ISLAMABAD: Pakistan on Monday conducted a successful training launch of a Fatah series surface-to-surface missile, marking the second missile test in three days amid escalating tensions with India following the Pahalgam attack.
“Pakistan today conducted a successful training launch of a FATAH Series surface-to-surface missile,” the Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR) said in a statement.
While the statement did not specify the exact variant, the missile’s range — mentioned as 120 kilometres — indicates it was likely the Fatah-I, a guided multiple launch rocket system (GMLRS) developed indigenously by Pakistan, which carries a conventional warhead.
The launch was part of Exercise Indus, a military drill aimed at validating combat readiness. On Saturday, Pakistan tested an enhanced version of its nuclear-capable Abadali missile.
“The launch was aimed at ensuring the operational readiness of troops and validating key technical parameters, including the missile’s advanced navigation system and enhanced accuracy,” ISPR said.
Military leadership expressed “complete confidence in the operational preparedness and technical proficiency of Pakistan Army to thwart any aggression against the territorial integrity of Pakistan,” the statement added.
The Fatah missile series represents a significant leap in Pakistan’s defence capabilities, reflecting a strategic shift toward indigenous development and precision-guided weaponry. The Fatah-I, introduced on Jan 7, 2021, is Pakistan’s first homegrown Guided Multiple Launch Rocket System (GMLRS). It was developed by the state-owned Global Industrial & Defence Solutions (GIDS) as part of a modernisation program aimed at replacing older unguided systems such as the Yarmouk series.
With a range of 140 kilometres, the Fatah-I surpass legacy systems like the A-100 MLRS and is designed to engage high-value targets inside enemy territory. Its development was launched in 2015-16 as part of efforts to enhance long-range rocket artillery capabilities.
The Fatah-I and its advanced variant Fatah-II underscore Pakistan’s growing emphasis on stand-off capabilities.
Published in Dawn, May 6th, 2025
