Pakistan Nuclear & Missile Development and News

[kashifshahzad]

US approves Sidewinder and Harpoon missile sales to Pak

AP
Mon, 9 May 2005, 19:45
WASHINGTON: The Bush administration has authorised the sale of Harpoon anti-ship missiles and Sidewinder air-to-air missiles to Pakistan.

The missiles will upgrade stockpiles of older versions of each missile, the US Defence Security Cooperation Agency said in a statement issued today.

Pakistan is seeking 40 AGM-84L air-launched Harpoons and 20 RGM-84L surface-launched versions of the missile in a deal worth up to $180 million, the military said.

The Pakistani Navy uses an older version of the missile and the US statement said the newer missiles are less likely to hit noncombatant targets in a naval engagement. The prime contractors on the deal are the Boeing Company’s St. Louis, Missouri operation and Delex Systems of Vienna, Virginia.

In addition, Pakistan wants to buy up to 300 AIM-9M Sidewinder missiles, which fighter aircraft use against other planes.

The deal is worth up to $46 million and the prime contractor is Raytheon Systems in Tucson, Arizona. The deal will allow Pakistan to fly armed surveillance aircraft along its western border, the military said. Afghanistan and Iran are west of Pakistan.

‘‘The Pakistani Air Force currently lacks this self-defence capability. These missiles are needed to allow Pakistan to defend its borders, participate in coalition operations and exercises and operate a modern Air Force,’’ the military statement said. —PTI

JF-17s from China

ISLAMABAD: Pakistan said on Monday that it would produce four planes of the JF-17 fighter aircraft, capable of carrying short range missiles, being manufactured in collaboration with China. The process will begin next year and the serial production will start from 2007, chairman of Pakistan Aeronautical Complex, Air Marshal Aurangzeb and chief project director of JF-17 Air Vice Marshal Shahid Latif announced. —PTI
URL of this article:
http://www.defencetalk.com/news/publish/article_002377.php

At this stage PAF lacks both short range and BVR missiles.PAF do have capibility of WVR combat but PAF lacks BVR missile targetting capibility,after this PAF must concentrate on the BVR missiles which is need of the hour.

[WebMaster]

Search, this has been posted before and this is from MAY.

[Elite-Pilot]

France to extend help to Pakistan in N-tech

Envoy says two countries discussing sale of Mirage-2000

By Muhammad Saleh Zaafir

ISLAMABAD: France is engaged in discussions with Pakistan about cooperation in nuclear technology after a lapse of about 30 years. As the confidence increases, Paris will be prepared to provide assistance to Islamabad to meet its power needs.

The two countries re-established contacts in a multilateral interaction held in Paris recently where representatives of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) were also present. French Ambassador to Pakistan Pierre Charasse disclosed this to The News in an exclusive interview covering wide range of issues here.

He said France is prepared to help Pakistan in developing non-conventional means of production of power including its generation through nuclear and hydel sources. Without going into details of the deal that was called off between Pakistan and France under US pressure in the past, the French ambassador said Pakistan’s name must be cleared first with reference to nuclear proliferation and as the country’s image improves private sector in France will be prepared to cooperate with Pakistan to fulfil its increasing needs of power generation. France appreciates Pakistan’s genuine needs of having more and more power in wake of boosting economic activities. France has already helped Pakistan in developing a hydel power generation unit in Kashmir with active assistance of another country, the ambassador said.

Replying to another question, he said France is cooperating with Pakistan in space technology besides a number of other fields by providing it with advanced technology. A group of 25 French companies on a visit to Pakistan recently returned with a positive impression. A big unit of car manufacturing is being built in Pakistan where the famous Renault car will be manufactured by availing Nissan company’s base. Renault has already purchased Nissan.

Renault will be manufacturing fuel-efficient and useful cars for Pakistani market that would be comparatively cheaper, he said. Pierre Charasse said Franch-Pakistan cooperation in the field of defence is progressing satisfactorily. France is engaged in discussions with Pakistan on sale of its state-of-the-art fighter multi-role high-tech aircraft Mirage-2000.

