IRIA News

Pakistan successfully conducted a test launch for Fatah-2, its indigenously developed long-range precision strike missile, on December 28, 2023. The missile has an approximate range of 400 kilometers, as reported by the Pakistan military’s media division.

According to the Pakistan military’s media wing, the Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR), Fatah-2 is “equipped with state-of-the-art avionics, sophisticated navigation system, and unique flight trajectory.”

Based on footage of the test released by ISPR, the Fatah 2 appears to be a two-round guided multiple-launch rocket system based on the Chinese Taian TAS5450 eight-wheel drive chassis. Fatah-2 is an advanced version of its predecessor, Fatah-1, with considerable improvement in strike range. Fatah-1 has a range of approximately 140 kilometers.

The flight test was witnessed by senior officers from Pakistan military services and dedicated scientists and engineers. After the successful launch on December 28, Pakistan’s President, Prime Minister, Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Committee, and Chief of Army Staff released separate statements congratulating the participating troops.

The earlier version, Fatah-1, is produced by Global Industrial Defense Solutions (GIDS), a Pakistani state-owned defense conglomerate. GIDS would also produce the Fatah-2 system. The company has not released specific details about the Fatah-2 missile, however, it specifies that Fatah-1 is designed “to accurately target and eliminate enemy group and area objectives, including military bases, substantial armored units, missile launch sites, major airports, harbors, and other vital facilities.”

Analysts believe that the improved range of Fatah-2 indicates that the most notable target for Pakistan’s long-range precision strike missiles is India’s S-400 air defense system. Pakistan could also fire the weapon as a decoy to create greater room for a combat drone to strike the S-400 itself amid the bombardment.

Fatah GMLRS

In August 2021, Pakistan conducted initial tests for its domestically developed Guided Multiple Launch Rocket System GMLRS system Fatah-1, a surface-to-surface weapon system that delivers precision strikes beyond the reach of most conventional weapons

Fatah-1 is an eight-round guided multiple rocket launch system that utilizes a Chinese-made Taian chassis and deploys a 10-round A-100 multiple-launch rocket. The system is currently operational with the Pakistan military.

Pakistan has recently ramped up its missile production and testing capabilities. Earlier in October this year, the Pakistan military conducted a test-fire launch for its newly developed Ababeel missile, which can carry multiple warheads. Ababeel is a surface-to-surface medium-range missile with a range of 2,200 kilometers.

In the same month, Pakistan also conducted a successful test launch of its medium-range Ghauri ballistic missile which can carry both nuclear and conventional warheads.

Most of Pakistan’s missile technology is indigenously produced, with China providing the crucial parts needed to manufacture the missiles. Earlier this year, the United States imposed sanctions on three Chinese companies that had been providing missile parts to Pakistan.

A U.S. State Department statement identified three firms General Technology Limited, Beijing Luo Luo Technology Development, and Changzhou Utek Composite Company Limited. The statement said that General Technology had worked to supply brazing materials used to join components in ballistic missile rocket engines and in the production of combustion chambers.

Beijing’s Luo Luo Technology supplied mandrels and other machinery to Pakistan, which can be used in the production of solid-propellant rocket motors. The third firm, Changzhou Utek Composite, had worked since 2019 to supply D-glass fiber, quartz fabric, and high silica cloth, all of which have applications in missile systems, the State Department said in a statement.