ISLAMABAD – Pakistan test-launched a new variant of its Ra’ad IInuclear-capable air-launched cruise missile (ALCM) on February 16,according to the Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR), the media wing ofthe Pakistani military.
The new longer-range Ra’ad II “significantly enhances air deliveredstrategic standoff capability on land and at sea,” ISPR saidlink in a February 18statement. “The weapon system is equipped with state of the art guidanceand navigation systems ensuring engagement of targets with high precision.”
A video link ofthe launch released by ISPR shows the Ra’ad II being launched from aPakistan Air Force (PAF) Mirage III fighter aircraft. ISPR referred to thenew weapon system as “a major step towards complementing Pakistan’sdeterrence capability.”
The Ra’ad II was first publicly revealed as a mock-up in 2017during Pakistan’s annual military parade in Islamabad.
The 4.85 meter-long Ra’ad-II had a stated range of 550-600 kilometers. Itis capable of carrying both conventional and nuclear payloads.
Pakistan’s Ra’ad (also known as the Hatf VIII) series bears a resemblanceto several South African stand-off missile projects, including the MUPSOWcruise missilelinkandTorgos long-range guided weapon. Pakistan and South Africa have workedtogether on advanced weapons development in the past.
The 350-kilometer variant of the Ra’ad cruise missile was firsttest-launched by the Pakistan Air Force in 2007. The development of thelatest Ra’ad II variant may in part be influenced by India’s air defensemodernization efforts.
Read Top Stories
Pakistan’s February 16 test launch comes after the U.S. Defense SecurityCooperation Agency (DSCA) announcedlinkon10 February that the U.S. Department of State had approved a potential $1.86billion Foreign Military Sale (FMS) to India of an “Integrated Air DefenseWeapon System (IADWS).
The IADWS sales package includes a range of sensors, weapons systems, andsupport equipment. The potential sale also includes AN/MPQ-64Fl Sentinelradar systems, AMRAAM AIM-120C-7/C-8 missiles and associated guidance andcontrol equipment, and Stinger FIM-92L missiles.
India is also in the process of procuringlinkRussian-madeAlmaz-Antei S-400 *Triumf* air defense systems (NATO reporting name: SA-21Growler). India placed a $5.5 billion order for five S-400 air defensesquadrons (regiments) for service in the Indian Air Force.
Given compatibility and interoperability issues, India would have tooperate the two systems in isolation.
The acquisition of the Russian long-range air defense systems has causedstrong opposition from the United States, which has threatened economicsanctions on India under U.S. legislation known as the Countering America’sAdversaries Through Sanctions Act (CAATSA). The Diplomat
