.cms|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130511030611/http://articles.timesofindia.indiatimes.com/2003-01-10/india/27285210_1_nuclear-command-and-control-strategic-forces-command-sfc|url-status=live|archive-date=11 May 2013|access-date=27 June 2012|newspaper=[[The Times of India]]|date=10 January 2003}}</ref><ref name=zn28j13>{{cite news|title=Indian Army wants sole right over post of Strategic Forces Commander|url=http://zeenews.india.com/news/nation/indian-army-wants-sole-right-over-post-of-strategic-forces-commander_865310.html|access-date=30 July 2013|newspaper=Zee News|date=29 July 2013}}</ref>

== Responsibility ==
It is the responsibility of the Strategic Forces Command (SFC) to operationalize the directives of the [[Nuclear Command Authority (India)|Nuclear Command Authority]] (NCA) under the leadership of a [[Commander-in-Chief, Strategic Forces Command|Commander-in-Chief]] who is a [[three-star rank]] [[Officer (armed forces)|officer]]. It will have the sole responsibility of initiating the process of delivering nuclear weapons and warheads, after acquiring explicit approval from the NCA. The exact selection of the target area shall be decided by the SFC through a calibrated, cumulative process involving various levels of decision-making, and with formal approval by the NCA.<ref name="Air Marshal Asthana to head Strategic Forces Command" /><ref name=zn28j13/>

The SFC manages and administers all strategic forces by exercising complete command and control over nuclear assets, and producing all contingency plans as needed to fulfill the required tasks. Since its inception, the SFC's command, control and communication systems have been firmly established, and the command has attained a high state of operational readiness.<ref name="Agni-I launched for the first time by Strategic Forces Command">{{cite news|title=Agni-I launched for the first time by Strategic Forces Command|url=http://news.outlookindia.com/items.aspx?artid=556137|access-date=27 June 2012|newspaper=Outlook India|date=23 March 2008|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130510143612/http://news.outlookindia.com/items.aspx?artid=556137|archive-date=10 May 2013}}</ref>

== Assets ==
{{see also|Nuclear triad|India and weapons of mass destruction}}
The estimated 68 nuclear warheads<ref name="auto">{{cite journal |title=Indian nuclear forces, 2017 |first1=Hans M.|last1=Kristensen|first2=Robert S.|last2=Norris|journal=Bulletin of the Atomic Scientists|volume=73|issue=4|pages=205–209|doi=10.1080/00963402.2017.1337998|year = 2017|bibcode=2017BuAtS..73d.205K|doi-access=free}}</ref> of land-based nuclear weapons of India are under the control of and deployed by the Strategic Forces Command,<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://pib.gov.in/newsite/printrelease.aspx?relid=155897|title=Successful Test launch of AGNI V|website=Press Information Bureau, Government of India|access-date=2019-08-18}}</ref> using a variety of both vehicles and launching silos. They currently consist of three different types of [[ballistic missile]]s, the [[Agni-I]], the [[Agni-II]], [[Agni-III]], [[Shaurya missile|Shaurya]] and the Army's variant of the [[Prithvi (missile)|Prithvi missile]] family – the Prithvi-I. Additional variants of the Agni missile series have recently been inducted including the most recent, the [[Agni-IV]]<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.hindustantimes.com/india-news/agni-v-to-undergo-one-more-pre-induction-test/story-a9OcIgjWaRUyMbBoSOnM5M.html|title=Agni-V set to be inducted by December after one more test|date=2018-08-14|website=Hindustan Times|language=en|access-date=2020-02-18}}</ref> and the [[Agni-VI|Agni-V]], which is currently being deployed.<ref>{{Cite news|last=Pubby|first=Manu|url=https://economictimes.indiatimes.com/news/defence/confident-of-doubling-range-of-the-astra-will-be-the-most-lethal-air-to-air-missile-drdo-chief/articleshow/72120351.cms|title=Confident of doubling range of the Astra, will be the most lethal air to air missile: DRDO Chief|date=2019-11-19|work=The Economic Times|access-date=2020-02-18}}</ref> [[Agni-VI]] is also under development, with an estimated range of 8,000–12,000&nbsp;km and features such as [[Multiple independently targetable reentry vehicle]]s (MIRVs) or [[Maneuverable reentry vehicle]]s (MARVs).<ref>{{cite news |title=Advanced Agni-6 missile with multiple warheads likely by 2017 |url=http://www.business-standard.com/article/economy-policy/advanced-agni-6-missile-with-multiple-warheads-likely-by-2017-113050800034_1.html |access-date=1 October 2013|newspaper=Business Standard India |date=2013-05-07 |last1=Shukla |first1=Ajai }}</ref><ref>{{cite news |last=Subramanian |first=T.S. |title=Agni-VI all set to take shape |url=http://www.thehindu.com/news/national/agnivi-all-set-to-take-shape/article4379416.ece?homepage=true |access-date=1 October 2013|newspaper=The Hindu |date=2013-02-04 }}</ref>
[[File:Agni-V missile during rehearsal of Republic Day Parade 2013.jpg|alt=|thumb|The [[Agni-V]] ballistic missile at Republic Day parade.]]

