Pakistan announced on 18 February that it has test-launched a new variant of its Ra’ad II nuclear-capable, air-launched cruise missile (ALCM) with a range of 600 km.
A still from a low-resolution video provided by Pakistan’s ISPR showing a PAF Mirage III fighter launching the latest variant of the Ra’ad II ALCM with a range of 600 km. (ISPR)
In a statement, Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR), the media wing of the Pakistani military, said that the 600 km range of the new missile “significantly enhances” the PAF’s “air-delivered strategic stand-off capability on land and at sea”.
The new missile variant, which was shown in a low-resolution video being launched from a Pakistan Air Force (PAF) Mirage III fighter aircraft, “is equipped with state-of-the-art guidance and navigation systems ensuring engagement of targets with high precision”, said the ISPR, referring to the weapon system as “a major step towards complementing Pakistan’s deterrence capability”.
No further details were provided about the latest Ra’ad II variant, which has been fitted with what appears to be a more conventional tail fin configuration compared to the ‘twin tail’ configuration seen in previous variants.
The 4.85 m-long Ra’ad II had previously been stated to have a maximum range of 550 km, while the Ra’ad variant, which has the same dimensions, has a stated range of 350 km. Both variants can be fitted with different types of warheads.
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