Pakistan Test-Fires Air-Launched Cruise Missile


TEHRAN (Tasnim) - Pakistan successfully test-fires a locally developed “state-of-the-art” air-launched cruise missile.

“The state of the art Ra'ad ALCM (air-launched cruise missile) is equipped with highly advanced guidance and navigation system that ensures engagement of targets with pinpoint accuracy,” the Pakistani military said in a statement on Tuesday.

The first of such missile was test-fired in August 2007.

The military said the newer version of the Ra'ad missile can reach targets distancing 350 kilometers (218 miles) from it launcher.

The missile is capable of hitting fixed enemy installations, such as radar posts, command nodes and stationary surface-to-air missile launchers, at stand-off range, Press TV reported.

The missile can also be armed with a nuclear warhead.

The recent missile test is the latest in a series of tests conducted by Pakistan and its arch-rival India since both demonstrated their nuclear weapons capability in 1998.

On December 30, 2015, India test-fired its Barak-8 missile system. The long-range surface-to-air missile is reportedly capable of countering air attacks from long distances.

The system includes a radar for detection, tracking and missile guidance and was jointly developed by India and the Israeli regime.