Ra'ad Cruise Missile at IDEAS 2008 Pakistan

Ra'ad (Urdu: رعد) (Ra'ad means Thunder in Arabic) is a Pakistani Air Launched Cruise Missile (ALCM). Presently in its testing stages, the missile is slated to enter service with the Pakistan Air Force (PAF). Though initially launched from a Mirage III ROSE-I fighter, other PAF combat platforms - such as the JF-17 and FC-20 - will likely be equipped with the missile when it enters service. The Ra'ad presently has a range of 350 km.

Ra'ad gives Pakistan the capability to successfully attack fixed enemy installations (radar posts, command nodes and stationary surface to air missiles) beyond visual range. The accuracy of the missile is reported to be comparable to Pakistan's Babur cruise missile, which is labeled as having "pinpoint accuracy" by official Pakistani sources.

Ra'ad is designed with stealth features. The missile has a very low detection probability due to its stealthy design and materials used in its construction. Ra'ad can carry all type of warheads, including nuclear, but it is unlikely to be used for nuclear delivery as Pakistan already has the longer range Babur cruise as well as various ballistic missiles for that role. Ra'ad will most likely be used for precision air strikes on enemy command centers, radars, surface to air missiles, ballistic missile launchers, stationary warships etc.

Category:

Science & Technology

Tags:

• Ra'ad
• PAF
• Mirage
• Pakistan
• Cruse
• Missile
• Raad
• IDEAS
• 2008
• Air
• Force
• Expo
• Centre