ISLAMABAD: Pakistan’s latest indigenous defence achievement, the Fatah-4ground-launched cruise missile, has emerged as a game-changer inconventional warfare, drawing keen interest from several countries seekingadvanced precision strike capabilities at competitive costs. Successfullytested in late 2025 with a demonstrated range of 750 kilometres, thissystem promises high accuracy and enhanced survivability, positioningPakistan as an emerging exporter in the global arms market amid risingdemand for affordable yet sophisticated weaponry.
The Fatah-4, developed under strict indigenous efforts by Pakistaniengineers, features state-of-the-art avionics and a sophisticated guidancesystem that ensures a circular error probable of within five metres, makingit one of the most precise weapons in its class. Its ability to deliver a330-kilogram warhead over vast distances while maintaining pinpointaccuracy allows for effective neutralisation of high-value targets,reducing collateral damage and operational risks significantly compared toolder unguided systems.
One of the standout qualities of the Fatah-4 is its terrain-hugging flightprofile, flying as low as 50 metres above ground at a subsonic speed ofMach 0.7. This low-altitude trajectory, combined with advanced electroniccountermeasures, enables the missile to evade enemy radar and air defencenetworks effectively, enhancing its penetration capabilities against modernintegrated defence systems that many regional powers deploy.
The missile’s total mass of around 1,530 kilograms and mobiletransporter-erector-launcher configuration provide rapid deployment andrelocation advantages, crucial for survivability in contested environments.Pakistan Army officials have highlighted how the Fatah-4 integratesartificial intelligence modules for real-time target identification,ensuring reliability even in electronically jammed or degraded scenarios, afeature that sets it apart from many contemporary cruise missiles.
In terms of power and destructive potential, the Fatah-4’sblast-fragmentation warhead offers substantial lethality against fortifiedpositions, command centres, and infrastructure. Its extended range of over750 kilometres allows strategic depth strikes without risking mannedassets, providing commanders with flexible response options below thenuclear threshold and strengthening Pakistan’s conventional deterrenceposture in a volatile regional security landscape.
The timeline for the Fatah-4’s development reflects Pakistan’s acceleratedpush towards self-reliance in defence technology. Revealed in mid-2025 andinducted shortly after a successful training launch in September, thesystem builds on the Fatah series progression, from the 140-kilometreFatah-I to the 400-kilometre Fatah-II, demonstrating rapid advancements inguidance and propulsion technologies within a few years.
What makes the Fatah-4 particularly attractive for exports is itscost-effectiveness. While exact pricing remains classified, defenceanalysts estimate that indigenous systems like this offer significantsavings compared to Western equivalents, which often exceed hundreds ofmillions per unit due to advanced components and licensing fees. Thisaffordability, paired with proven performance, has sparked interest fromfriendly nations seeking to modernise their arsenals without strainingbudgets.
Several countries in the Middle East, Africa, and Asia have reportedlyexpressed interest in the broader Fatah family, with similar enthusiasmlikely extending to the Fatah-4 given its superior range and precision.Exhibitions and bilateral defence talks have showcased Pakistan’s growingexport portfolio, where systems balancing high technology with reasonablepricing are increasingly sought amid global supply chain disruptions andgeopolitical shifts.
Read Top Stories
Pakistan’s defence industry, through entities like Global Industrial andDefence Solutions, is poised to capitalise on this demand, potentiallygenerating substantial revenue while fostering strategic partnerships. TheFatah-4 not only bolsters national security but also signals Pakistan’sarrival as a credible player in the international arms trade, wherereliability and value drive procurement decisions.
As geopolitical tensions persist, the Fatah-4’s blend of accuracy, power,and evasion capabilities positions it as a sought-after asset, promising toreshape alliances and deterrence equations in multiple regions.
Source: https://www.dawn.com/news/1945656
Tags: Pakistan, Fatah-4, Cruise Missile, Defence Exports
ogimageimage-name