The ambassador said French ultra-modern aircraft, Rafale, is not being discussed for sale to Pakistan although this plane has already been sold to some of the Middle Eastern countries. Responding another question, the envoy said a third submarine for Pakistan Navy would be completed under transfer of technology agreement by the end of next year. The submarine has been fully built in Pakistan by local engineers under the supervision of French experts.

Pierre Charasse was satisfied with the exiting ties between the two countries in various fields and termed them stable. He said the attack on French technicians in 2002 caused a deep dive in relations but since last year these have not only normalised but also improved a lot.

"Pakistan must strive to improve its image abroad. If you watch international media, the information pouring out from different parts of Pakistan, especially Karachi, is often regarding terrorism, violation and killings. It has been somewhat controlled now but still need to be fully rectified," the envoy said.

When asked, the ambassador said French President Jacques Chirac has been invited by President Pervez Musharraf to visit Pakistan. The visit is yet to be scheduled. However, the French foreign minister would be visiting Pakistan in the later half of the year.

http://www.jang.com.pk/thenews/may2005-dai.../main/main8.htm
__________

What do you think Pakistan should do now? I do not think Pakistan is willing to co-operate with other countries on their nuclear programs. However, I do believe that Pakistan will get help. The Mirage 2000 sections of this news also seems interesting, I think that the Mirage 2k will be able to deliver the nuclear equipment that these talks are being held on.

[PAF923]

Is Pakistan getting all the latest weaponry from the United States with its F-16s?

[hovercraft]

http://www.jang.com.pk/thenews/feb2006-daily/20-02-2006/main/main3.htm


RAWALPINDI: Pakistan on Sunday test-fired an indigenously developed short range surface-to-surface ballistic missile, Hatf-II Abdali. Abdali can reach targets up to 200 kilometres and carry nuclear and other types of warheads.
"A successful test fire of the indigenously developed short range surface-to-surface ballistic missile Hatf-II Abdali was conducted today," said a press release of ISPR. "All the planned technical parameters were validated," it added. India had been given prior notification of the launch, as agreed last year before all ballistic missile tests are conducted.

3rd or 4th time this missile tested but i think pakistanies are trying to make this missile for missile defence, is this right or possible?

[mysterious]

I think Pakistani missile development is now focussing on improving the shorter range missiles by increasing effieciency and other parameters. They know they have the range (with the Ghauri & Shaheen) missiles to cover India in its entirety so it is necessary that they continue to improve their point-defence arsenals (read short-range missiles) which would come in more handy in the battle-field for tactical advantages.

The only long-range missiles I see coming out from R & D in the imminent future would be the Ghauri-III with a range rumoured to be around 3500Km and that would be it, since Pakistan doesn't have concerns about any other country (beyond the subcontinent) trying to threaten its sovereignty.

Once again, for now the main focus of Pakistan's missile programme seems to be more efficient short-range ballistic missiles and different versions of the Babur cruise missile.

[hovercraft]

not only ghuari-III, also shaheen -III with range of 4000km

http://www.strategycenter.net/research/pubID.47/pub_detail.asp

[aaaditya]

well does anyone know what is the cep of the pakistani missiles as well as what guidance systems they use.

iam also interested in knowing the cep of the babur cruise missile as well as it's guidance system.

[Elite-Pilot]

It is said the Shaheen-II Ballistic Missile can me narrowed down with less weight,thus giving it the capability to become a ICBM with the range of 4,000km. Personally I think Pakistan should only have one missile as its ICBM :el

[mysterious]

IMHO, 4000Km is referred to as an IRBM and anything with 5000Km+ is considered to be an ICBM.

As far as CEP is concerned, for Shaheen-2 it is believed to be around 300m due to the fact that it incorporates a warhead post-separation correction system.

