Pakistan’s Fatah-4 Cruise Missile Extends Conventional Strike Reach Beyond 750 km.

On August 12, 2025, ahead of the national day commemorating the country’s creation, and according to information published by Defense Times on X, the Pakistan Army officially unveiled the Fatah-4, a new-generation, long-range, ground-launched cruise missile. Designed for conventional precision strikes, this system marks a departure from the evolution of the Fatah family, which until now had been dominated by ballistic missiles and guided rockets. Its induction reflects Islamabad’s intent to strengthen independent strike capabilities while preserving nuclear delivery systems for strategic deterrence.
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The Fatah-4, classified as a ground-launched cruise missile, has a reported range of more than 750 kilometers, a total mass of 1,530 kg, a length of 7.5 meters, and a subsonic speed of approximately Mach 0.7 (Picture source: X Channel Defense Times)

The Fatah-4, classified as a ground-launched cruise missile, has a reported range of more than 750 kilometers, a total mass of 1,530 kg, a length of 7.5 meters, and a subsonic speed of approximately Mach 0.7. It carries a 330 kg blast-fragmentation warhead and is reported to have an accuracy of about five meters CEP. Its low-altitude flight profile, around 50 meters above ground level, uses terrain-following technology to reduce the probability of radar detection and increase its chances of penetrating dense defensive environments.

Technically, the missile combines a GPS/INS navigation system with an advanced guidance package featuring a dual-mode seeker that integrates electro-optical/infrared (EO/IR) and radar sensors. Adapted from the Harbah anti-ship missile program, this configuration incorporates artificial intelligence modules for precise target identification, including in contested or GPS-denied areas. It also includes image-scene matching for improved terminal accuracy. The system is designed to withstand jamming and deception attempts through built-in electronic counter-countermeasures.

Operational mobility is provided by deployment on mobile transporter-erector-launchers (TELs), enabling shoot-and-scoot tactics and reducing exposure time to enemy strikes. The use of solid-fuel propulsion supports rapid launch readiness and simplifies logistics. This mobility enhances system survivability and responsiveness in the field.

The introduction of the Fatah-4 significantly expands Pakistan’s conventional strike structure. Since 2021, the Fatah series has developed in stages: Fatah-I, a guided rocket with a range of 140 km; Fatah-II, in both an extended-range guided rocket version with a range of 250 km and a surface-to-surface missile version with a range of 400 km; Fatah-III, renamed “Abdali,” a ballistic missile with a range of 450 km; and now the Fatah-4, able to reach targets far beyond the frontline. This progression reflects a gradual increase in performance and tactical roles.

Compared with other regional cruise missile systems, the Fatah-4 occupies a position between purely tactical vectors and strategic systems. Domestically, it complements the Babur line, originally developed for nuclear or dual-capable roles, and sharing certain low-altitude flight characteristics with the Fatah-4. In comparison to India’s Nirbhay, which has an announced range of around 1,000 km but has experienced development delays, the Fatah-4 stands out for having entered service quickly and already being integrated into army units.

The missile’s deployment serves several strategic objectives. It enhances conventional deterrence by giving the army the means to strike critical infrastructure, command centers, and logistics nodes deep inside enemy territory without crossing the nuclear threshold. It also provides independent strike capabilities separate from strategic forces and enables the execution of multi-axis operations in a conflict scenario. The diversification of delivery systems — combining guided rockets, ballistic missiles, and cruise missiles — complicates adversary defense planning and increases operational flexibility.

The Fatah-4’s development takes place within a broader program of rapid modernization of Pakistan’s armed forces, influenced by lessons from recent conflicts and the need to counter regional offensive doctrines such as India’s “Cold Start.” By focusing on a long-range conventional missile, Islamabad maintains its nuclear assets for strategic deterrence while adding a capability tailored for precision strikes in contested environments.