The Prithvi missile inducted into India’s Strategic Forces Command in 2003, the first missile to be developed under India’s prestigious IGMDP strengthens India’s nuclear deterrence A missile unit of the elite Strategic Forces Command (SFC) successfully launched a Prithvi missile on 7 January 2014 from the test range at Chandipur.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://pib.gov.in/newsite/PrintRelease.aspx?relid=102331 |title=Prithvi Launch Successful |date=7 January 2014 |website=Press Information Bureau, [[Ministry of Defence (India)]]}}</ref>

It was reported by ''Hindustan Times'' on 12 September 2010 that to increase its lethal power, India's tri-services strike force is planning to acquire 40 fighter planes capable of delivering nuclear weapons. The SFC has submitted a proposal to the Defence Ministry for setting up two dedicated squadrons of fighter aircraft which will act as a mini-Air Force. This will be the first time that the SFC, which at present depends on the Indian Air Force for delivering nuclear weapons under its command, will have its own aerial assets.<ref name="HT">{{Cite web|url=http://www.hindustantimes.com/Strategic-Command-to-acquire-40-nuclear-capable-fighters/Article1-599141.aspx|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20101017160849/http://www.hindustantimes.com/Strategic-Command-to-acquire-40-nuclear-capable-fighters/Article1-599141.aspx|url-status=dead|title=Strategic Command to acquire 40 nuclear capable fighters|archivedate=17 October 2010}}</ref>

{| class="wikitable"
|+ {{bigger|Land-based ballistic missiles}}
|-
! Name
! Type
! Range (km)
! Status
|-
| '''[[Prithvi (missile)|Prithvi-I]]'''{{nbsp|2}} || [[Short-range ballistic missile]] || 150 || rowspan="9" | Deployed
|-
| '''[[Prithvi (missile)|Prithvi-II]]'''{{nbsp|2}} || Short-range ballistic missile || 250–350
|-
| '''[[Prithvi (missile)|Prithvi-III]]'''{{nbsp|2}} || Short-range ballistic missile || 350–600
|-
| '''[[Agni-I]]'''   ||  [[Medium-range ballistic missile]] || 700
|-
| '''[[Shaurya missile|Shaurya]]'''   ||  [[Medium-range ballistic missile]] || 700-1900
|-
| '''[[Agni-II]]'''  || Medium-range ballistic missile || 2,000–3,000
|-
| '''[[Agni-III]]''' || [[Intermediate-range ballistic missile]] || 3,500–5,000
|-
| '''[[Agni-IV]]'''  || Intermediate-range ballistic missile || 4000
|-
| '''[[Agni-V]]'''   || [[Intercontinental ballistic missile]] || 5,000–8,000
|-
| '''[[Agni-VI]]'''  || Intercontinental ballistic missile & MIRV || 8,000–12,000 || Under development
|-
| '''[[Agni-P]]'''    ||  [[Medium-range ballistic missile]] || 1,000–2,000
|Under Testing
|-
| '''[[Surya missile|Surya]]'''  || Intercontinental ballistic missile & MIRV || 12,000–16,000 || Unconfirmed
|}