[hovercraft]

It is said the Shaheen-II Ballistic Missile can me narrowed down with less weight,thus giving it the capability to become a ICBM with the range of 4,000km. Personally I think Pakistan should only have one missile as its ICBM :el

shaheen-II has range of 2000km with full payload and with lower payload it has range of 2500km, not 4000km

[mysterious]

Pakistan develops short-range missile

ISLAMABAD: Pakistan has developed a short-range missile for targeting armoured vehicles and fixed targets.

The Joint Standoff Weapon System will enable the Pakistan Air Force and navy to hit targets at close range with accuracy. The range of the missile is 70 kilometres.

The system is a joint venture of the air force and navy. It has been developed using global positioning and initial management system. It is designed on the Joint Air Frame Guidance and Flight Control systems.

Under this programme, a sensor fitted in a fighter jet provides relevant details about possible targets, Geo Television reported.

Renowned analyst Dr Hasan Askari Rizvi said that the Joint Standoff Weapon System is a form of cruise missile. An advantage of this system is that it can be fired while remaining outside the range of the enemy’s anti-aircraft and defence systems, he said. “It is fired from a jet fighter and after piercing through the air, can hit its target,” he said. Rizvi said that the missile will “add to the defensive punch of the country” because it strengthens the air defence system. He said that the missile can hit hard targets, air shelters, underground command posts and tanks.

The missile is also a relatively expensive and effective defence system, he said. APP

http://www.defencetalk.com/news/publish/article_005021.php

Congrats to the scientists involved. Now, can anyone go in to more technical details of this new missile system? And also explain in detail its usage in the battlefield and how effective is it?

[SABRE]

DT update (Not much changed though)



New missile able to hit over-horizon targets



ISLAMABAD: Pakistan has attained another landmark in modern missile technology by producing a joint standoff weapon system. It is capable of hitting over-the-horizon targets with accuracy.


The system uses technologies called 'Integrated Global Positioning System’ and ‘Inner-shell Management System Navigation’. The programme is designed around the modular joint airframe guidance and flight control systems.


The maximum range of this missile is 70 kilometres. Under the programme, fighter jets fitted with sensors provide relevant details about potential targets and guide the fighter plane to strike them with an accuracy.


This system is used to hit armoured vehicles and fixed targets, a local television channel reported. Dr Prof Hassan Askari, a renowned defence analyst, highlighted advantages of the system and said that the missile could be fired from a fighter plane while remaining outside the range of enemy’s anti-aircraft and other defence systems.


Source: DT NEWS
Link: http://www.defencetalk.com/news/publish/article_005021.php

[umair]

Media at it again. It's the AGM-154 JSOW ns only a few test units have been procured.

[mysterious]

I would say its more like the AGM-154A-1 (BLU-111) which was an export oriented project in the first place. But why procure only a few test units? Its clear that Pakistani forces do need them for their operations along the Afghanistan border in greater numbers.

[hawa-ka-sipahi]

Its still not clear whether its Pak Airforce & Navy joint weapon system or US has sell some of its AGM-154 JSOW to Pak .
Or does it have any link with H-4/H-2 derivatives (many consider H-4/H-2 to an air launched medium range bomb)
And by the way which PAF airborne radar system offers integration and firing capability of an "American standoff weapon"???!!!..........thanks ,Ali

[mysterious]

It has been confirmed. It is infact the American AGM-154A JSOW and can be integrated with the F-16s that are in service with the PAF.

[pingpong]

Pakistan successfully test fires long-range nuclear-capable missile


ISLAMABAD, Pakistan (Agencies) Pakistan on Saturday successfully test fired a long-range nuclear-capable surface-to-surface missile, the military said. The ballistic Missile Hatf VI (Shaheen II), with a range of 2,500 kilometers, can carry conventional and non-conventional weapons, a Pakistan military statement said, adding that the ``test was conducted to validate additional technical parameters beyond those that were verified in the last test fire in March 2005.'' The statement did not disclose where the latest test was conducted. Speaking after the successful test, Prime Minister Shaukat Aziz made it clear that Pakistan's strategy of credible minimum deterrence was fully in place and was a guarantee of peace in the region. He said his government was fully alive to developments in the region and reiterated that Pakistan would never accept discrimination of any kind. In a separate message, the President General Pervez Musharraf also congratulated the team on its outstanding success. (First Posted @ 9:45 PST Updated@ 10:30 PST)

http://www.dawn.com/2006/04/29/welcome.htm

[mysterious]

Still no confirmation if a 3000Km missile is in its final stages or not. It seems that, for now, Pakistan is content with increasing the efficiency and accuracy of its current missile force rather than coming up with a new one.

