ISLAMABAD: Pakis­tan on Wednesday conducted a flight test of guided multiple-launch rocket system, Fatah-II, which is being developed as a potential challenger to the missile defence systems in the neighbourhood.

While announcing the test, the Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR) noted that the new rocket system was “equipped with state of the art avionics, sophisticated navigation system and unique flight trajectory”.

Featuring cutting-edge flight control technology and an advanced pathfinding mechanism, Fatah-II, the enhanced version in the series of Fatah rockets, stands out in its category.

The Fatah-II is distinguished by its advanced precision-targeting technology, utilising a blend of satellite and inertial navigation systems. This integration ensures remarkable accuracy with an exceptionally low margin of error. Its sophisticated navigation system enables precision-guided strikes with a circular probable error (CEP) of less than 10 metres, exemplifying its high level of targeting precision.

This enhancement firm­­ly positions the Fatah-II within the upper echelons of Pakistan’s rocket artillery division, complementing the existing lineup of the Fatah-I, the Chinese A-100, the Yarmouk-series, and the Nasr tactical ballistic missiles.

Its capability to accurately target locations over a distance of 400 kilometers marks a significant advancement in the field of long-range artillery. The range is significantly more than its predecessor, Fatah-I, which has a range of 140 kilometers.

Experts place a special emphasis on the “unique flight trajectory” of the rocket. The Fatah-II’s design provides for this feature, giving it an edge in evading counter measures and hitting targets accurately.

India, it may be recalled, is significantly upgrading its missile defense system, incorporating the advanced S-400 Triumf for long-range threats, the indigenous SAMAR for short-range defence, and the DRDO-developed VSHORADS for very short-range targets in addition to its emerging sea-based ballistic missile defence capabilities.

Though this was the first publicly disclosed flight test of the rocket, it was first unveiled by Global Industrial and Defence Solutions (GIDS), the face of Pakistan’s governmental defence manufacturing, at the IDEF-2023 exhibition in Turkey. Pakistan had been working on two home-grown rocket artillery projects, a base model and an extended-range version for years. Fatah-1 was flight tested in Aug 2021.

This advancement will contribute to Pakistan’s strategic endeavor to build a robust and versatile military capability for conducting highly accurate strikes over a wide array of distances and with diverse munitions. The integration of the Fatah-II into its arsenal at a subsequent stage would, therefore, mark a major leap in enhancing the country’s terrestrial strike competencies.

Published in Dawn, December 28th, 2023