=== Air-launched nuclear weapons ===
[[File:Dassault Mirage 2000.jpg|alt=|thumb|The [[Mirage 2000]] of the Indian Air Force is believed to be assigned the nuclear strike role, operating from Maharajpur Air Force Station.]]
Nuclear-armed fighter-bombers were India's first and only nuclear-capable strike force until 2003, when the country's first land-based nuclear ballistic missiles were fielded.<ref name="auto"/>

In addition to their [[Attack aircraft|ground-attack]] role, it is believed that the [[Dassault Mirage 2000]]s and [[SEPECAT Jaguar]]s of the [[Indian Air Force]] are able to provide a secondary nuclear-strike role.<ref>[http://www.openbriefing.org/issuedesks/nuclearissues/indian-nuclear-forces-2012/ Indian Nuclear Forces] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140820113841/http://www.openbriefing.org/issuedesks/nuclearissues/indian-nuclear-forces-2012/ |date=20 August 2014 }}, 14 July 2012.</ref> The SEPECAT Jaguar was designed to be able to carry and deploy nuclear weapons and the Indian Air Force has identified the jet as being capable of delivering Indian nuclear weapons.<ref>[https://web.archive.org/web/20130514044336/http://articles.economictimes.indiatimes.com/2012-10-17/news/34525680_1_jaguar-strike-fighters-stealth-fifth-generation-fighter-aircraft-rafale-fighters India plans to impart power punch to Jaguar fighters], October 2012.</ref> The most likely delivery method would be the use of bombs that are [[Unguided bomb|free-falling and unguided]].<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.cdi.org/issues/nukef&f/database/innukes.html |title=CDI Nuclear Issues Area – Nuclear Weapons Database: French Nuclear Delivery Systems |publisher=cdi.org |access-date=16 July 2010}}</ref>

Three airbases with four squadrons of Mirage 2000H (about 16 aircraft with 16 bombs from 1st and 7th squadrons of the 40th Wing at [[Maharajpur Air Force Station]]) and Jaguar IS/IB (about 32 aircraft with 32 bombs from one squadron each at [[Ambala Air Force Station]] and [[Air Force Area (Gorakhpur)|Gorakhpur Air Force Station]]) aircraft, are believed to be assigned the nuclear strike role.<ref name="auto"/>