[SABRE]

Pakistan builds on Chinese SAM system

James C O'Halloran Editor, Jane's Land-Based Air Defence

Pakistan is now in a position to series-produce a modified version of the Chinese Qiang Wei-2 (QW-2) man-portable surface-to-air missile (SAM) system known locally as the Anza Mk III, according to documents recently acquired in Asia.

Development of the system is understood to have been facilitated by the transfer of Chinese technology, including thermal-imaging and infra-red night-vision system technology.

It would appear from photographic evidence that Pakistan has made several modifications to the system, probably to conform to local requirements and operational use with the Pakistani armed forces.

One such major modification is the firing unit, or 'gripstock', which in the Pakistani version seems more modern and of the type associated with the Russian Igla missile, as opposed to the Chinese firing unit, which is of the type normally associated with the Russian Strela man-portable SAM. The Igla system is known to contain circuitry that enhances the weapon's engagement capabilities. It is also highly likely that the Pakistani Anza Mk III, although modelled on the Chinese QW-2, has been locally modified to allow it to be used with Russian-made missiles should they become available. The Anza Mk III is, therefore, likely to offer an enhanced detection, launch and flight capability compared with the QW-2, with its firing unit possibly interchangeable with the Russian Igla and Igla-1 SAM systems.

Source: Janes
Link: N/A (premium users can search Janes website)


The news was published on 19th of May by Janes.



Lot of ppl been asking abt Pakistan's SAM's development. Well this can at least give a mild idea of it.

[ali.uaf]

he guyz its an independent study .. hopefully it will give people lots of information regarding India Pakistan

http://www.defencetalk.com/cgi-bin/news/exec/view.cgi/15/2975

[ali.uaf]

A new Report take a look at it , but i wonder a single reactor makes such an issue damn .......

http://http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2006/07/23/AR2006072300737.html

[WebMaster]

A new Report take a look at it , but i wonder a single reactor makes such an issue damn .......

http://http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2006/07/23/AR2006072300737.html

Seems like a cooked up "report," it does not have anything new than what was already being ASSUMED back in 1998:

http://www.bu.edu/globalbeat/nucwatch/nucwatch071798.html

I would like to speak with the nameless independent analysts. :crazy

Reports like this really give out wrong and false information and that is not a good thing when we are faced with comparative study of world nuclear powers.

[ali.uaf]

Seems like a cooked up "report," it does not have anything new than what was already being ASSUMED back in 1998:

http://www.bu.edu/globalbeat/nucwatch/nucwatch071798.html

I would like to speak with the nameless independent analysts. :crazy

Reports like this really give out wrong and false information and that is not a good thing when we are faced with comparative study of world nuclear powers.

umm ya true looks like a cooked one ...

but would any one like to share more information regarding that reactor as when it will be completed and starts producing electricity and would it be one the most powerful reactors in South Asia

ty

[hovercraft]

Is anyone heard news,
Pakistan constructed and tested (may be in factory) new mobile multiple launcher for Babur cruise missile. Having capability to fire three Babur cruise missiles.
This news was published on front page of Nawa-I-Waqt daily (Urdu) dated 24 July, 2006.
I searched for electronic version of this but failed. I saved Copy of this newspaper.

[SATAN]

Pakistan tests nuclear-capable ballistic missile

ISLAMABAD, March 3 (AFP) Mar 03, 2007
Pakistan on Saturday test-fired a short-range nuclear-capable ballistic missile, its second test within eight days, the military said.
The surface-to-surface Abdali has a range of 200 kilometers (125 miles) and is one of the earliest missile systems developed by Pakistan.

