DECEMBER 2020
ISSUE NO. 427
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Attribution: Kartik Bommakanti, “China’s Cruise Missile Capabilities: Implications for the Indian Army and Air
Force,” ORF Issue Brief No. 427, December 2020, Observer Research Foundation.
ABSTRACT This brief evaluates the state and development of China’s cruise missile
capabilities, specifically that of its air-launched and ground-launched missile forces. It
finds that China has developed a formidable inventory of cruise missiles, which poses a
threat to India’s own military infrastructure. The brief lays out the imperative for India:
to build up its long-range cruise missile forces. It argues that India’s current capabilities
would not allow its military to conduct long-range, offensive precision attacks against
Chinese military bases, command centres and air bases, as China is capable of doing
against India.
China’s Cruise Missile Capabilities:
Implications for the Indian Army
and Air Force
KARTIK BOMMAKANTI