Pakistan successfully test-fired its homemade extended version of the ground-based Fatah-4 cruise missile on Tuesday.The cruise missile is capable of engaging long-range targets with high precision, the army said. PTI reported.In a statement, Pakistan Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR) said the “weapon system is capable of engaging targets at extended ranges with high precision and lethality.”According to the Pakistan army, the test validated additional technical parameters of various sub-systems incorporated for improved accuracy and enhanced survivability.Senior Pakistan army officers, together with scientists and engineers, were reportedly present to watch the launch.President Asif Ali Zardari, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, Field Marshal Asim Munir, who serves as Chief of Army Staff and Chief of Defence Forces, and the services chiefs praised the successful test.Pakistan had previously carried out a successful test of the Fatah-IV ground-launched cruise missile in May.The base version of Fatah-4 reportedly has a range of up to 750 kilometres and can reportedly hit targets with a five-metre accuracy.The military confirmed the new variant has an extended range but did not clarify how far.Fatah-4 is a conventional cruise missile of Islamabad’s army rocket force command. It flies at an altitude of about 50 meters to evade air defences and avoid radar detection.