"The test was aimed at validation of the desired technical parameters which has been successfully achieved," the military said in a statement.

Pakistan tested the Shaheen II, or Hatf VI, missile with a range of 2,000 kilometres (1,240 miles) on February 23, two days after signing a historic deal with rival India to cut the risk of atomic weapons accidents.

The neighbours have routinely conducted missile tests since carrying out tit-for-tat nuclear detonations in May 1998.





All rights reserved. © 2005 Agence France-Presse.

[SATAN]

Pakistan Successfully Tests Nuclear-Capable Missile
Islamabad (AFP) Feb 23, 2007
Pakistan Friday test-fired its longest range nuclear-capable ballistic missile, two days after signing a deal with rival India to cut the risk of atomic weapons accidents, the military said. The Shaheen II, or Hatf VI, missile with a range of 2,000 kilometres (1,240 miles) was launched from an undisclosed location, military spokesman Major General Shaukat Sultan told AFP.
"The test was very successful. It was carried out to validate technical parameters and it hit the target with 100 percent accuracy," Sultan said.

"It is a two-stage solid-fuel-based missile capable of carrying all types of warhead including nuclear."

Pakistan had informed "neighbouring countries" in advance about the missile test, foreign office spokeswoman Tasnim Aslam said. Pakistan is bordered by India, Afghanistan, China and Iran.

"We conduct these tests from time to time according to our requirement and defence needs. It was not meant to convey any message to anyone. It was not any country-specific," she said.

Pakistan President Pervez Musharraf and Prime Minister Shaukat Aziz congratulated the missile's technical team "on its outstanding success," a military statement said.

"The missile test was part of (a) continuous process of validation and technical improvement, which Pakistan follows to consolidate and verify its various land-based strategic missile systems," the statement said.

The test comes at a key time in relations between New Delhi and Islamabad following the firebombing of a cross-border train at midnight Sunday, which killed 68 Pakistanis and Indians.

Pakistan Foreign Minister Khurshid Kasuri went ahead with a visit to India starting on Tuesday, during which the two countries signed the nuclear weapon safeguard agreement.

Friday's missile launch was watched by Pakistan's Chairman of Joint Chiefs of Staff General Ehsan Ul Haq, who said the test was "an important milestone in Pakistan's quest for sustaining strategic balance in South Asia."

India and Pakistan carried out tit-for-tat nuclear detonations in May 1998 and have routinely conducted missile tests since, even after the start of a slow-moving peace process in January 2004.

The neighbours have fought three wars since independence from Britain in 1947, two of them over the disputed Himalayan territory of Kashmir, which is divided between the two and claimed by both in its entirety.


Source: Agence France-Presse

[faheem]

Pakistan has recently conducted another successful test of BABAR Cruise missile having a range of about 700 km.

[uaf]

Pakistan has recently conducted another successful test of BABAR Cruise missile having a range of about 700 km.

Here is the Detail

ISLAMABAD: Pakistan on Thursday successfully test-fired a nuclear-capable cruise missile for the third time, the Inter Services Public Relation(ISPR) said in a statement.

The Hatf VII Babar missile has a range of 700 kilometers (435 miles) and can carry all kinds of warheads, it said in a statement.

"The Babar is a terrain hugging, radar avoiding cruise missile, whose range has now been enhanced to 700 kilometers," it said.

The chairman of Pakistan’s Joint Chiefs of Staff Committee General Ehsan ul Haq, as well as senior military officials and scientists witnessed the test.

Pakistan President Pervez Musharraf and Prime Minister Shaukat Aziz have congratulated the scientists and engineers on this "very important success", it said.

The first test was conducted in 2005 and a second in March last year

http://www.geo.tv/geonews/details.asp?id=3711&param=1

http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/south_asia/6478237.stm

[ahussains]

Yesterday they test it and today BABUR is also dispalyed at the Pakistan Day Parade to the Peoples and all over the world this is an enhased version with the some range improvemnts also some one say they made a multiple launcher to fire it 3 missiles at the same time intersting (Not conform Yet)..

