On Tuesday, September 30, 2025, the Pakistan Army took a significant leap in its military capabilities by successfully conducting the training launch of its newly inducted, indigenously developed Fatah-4 Ground Cruise Missile. According to the Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR), as reported by APP, Dawn, and News Arena Network, this missile boasts a range of 750 kilometers and is designed to penetrate enemy air defenses while striking targets with remarkable precision. The launch, which took place in the presence of the Chief of General Staff, senior military officers, scientists, and engineers, marks a pivotal moment in Pakistan’s ongoing efforts to modernize and strengthen its conventional strike arsenal.
The Fatah-4 is not just another addition to Pakistan’s missile inventory. It represents a sophisticated leap forward in both technology and strategic intent. The missile is equipped with advanced avionics and state-of-the-art navigational aids, as highlighted by the Pakistani Army’s official statement. Its terrain-hugging capability allows it to fly at low altitudes along the contours of the terrain, enabling it to evade detection by enemy missile defense systems. This feature, often reserved for the world’s most advanced cruise missiles, means the Fatah-4 can maneuver under radar coverage and approach its targets with minimal warning.
The Fatah-4 is now part of the recently established Army Rocket Force Command, a formation announced in August 2025 to consolidate Pakistan’s conventional missile and rocket capabilities under a single operational structure. As reported by Dawn and Arab News, the new command is tasked with improving operational readiness and coordination in conventional missile warfare. Nuclear-capable systems, meanwhile, remain under the separate Strategic Plans Division. Analysts see this restructuring as a response to rising regional tensions, particularly following the brief but intense conflict with India in May 2025. By consolidating its missile forces, Pakistan aims to strengthen its conventional deterrence and maintain a credible posture in the face of evolving threats.
President Asif Ali Zardari, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, the Chairman Joint Chiefs of Staff Committee, and the Services Chiefs all congratulated the teams involved in the Fatah-4’s development and successful launch. President Zardari, quoted by Dawn, called the test a “milestone in Pakistan’s defence system,” and described the Fatah-4 as proof of the nation’s “scientific self-reliance.” He added with conviction, “Pakistan’s defence is and will remain impregnable.” These remarks underscore the pride and strategic confidence the country’s leadership places in its indigenous defense industry.
From a technical standpoint, the Fatah-4 stands out for several reasons. It can reach speeds of Mach 0.7, or approximately 865 kilometers per hour, as reported by India.com. With a payload capacity of 330 kilograms, a length of 7.5 meters, and a weight of 1,530 kilograms, the missile is designed for long-range precision strikes against strategic targets. Perhaps its most impressive feature is its circular error probability (CEP) of just 4 meters—a level of accuracy that is considered exceptional for cruise missiles in the region. This means the Fatah-4 can reliably hit its intended target with minimal deviation, a capability that significantly enhances its effectiveness against high-value installations.
The missile’s operational range of 750 kilometers allows Pakistan to target military installations and strategic infrastructure deep inside neighboring territories. India.com noted that the Fatah-4 is considered a direct threat to Indian military bases along the Pakistani border, including airbases and other strategically important sites. The ability to deliver conventional payloads with such precision and range gives Pakistan a new layer of deterrence, especially given the ongoing modernization of India’s own missile defense network and long-range strike systems.
The Fatah-4’s development and induction come on the heels of earlier tests within the Fatah missile series. In May 2025, Pakistan tested a shorter-range Fatah missile with a range of 120 kilometers during the “Ex Indus” military exercises, as reported by Dawn. The Fatah-4’s much greater range and enhanced capabilities signal Pakistan’s intent to maintain a balanced mix of short- and long-range systems, ensuring flexibility and depth in its conventional strike options.
Pakistan’s missile arsenal has long included both nuclear-capable and conventional systems. The Shaheen series (I, II, III) and Ghauri (Hatf-V) are medium-range ballistic missiles with ranges between 750 and 2,750 kilometers, while the Ababeel features multiple independently targetable reentry vehicle (MIRV) capability. On the conventional side, the Babur series of land-attack cruise missiles and the Ra’ad air-launched cruise missiles provide additional strike options. The Fatah series, now culminating in the Fatah-4, represents the latest evolution in ground-launched cruise missiles for the Pakistan Army.
The creation of the Army Rocket Force Command and the induction of the Fatah-4 are widely interpreted as part of Islamabad’s broader strategy to narrow the conventional military gap with India. As Arab News and India.com both highlighted, the missile’s deployment enhances the reach, lethality, and survivability of Pakistan’s conventional missile systems. In a region where both Pakistan and India are nuclear-armed and have a history of wars and border skirmishes, the development of advanced conventional systems like the Fatah-4 is seen as a move to strengthen deterrence without escalating to nuclear thresholds.
Military analysts caution that the introduction of such systems adds complexity to South Asia’s already fragile security balance. While Pakistan asserts that its missile developments are aimed at improving defensive and conventional capabilities, the potential for miscalculation or rapid escalation remains a concern. The presence of senior military officers, scientists, and engineers at the Fatah-4’s launch ceremony underscores its significance within Pakistan’s defense establishment and the emphasis on indigenous technological advancement.
In sum, the successful test-firing of the Fatah-4 Ground Cruise Missile marks a notable advance in Pakistan’s military technology and strategic posture. With its blend of precision, range, and survivability, the Fatah-4 not only strengthens Pakistan’s conventional deterrence but also signals the country’s determination to keep pace with regional security developments. As both Pakistan and India continue to modernize their arsenals, the strategic landscape of South Asia is set for further evolution—one where technology, doctrine, and diplomacy will all play crucial roles in shaping the future.