Pakistan Tests Fatah-4 Cruise Missile

Defence affairs - Def-Geopolitics

The successful test of the locally developed Fatah-4 cruise missile marks a new phase for Pakistan's military, strengthening its long-range precision strike capabilities while countering India's military dominance in South Asia.

Pakistan has entered a new phase in its missile development program with the successful test of the indigenously developed Fatah-4 surface-to-surface cruise missile, an achievement that underscores Islamabad's efforts to bolster its conventional strike capabilities while rebalancing the regional security landscape.

This latest success underscores Islamabad's continued efforts to develop long-range precision strike capabilities at a time when regional tensions in South Asia are rising.

The missile test, conducted under the supervision of the Pakistan Army's Rocket Forces Command, demonstrates the country's emphasis on long-range guided conventional weapons as a credible response option below the nuclear threshold.

Dubbed "Striking from the East" by some in Pakistani military circles, the Fatah-4 is designed to carry out precision strikes at long ranges while avoiding detection and interception by India's layered air defense network.

The system represents not only a technological leap, but also a strategic statement — signaling Pakistan's determination to ensure its deterrent posture remains relevant in the face of India's rapid acquisition of modern weapons, including the S-400 Triumf air defense system and Rafale fighter jets.

The Fatah missile series began with the Fatah-1, a multiple launch rocket system (MLRS) introduced in 2021 with a range of approximately 140 kilometers.

Continuing this development, Pakistan is introducing the Fatah-2 in 2023 with a range of up to 400 kilometers and an advanced guidance system capable of achieving a Circular Error Probable (CEP) of just 10 meters.

The Fatah-3, which was introduced in limited trials, serves as a bridge between long-range rockets and cruise missile technology.

However, the Fatah-4 represents a qualitative leap from short-range rocket artillery to true cruise missile technology.

Unlike its predecessor which was adapted from a Chinese-made MLRS platform, the Fatah-4 is an indigenous Pakistani development described as a canister-launched system with stealth features, designed for survivability and rapid mobility.