[P.A.F]

http://www.geo.tv/geonews/details.asp?id=9330&param=1

ISLAMABAD: Pakistan successfully test-fired Hataf –VII cruise missile of Babur series on Thursday.

The missile has a range of 700 kilometers and capable of carrying multiple warheads.

Hataf-VII can be fired from Agosta submarine and fighter jets F-16 and F-17.

President Pervez Musharraf and Prime Minister Shaukat Aziz have congratulated the scientists and engineers on successful missile test.

Dr. Samar Mubarakmand was the chief guest on the occasion of the missile test. Senior military officials of SSG Force regional command were also present at the occasion.
__________________________________________________ _______

Not to sure about some of the claims but just posted it to let u know that it was tested yet again today.:)

[bilalmunir919]

Yes and there mustbe some improvements in this one as compared to the one which is tested in the beginning of this year.:)

[nero]

Yes and there mustbe some improvements in this one as compared to the one which is tested in the beginning of this year.:)
.
u r absolutely right

the latest babur is an improvement over it's last avatar.

this one has a range of 700km & testing is on to further improve the range to 1000-km.

the terrain hugging capability makes the babur -II particularly dangerous, as it can evade radar with utmost ease.


.

[mysterious]

. the terrain hugging capability makes the babur -II particularly dangerous, as it can evade radar with utmost ease.

Ahem! Thats what most cruise missiles do! Avoid Radar.

Coming to the article posted by P.A.F, it seems that unsubstantiated claims are being made. The Agostas cannot carry Babur and there has been no effort thus far to integrate the Babur with the aircraft in PAF's inventory as yet.

[hasan]

I agree with mysterious, subs can either fire cruise missiles by sufacing and deployin firing platforms on the main hull or they can fire when suubmerged, i.e from vertical pods on the submarine. Such major modifications to the Agosta have not appeared in news anywhere.

[POW]

Well PAF and PN have to spent on much urgent priorities. As far as the integration of BABUR goes there is definitely the possibility and capability to do so in the future. Fact is PAF uses H-1,2 etc and Exocet along with PN which use both Exocet and Harpoon Blk2. So right now they donot need cm s urgently. Once Babur has considerable range and we have new patforms in service such as JF-17, J-10 and f-16s then we will no doubt see this CM integrated with those aircrafts and new subs which are also in the pipeline. So yes right now they are focusing on the missile and its capabilities itseld rather than the integration but point is that this is a long term GOAL which they will never overlook .

[nero]

.

with the induction of babur, pakistan must master the art of the High-low Technique to counter the indian barak.

the high-low technique , where one missile is fired high to distract radar while the other fired low, to sink the ship, may be used against all such systems such as Barak, Phalanx, etc.

such a technique can be extremely effective with cruise missiles that are radar or optically guided & is deadly against naval targets.

the 'Barak' system is not as effective as first thought. it's short range is a major handicap against advanced cruise-missiles like the babur,

this point can be proved by the recent incident of the Ahi-Hanit , where the barak proved ineffective.

.

[seaprince]

Pakistan to accelerate nuclear program:

ISLAMABAD: After the finalization of nuclear deal between India and the United States, Pakistan has decided to accelerate the development of its nuclear and missile program and President Pervez Musharraf and the government in this regard have issued directives to the scientists and engineers of the country.


Military sources said that Pakistan in the time to come would continue the testing of new missiles.

Reliable sources further told Online that in the meeting of National Command and Control Authority, the matter of disturbance of strategic balance after Indo-US deal was discussed in detail and it was decided that Pakistan would continue the development of its nuclear and missile programme.

The work on Khushab reactor would be speedup while new nuclear reactors would also be installed which number in range of four to five.

Sources told that the government of Pakistan has rejected any US pressure in this regard and clarified that it would take all necessary steps to ensure its solidarity, defence and sovereignty and the strategic balance in the region would be maintained at all costs.

