Pakistan’s recently tested Fatah-II missile system has threatened the effectiveness of India’s expensive S-400 missile defense systems, The EurAsian Times reported.
The country tested the indigenous long-range precision strike weapon in December last year with a range of around 249 miles (400km), it added.
According to the Inter-Services Public Relations, Fatah-II is equipped with advanced features including state-of-the-art avionics, a sophisticated navigation system, and a distinctive flight trajectory.
The Fatah-II deploys cutting-edge flight control technology and a refined pathfinding mechanism, integration of satellite and inertial navigation systems ensuring a circular probable error (CEP) of less than 10 metres.
Umair Aslam, CEO of Global Defense Insight told EurAsian Times that the Pakistani military improved its capability to engage strategic targets, such as bridges and air defense units, located within a range of 400 kilometres.
Read: Pakistan conducts successful test of ‘Babur Cruise Missile 1B’
International defence analysts have termed the Fatah-II a “flat trajectory missile,” a design that makes it challenging for radar to detect it.
Meanwhile, military experts said that the missile system was a viable solution against India’s S-400 missile system.
“The Fatah-II demonstrates its potential to counter advanced air defense systems, exemplified by its ability to effectively engage the S-400 through saturation attacks, employing a combination of Fatah-II projectiles, cruise missiles, loitering munitions, and Fatah-I Guided Multiple Launch Rocket System (GMLRS),” Aslam said.
Frank O’Donnell at Stimson Centre think tank said that Fatah-II’s incorporation shows that Pakistan is observing recent conflicts such as the Azerbaijan-Armenia and Russia-Ukraine wars.
According to him, the country is working to assign precision ground bombardment tasks to artillery and drone systems and deploying manned fighter aircraft for more advanced strike missions.
Defence analyst Patricia Marins, while highlighting the S-400 system’s performance in Ukraine, suggested the possibility of further upgrades in the system. However, she questioned whether these upgrades would be provided to India for its system.
She also raised concerns about India’s air defense systems like SAMAR and suggested potential adjustments might be necessary to intercept missiles such as the Fatah-II.
