FROM the beginning, Pakistan had been threatened by its eternal enemy India and after it became a nuclear power, it became inevitable for Pakistan to acquire nuclear capability also. After becoming the first nuclear power in the Islamic world in 1998, Pakistan paid special attention to the progress and development in missile technology and Alhamdulillah today Pakistan’s missile program is among the best programs in the world. After achieving major goals in nuclear missile technology, Pakistan has pursued a policy of minimum defence capability and the successful test of the Fatah-II Guided Rocket System is a testament to this. Taking another step towards impenetrable defence, Pakistan has successfully test-fired the Fatah-II guided rocket system, which has a range of 400 km and is capable of hitting targets with high precision defeating any missile defence system. Fatah-II is equipped with advanced navigation system, unique speed and manoeuvrability features. The purpose of the Fatah-II rocket test was to complete launch exercises and procedures. The Fatah-II guided rocket system is being inducted into Pakistan’s artillery divisions which will significantly upgrade the penetration and lethality of Pakistan Army’s conventional weapons.
The Army Chief, Chairman Joint Chiefs of Staff Committee, all Services Chiefs, the soldiers, scientists and the entire nation who participated in this wonderful achievement offer our heartfelt congratulations. The nation is proud of its engineers, scientists and Armed Forces. This successful test of Fatah-II Guided Rocket System will prove to be very important for the peace keeping and balance of power in the region and will contribute to the defence capability. The Chief of General Staff, senior officers of the three Services and engineers observed the flight test of the missile and inspected the technical matters. Pakistan successfully test-fired the indigenously developed guided rocket system Fatah-1 in 2021. With varying ranges Pakistan has developed it’s missile systems over the years, with the aim of bolstering defence capabilities. Pakistan’s longest-range missile is the Shaheen-III, which has a range of 2,750 km. India’s longest-range missile is the Agni-V, which has a range of 5,000 km. Both Pakistan and India have developed missiles of different types, including ballistic missiles, cruise missiles and anti-tank missiles. India has also developed Brahmos, a supersonic cruise missile jointly with Russia, while Pakistan has developed the Ra’ad air-launched cruise missile. Both countries have developed missiles with different payloads. Pakistan’s Nasr missile has a low-yield nuclear warhead, while India’s Agni series of missiles can carry both nuclear and conventional warheads.
Pakistan and India have developed missiles with different guidance systems. India’s Agni series of missiles use an inertial guidance system, while Pakistan’s Shaheen-II missile uses a terminal guidance system. Both countries have also developed missile defence systems. India has developed the Ballistic Missile Defence (BMD) system, while Pakistan has developed the Hatf-IX an anti-ballistic missile. Pakistan and India have developed a variety of missile systems with varying ranges, types, payloads, guidance systems and defence capabilities. The development of missile systems of Pakistan are aimed at enhancing it’s national security and defence capabilities. The Fatah-II is equipped with state of the art avionics, sophisticated navigation system and unique flight trajectory. Fatah-II appears to be a two-round guided multiple launch rocket system based on the Chinese Taian TAS5450 eight-wheel drive chassis. Its predecessor, the Fatah-1, is manufactured by Global Industrial Defence Solutions. Fatah-1 is intended to precisely attack and destroy enemy’s group and area targets, such as military bases, massive armoured troops, missile launching sites, large airports, harbours and other important facilities. The Fatah-1 is an eight-round guided multiple rocket launch system based on the same Taian chassis as the 10-round A-100 multiple launch rocket system in service with Pakistan. The Fatah-II test marks another step in Pakistan’s efforts to field multiple precision strike artillery systems with variable ranges to hold adversary targets at risk.
Equipped with state-of-the-art navigation system, unique trajectory and manoeuvrable features, Fatah-II is capable of engaging targets with high precision and defeating any missile defence system. The test of the ballistic missile system was aimed at re-validating various designs, technical parameters, and performance evaluations of different sub-systems. Pakistan sees its missile development as a deterrent against nuclear-armed neighbour India, with which it has fought three wars since independence. Both nations have been developing missiles of varying ranges since they conducted nuclear tests in May 1998. In December 2023, Pakistan Army successfully conducted the flight test of the Fatah-II missile, which has a range of 400 kilometres. Pakistan is a peaceful nuclear country and wants to have harmonious relations with its neighbouring countries on the basis of balance and equality. Pakistan does not have aggressive ambitions against its neighbouring countries, but if limits of our geographical boundaries are violated from any side, the armed forces of the country will be ready to twist the enemy. Borders of our country are secure. Now the ambitious enemy cannot maliciously look at Pakistan. In case of any emergency, Pakistan has right to defend itself. Fatah-II Guided Program will play its effective role to deal with any such possible emergency situation.
—The writer is political analyst and author of several books, based in Islamabad.
Email: naveedamankhan@hotmail.com