=== Sea-based ballistic missile ===
[[File:B05 SLBM (cropped).jpg|thumb|[[Sagarika (missile)|K-15 Sagarika]] SLBM]]
The [[Indian Navy]] has developed two sea-based delivery systems for nuclear weapons, completing Indian ambitions for a [[nuclear triad]], which may have been deployed in 2015.<ref>{{cite news|last1=Peri|first1=Dinakar|title=India's Nuclear Triad Finally Coming of Age|url=https://thediplomat.com/2014/06/indias-nuclear-triad-finally-coming-of-age/|access-date=10 March 2015|agency=The Diplomat|date=12 June 2014}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.livemint.com/Politics/lvVxsu1L5GPLvD7Z5j3baJ/Nuclear-triad-weapons-ready-for-deployment-DRDO.html|title=Nuclear triad weapons ready for deployment: DRDO|date=2014-07-07}}</ref>
[[File:Arihant_1.jpg|thumb|A conceptual drawing of [[INS Arihant]]]]
The first is a submarine-launched system consisting of at least four 6,000 tonne ([[Nuclear submarine|nuclear-powered]]) [[ballistic missile submarine]]s of the [[Arihant class submarine|Arihant class]]. The first vessel, [[INS Arihant|INS ''Arihant'']], has been launched and will complete extensive sea-trials before being commissioned and declared operational. She is the first nuclear-powered submarine to be built by India.<ref>{{cite news|last=Unnithan|first=Sandeep|title=The secret undersea weapon|url=http://indiatoday.intoday.in/story/The+secret+undersea+weapon/1/3659.html|access-date = 11 November 2012|newspaper=India Today|date=28 January 2008}}</ref><ref name="IT">"Indian nuclear submarine", India Today, August 2007 edition</ref> A [[CIA]] report claimed that Russia provided technological aid to the naval nuclear propulsion program.<ref name=eipyi>{{cite news|title=Russia helped India's nuke programme: CIA|url=http://www.expressindia.com/news/fullstory.php?newsid=18265|archive-url=https://archive.today/20130122191933/http://www.expressindia.com/news/fullstory.php?newsid=18265|url-status=dead|archive-date=22 January 2013|access-date=2 January 2013|agency=Press Trust of India|date=9 January 2003}}</ref><ref name=tda>{{cite news|title=Russia helped Indian nuclear programme, says CIA|url=http://archives.dawn.com/2003/01/10/top5.htm|access-date = 2 January 2013|newspaper=The Dawn|date=9 January 2009}}</ref> The submarines will be armed with up to 12 [[Sagarika (missile)|Sagarika]] (K-15) missiles armed with nuclear warheads. Sagarika is a [[submarine-launched ballistic missile]] with a range of 700&nbsp;km. This missile has a length of 8.5 meters, weighs seven tonnes and can carry a pay load of up to 500&nbsp;kg.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.hindu.com/2008/02/27/stories/2008022757940100.htm |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080229234524/http://www.hindu.com/2008/02/27/stories/2008022757940100.htm |url-status=dead |archive-date=29 February 2008 |title=Sagarika missile test-fired successfully |date=27 February 2008 |access-date = 31 August 2010 |work=[[The Hindu]] |location=Chennai, India}}</ref> Sagarika has already been test-fired from an underwater pontoon, but now [[DRDO]] is planning a full-fledged test of the missile from a submarine and for this purpose may use the services of the [[Russian Navy]].<ref name=autogenerated5>{{cite web|url=http://www.rediff.com/news/2008/jul/06astra.htm |title=Coming from India's defense unit: ASTRA missile |work=Rediff.com |date=31 December 2004 |access-date = 31 August 2010}}</ref> India's [[DRDO]] is also working on a submarine-launched ballistic missile version of the Agni-III missile, known as the Agni-III SL. According to Indian defence sources, the Agni-III SL will have a range of {{convert|3500|km}}.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.hinduonnet.com/thehindu/holnus/000200805071441.htm |title=Agni-III test-fired successfully |publisher=Hinduonnet.com |date=7 May 2008 |access-date=31 August 2010 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110606185112/http://www.hinduonnet.com/thehindu/holnus/000200805071441.htm |archive-date=6 June 2011 |url-status=usurped }}</ref> The new missile will complement the older and less capable Sagarika submarine-launched ballistic missiles. However, the Arihant class ballistic missile submarines will be only capable of carrying a maximum of four Agni-III SL.

The second is a ship-launched system based around the short range ship-launched Dhanush ballistic missile (a variant of the [[Prithvi (missile)|Prithvi missile]]). It has a range of around 300&nbsp;km. In the year 2000 the missile was test-fired from INS ''Subhadra'' (a [[Sukanya class patrol craft]]). INS Subhadra was modified for the test and the missile was launched from the reinforced helicopter deck. The results were considered partially successful.<ref name="nrdc.org">{{cite web|url=http://www.nrdc.org/nuclear/nudb/datab20.asp |title=Nuclear Data – Table of Indian Nuclear Forces, 2002 |publisher=NRDC |access-date = 16 July 2010}}</ref> In 2004, the missile was again tested from INS ''Subhadra'' and this time the results were reported successful.<ref name="bharat-rakshak.com">{{cite web |url=http://www.bharat-rakshak.com/MISSILES/Prithvi.html |title= Prithvi SRBM|website=www.bharat-rakshak.com |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090918064715/http://www.bharat-rakshak.com/MISSILES/Prithvi.html |archive-date=18 September 2009}}</ref> In December 2005 the missile was tested again, but this time from the [[destroyer]] [[INS Rajput (D51)|INS ''Rajput'']]. The test was a success with the missile hitting the land based target.<ref name="domain-b.com">{{cite web |url=http://www.domain-b.com/aero/20070331_fired.htm |title=Dhanush, naval surface-to-surface missile, test fired successfully |publisher=domain-b.com |date=31 March 2007 |access-date=31 August 2010}}</ref>

