Pakistan test-fires new cruise missile

ISPR says Ra’ad missile will enable Pakistan to achieve ‘strategic standoff capability’ on land and at sea

ISLAMABAD: Pakistan conducted a successful flight test of the indigenously developed Air Launched Cruise Missile (ALCM) ‘Ra’ad’ at an undisclosed location on Monday.

Ra’ad missile, with a range of 350 kilometres, will enable Pakistan to achieve ‘strategic standoff capability’ on land and at sea, according to a statement issued by the Inter-services Public Relations (ISPR). “Cruise technology is extremely complex and has been developed by only a few countries in the world,” the ISPR added.

The state-of-the-art Ra’ad cruise missile with stealth capabilities is a low altitude, terrain hugging missile with high maneuverability. It can deliver nuclear and conventional warheads with a pinpoint accuracy.

“Pakistan’s strategic pursuits are aimed at achieving strategic stability in the region,” Director General Strategic Plans Division, Lt Gen Zubair Mahmood Hayat said while congratulating the team of scientists and engineers who worked on the missile.

He appreciated the technical prowess, dedication and commitment of scientists who contributed whole heartedly to make this launch a success. He expressed his full confidence in the operational preparedness of the strategic forces, including employment and deployment concepts, refinement and training of all ranks in operational and technical domains.

The successful launch has been commended by the president and the prime minister of Pakistan, who have congratulated the scientists and engineers on their outstanding achievement. The test came two days after India succeeded for the first time in using a mobile launcher to test-fire a long-range missile capable of delivering a nuclear warhead deep inside rival China.

Although Saturday’s launch was the third test of the Agni-V missile, it was the first time the weapon had been fired from a so-called canister mounted on a truck rather than from a concrete launch-pad used in previous trials. The new delivery mechanism gives the armed forces increased operational flexibility. Pakistan and India have conducted a series of missile tests over the past few years.

Islamabad has warned that recent defence pact between Washington and New Delhi would lead to arms race in the South Asian region.


Published in The Express Tribune, February 3^rd, 2015.