Pakistan has announced the successful test-firing of its new long-range cruise missile, the Fatah-4, marking what officials and military leaders are calling a major leap in the country’s conventional strike capabilities. The public unveiling of this missile comes at a time of persistent tension in South Asia, with both Pakistan and neighboring India—long-time rivals and nuclear powers—frequently demonstrating their military prowess through such tests.
On October 1, 2025, the Pakistani Army revealed it had successfully conducted the test of the Fatah-4, a surface-to-surface missile boasting a range of 750 kilometers (about 470 miles). According to the Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR), the missile is equipped with advanced avionics and modern navigation systems, which, combined with its ability to fly at low altitudes, allow it to evade enemy air defenses and strike with high precision. The Army emphasized that the Fatah-4’s terrain-hugging flight path makes it particularly difficult for adversary radar systems to detect and intercept.
The Fatah-4’s specifications are impressive. The missile can travel at speeds of Mach 0.7 (roughly 865 kilometers per hour), carry a payload of up to 330 kilograms, and measures 7.5 meters in length with a total weight of 1,530 kilograms. But perhaps most notable is its reported accuracy, with a circular error probability—or margin of error—of just four meters. According to Pakistani defense analysts cited by News18, this level of accuracy represents a significant step forward for the country’s missile program and could potentially allow the Fatah-4 to target high-value installations with remarkable precision.
The test is being hailed as a landmark moment not only for Pakistan’s missile technology but also for the newly created Army Rocket Force Command, which is responsible for overseeing the country’s conventional missile arsenal. The ISPR described the Fatah-4 as a system that will “enhance the reach, lethality and survivability of Pakistan Army’s conventional missile systems,” a message echoed in statements from top government officials and military leaders.
President Asif Ali Zardari was quick to congratulate the scientists and engineers behind the project, describing the Fatah-4 test as a “milestone” in Pakistan’s defense program and a testament to the nation’s scientific self-reliance. “Pakistan’s defense was and remains impenetrable,” Zardari declared, according to News18. Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Committee, and the heads of the three armed forces also issued statements commending the achievement and expressing confidence in the country’s growing technological prowess.
The Fatah-4’s unveiling is particularly significant in light of recent military developments in the region. Pakistan’s announcement follows its defeat in Operation Sindoor, a military operation that highlighted the need for enhanced conventional deterrence. The new missile is being compared to India’s BrahMos missile, long regarded as one of the fastest and most advanced cruise missiles in the region. While the BrahMos reportedly has a range of 800 kilometers, Pakistan claims the Fatah-4’s capabilities are comparable, if not superior, in certain respects.
Some Pakistani media outlets have gone further, suggesting that the Fatah-4 could potentially penetrate advanced Indian air defense systems such as the Russian-made S-400. While these claims have yet to be independently verified, the prospect of a missile capable of outmaneuvering cutting-edge defenses is sure to raise eyebrows in New Delhi and beyond.
Neither the Pakistani Army nor ISPR disclosed the exact location of the Fatah-4’s test launch. This secrecy is not unusual for missile tests in the region, where both India and Pakistan routinely conduct such exercises under tight security and with limited public information. The Army did confirm, however, that the missile is now a key asset within the Army Rocket Force Command, the branch tasked with maintaining and deploying Pakistan’s conventional missile systems.
The Fatah-4’s development and test-firing must also be viewed within the broader context of South Asian security dynamics. Since gaining independence from British rule in 1947, India and Pakistan have fought three wars and remain locked in a sometimes tense, sometimes outright hostile relationship. Both nations are nuclear-armed, and their missile programs are often seen as both a deterrent and a signal of military readiness to each other and to the international community. According to Daijiworld Media Network, Pakistan routinely test-fires domestically developed cruise missiles and other weapons, framing such demonstrations as part of its preparedness to counter any threat from India.
For its part, India has not issued an official response to the Fatah-4 test as of this writing. However, New Delhi’s ongoing investments in missile defense and its own development of advanced cruise and ballistic missiles indicate that the regional arms race shows no sign of slowing down. India’s BrahMos missile, developed jointly with Russia, remains a cornerstone of its conventional deterrence, with its reported range and speed giving it a formidable reputation in military circles.
The Fatah-4’s introduction comes at a time when both countries are seeking to modernize their arsenals and project strength in an increasingly uncertain global environment. Advances in missile technology, such as improved accuracy, stealth, and survivability, are viewed as essential for maintaining credible deterrence and ensuring rapid, flexible responses to emerging threats.
Observers note that while the Fatah-4 is being celebrated in Pakistan as a triumph of domestic engineering and scientific innovation, such developments also heighten the risk of miscalculation in a region already fraught with historical grievances and periodic military standoffs. The challenge for both India and Pakistan, say analysts, is to balance the pursuit of military modernization with the need for dialogue and confidence-building measures that reduce the risk of accidental escalation.
As the dust settles from the Fatah-4’s maiden test, questions remain about how this new capability will influence strategic calculations in South Asia. Will it prompt India to accelerate its own missile development programs or invest further in air defense technologies? Could it spur renewed diplomatic efforts to address longstanding disputes, or will it simply add another layer of complexity to an already volatile security environment?
One thing is certain: the successful test of the Fatah-4 has injected a fresh dose of uncertainty—and, for Pakistan, a sense of accomplishment—into the ongoing competition for technological and military superiority on the subcontinent. As both countries continue to push the boundaries of what their missile programs can achieve, the world will be watching closely, hoping that technological progress does not outpace the wisdom needed to keep the peace.