{| class="wikitable"
|+ {{bigger|Sea-based ballistic missiles}}
|-
! Name
! Type
! Range (km)
! Status
|-
| '''[[Prithvi missile|Dhanush]]''' ||[[Short-range ballistic missile]]|| 350 || Operational<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.spsnavalforces.com/exclusive/?id=174&h=India-s-Dhanush-Undergoes-1st-Night-Test|title=India s Dhanush Undergoes 1st Night Test – SP's Naval Forces|access-date=27 July 2015}}</ref>
|-
| '''[[Sagarika (missile)|Sagarika (K-15)]]'''{{nbsp|2}} ||[[Submarine-launched ballistic missile]]|| 700 || Operational
|-
| '''[[K-4 (SLBM)|K-4]]''' ||[[Submarine-launched ballistic missile]]|| 3,500 || Serial Production<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.business-standard.com/article/pti-stories/india-test-fires-long-range-n-missile-launched-from-under-sea-114032501060_1.html|title=India test fires long range N-missile launched from under sea|author=Press Trust of India|date=25 March 2014|access-date=27 July 2015|newspaper=Business Standard India}}</ref>
|-
| '''[[K-5 (ballistic missile)|K-5]]''' ||[[Submarine-launched ballistic missile]]|| 5,000 || Under Development<ref>{{cite web |last1=Keck |first1=Zachary |title=India's First Ballistic Missile Sub to Begin Sea Trials |url=https://thediplomat.com/2013/07/indias-first-ballistic-missile-sub-to-begin-sea-trials/ |website=The Diplomat |date=30 July 2013}}</ref>
|-
| '''[[K-6 (missile)|K-6]]''' || [[Submarine-launched ballistic missile]]|| 6,000 || Under Development<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.newindianexpress.com/states/odisha/2018/dec/15/maiden-trial-of-pralay-k5-likely-soon-1911623.html|title=DRDO on long range Pralay, K5 to stalemate China soon|website=The New Indian Express|date=15 December 2018 |access-date=2020-02-18}}</ref>
|}

==List of Commanders==
{{see|Commander-in-Chief, Strategic Forces Command}}

==See also==

; Integrated entities

* [[Defence Planning Committee]], tri-services command at policy level with NSA as its chief
* [[Chief of Defence Staff (India)]], professional head of the Indian Armed Forces
* [[Integrated Defence Staff]], tri-services command at strategic level composed of MoD, MEA and tri-services staff
* [[Indian Armed Forces Tri-Service Commands]]
** [[Northern Theatre Command (India)]]
** [[Western Theatre Command (India)]]
** [[Maritime Theatre Command]]
** [[Air Defence Command (India)]]
** [[Defence Cyber Agency]]
** [[Defence Space Agency]]
** [[Armed Forces Special Operations Division|Special Operations Division]]

; Assets

* [[List of Indian Air Force stations]]
* [[List of Indian Navy bases]]
* [[List of active Indian Navy ships]]
* [[List of countries with overseas military bases#India|India's overseas military bases]]
; General concepts
* [[Joint warfare]], general concept
* [[Minimum Credible Deterrence]]
* [[List of cyber warfare forces]] of other nations

== References ==
{{Reflist}}

{{Military of India}}
{{Strategic forces |state=collapsed}}

{{Indian Air Force}}

[[Category:Military units and formations of India]]
[[Category:Commands of the Indian Armed Forces]]
[[Category:Vajpayee administration]]
[[Category:2003 establishments in India]]
[[Category:Joint military units and formations of India]]
[[Category:Strategic forces]]