ISLAMABAD: Pakistan’s Army Rocket Force has emerged as a formidable elementin regional deterrence through the rapid development and deployment of theFatah series guided rockets, positioning the country ahead in conventionallong-range precision strikes compared to India. The recent unveiling andsuccessful testing of the Fatah-4 land-attack cruise missile, boasting arange exceeding 750 kilometers, marks a pivotal advancement in Pakistan’sindigenous defense capabilities. This system, equipped with advancedavionics, terrain-hugging flight profiles, and high accuracy within fivemeters circular error probable, enables deep penetration into adversaryterritory while remaining below nuclear thresholds. As anticipation buildsfor the Fatah-5, projected at 1000 kilometers range and slated for testingin 2026, experts highlight how these developments create strategic depthand operational flexibility unmatched in immediate comparisons.
The evolution of the Fatah family began with the Fatah-I in 2021,introducing Pakistan’s first indigenous guided multiple-launch rocketsystem with a 140-kilometer range and inertial-GPS guidance for precisiontargeting of logistics and command nodes. This foundation allowed thePakistan Army to shift from unguided artillery to stand-off capabilities,enhancing mobility through truck-mounted launchers and reducingvulnerability to counter-battery fire. Subsequent iterations acceleratedprogress, with the Fatah-II achieving a 400-kilometer reach by late 2023,incorporating satellite navigation and supersonic glide phases for superiorpenetration against defended targets. These systems, developed by GlobalIndustrial and Defence Solutions in collaboration with the NationalEngineering and Scientific Commission, underscore Pakistan’s commitment toself-reliance in precision munitions.
In contrast, India’s guided rocket programs, such as extended-range Pinakavariants, currently lag in achieving comparable standoff distances formassed conventional fires, with most operational systems limited to shorterranges like 200-500 kilometers in developmental phases. While Indiapossesses the Agni series ballistic missiles for longer strategic reachesstarting from 700 kilometers upward to over 5000 kilometers in Agni-Vconfigurations, these platforms are primarily nuclear-capable and fallunder stricter command structures, limiting their utility in sub-thresholdconventional scenarios. Pakistan’s Fatah series, dedicated to conventionalroles under the Army Rocket Force Command established in 2025, offersgraduated response options that avoid escalation risks associated withballistic systems.
The Fatah-4 represents a qualitative leap, transitioning from rocket-baseddesigns to a ground-launched cruise missile configuration with a330-kilogram warhead, subsonic cruise at Mach 0.7, and low-altitude flightto evade radar detection. Tested successfully in September 2025, thissystem integrates AI-enhanced guidance for operations in contestedelectromagnetic environments, providing resilience against jamming andelectronic warfare. Such features enable precise strikes on high-valueassets like airbases, supply depots, and infrastructure far beyondfrontline zones, compelling adversaries to disperse forces and investheavily in defenses. This capability aligns with lessons from recentregional conflicts emphasizing affordable, mobile precision fires oversheer volume.
Looking ahead, the forthcoming Fatah-5, anticipated for a 2026 test launch,promises to extend this advantage dramatically with a projected1000-kilometer range, transforming rocket artillery into a strategic-depthinstrument. This development would allow Pakistan to target operationalrear areas across vast theaters, maintaining conventional superiority insaturation and precision without relying on nuclear delivery vehicles likethe Shaheen or Ghauri series. Analysts note that the incrementalprogression—from Fatah-I at 140 kilometers to Fatah-II at 400 kilometers,Fatah-4 at over 750 kilometers, and now toward Fatah-5—reflects deliberatedoctrinal adaptation to counter potential rapid offensives while preservingescalation control.
Pakistan’s focus on indigenous production has yielded cost-effectivesystems that outperform equivalents in mobility, salvo potential, andintegration within artillery divisions. The establishment of the ArmyRocket Force Command centralizes these assets, ensuring rapid deploymentand survivability through shoot-and-scoot tactics. In regional dynamics,this positions Pakistan’s conventional forces with enhanced deterrence, aslonger-range guided systems complicate adversary planning and forceresource allocation toward countermeasures. The trajectory suggestssustained momentum in guided munitions, reinforcing full-spectrum defenseposture.
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These advancements highlight Pakistan’s strategic foresight in bridgingtactical and operational fires, creating layered capabilities that enhancenational security without provoking higher thresholds. As the Fatah-5 nearsrealization, it underscores a clear lead in accessible, precise long-rangeconventional strike options compared to India’s ongoing efforts in similardomains.
Source:https://quwa.org/pakistan-defence-industry/gids/fatah-guided-surface-to-surface-missiles
Tags: Pakistan, Fatah-5, Army Rocket Force, India, Agni series
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