The Ra'ad-II (Urdu: رعد-۲,"thunder-2") missile is a Pakistani long-range ALCM which is derived from the Ra'ad ALCM.[1][2][3][4] It was first publicly unveiled on the Pakistan Day military parade on 23 March 2017,[5] The missile was tested continuously with improvement in range from initial 300 km to recently tested 600 km, guidance and flight control system were also improved.[6]

Testing and unveiling

On 18 February the missile was test-fired from a PAF Dassault Mirage III Fighter aircraft,[1][2][4] the testing was seen by Strategic Plans Division director general lieutenant general Nadeem Zaki Manj, the chairman of NESCOM Nabeel Hayat Malik as well as senior officers from the Strategic Plans Division, Strategic Forces and Strategic Organizations of Pakistan.[1][7][8] According to the ISPR, it significantly enhanced Pakistan's air delivered strategic standoff capability on land and at sea.[1][2][4]

Characteristics

According to the ISPR, the new missile has a range of 600 km.[1][2][4] The Ra'ad-II missile has a conventional tail fin configuration compared to the twin tail configuration of the previous version.[1][2][4] It has a new "X" type tail as opposed to previous versions large horizontal tails.[4] The missile is also seen to have a length of 4.85 m,[1] further information about the missile has been kept classified.[2]

Similar missiles

• AGM-158 JASSM (USA)
• CJ-10 (China)
• KEPD 350 (Germany/Sweden)
• Kh-65SE (Russia)
• SOM (Turkey)
• Storm Shadow (France/UK)

References