The acquiring of latest technology would also be ensured and President General Pervez Musharraf in this regard has given go-ahead to Pakistani scientists aiming to continue the development of Pakistan nuclear and missile programme.The new missile tests would be held in September and October in which both ballistic and cruise missile would be tested and through these tests the strategic ability of Pakistan would be enhanced.
Pakistan would also acquire assistance from countries having latest technology aiming to meet its increasing energy needs.

http://paktribune.com/news/index.shtml?187215

[nero]

.

great news !!

this calls for celebration !!

by the way any news on the plutonium tipped warheads, which were being designed to fit into the 21-inch launch tubes of the U-214 ???

please update if possible.

[bilalmunir919]

Pakistan shortly conducted the test of another cruise missile Hatf 8 which has a range of 350 km and canbe launched through the air and sea.:)

[mysterious]

Pakistan Tests 'New' Cruise Missile

Pakistan has successfully test-fired a new cruise missile capable of carrying nuclear weapons, its military said.

The missile, named Hatf-VIII (or Raad, "thunder" in Arabic), has a range of 350km (220 miles), and can carry all types of warheads, a statement said.

Pakistan and its neighbour India - both nuclear powers - routinely carry out missile tests.

Tension between Pakistan and India has decreased in recent months amid a series of bilateral overtures.

The missile "has been designed exclusively for launch from a variety of Pakistan's air platforms, providing these with a strategic stand-off capability on land and at sea," the Pakistani military said.

"The Raad can carry all types of warheads and has an accuracy comparable to Pakistan's longer Babar cruise missile," the statement said.

The Babar or Hatf-VII missile, which was tested in March, has a range of 700km (430 miles).

In February, Pakistan test-fired a nuclear-capable, surface-to-surface Hatf VI missile, with a much longer range of 2,000 km (1,250 miles).

Courtesy: BBC News



This certainly is a welcomed development though it certainly has been a well kept secret. Not much was known about this 'Raad' cruise missile since everyone pretty much focused on the 'Babur'.

So according to BBC's report, this new cruise missile has a range of only 350Km, which is half of Babur's. That seems odd since, with Babur, Pakistan already has a 700Km capability, UNLESS, the alterations to make it launch from PAF's platforms factored in, in lowering the range?

Is this still sub-sonic? Any news on whether Pakistan is concentrating on super-sonic cruise missiles at all to counter Brahmos?

[layer3]

ISLAMABAD: Pakistan on Saturday successfully test-fired a new Air Launched Cruise Missile (ALCM) named Hatf-8 (Ra’ad)).

The indigenously developed Ra’ad (meaning “Thunder” in Arabic), with a range of 350 KMs for now, has been designed exclusively for launch from a variety of Pakistan’s air Platforms, providing these with a strategic stand off capability of land and at sea.

The missile has a low detection probability due to stealth design and materials used in its manufacturing. The Ra’ad can carry all types of warheads and has an accuracy comparable to Pakistan’s longer Babur cruise missile.



Source:http://www.geo.tv/geonews/details.asp?id=10580&param=1

Seems that this new cruise missile is Air version of Babur. It would be interesting to know which aircraft was used to for the test.

[layer3]

Well the Geo news reported that it is Air lauched cruise missile, so it must have been tested through one of PAFs platforms.

[BilalK]

Ra'ad was launched by a Mirage ROSE-I - Link (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HJNppgV7tFk&feature=RecentlyWatched&page=1&t=t&f=b)

Ra'ad similar in design and concept to the MBDA Storm Shadow/Black Shaheen. A few more years of development, we may see a Ra'ad block on par in performance, technology and stealth with the MBDA Storm Shadow.

[FSMonster]

That's very impressive. I bet it's using the same guidance as Babur as it wouldn't make sense to develop a completely different system for this version. This is a significant stand-off weapon that enables a capable platform to fire the missile from a safe distance and head back to base immediately. I'd say that for now, only PAF's F-16 can carry something as heavy as Ra'ad (I'm guessing it's at least 1000 kg). The missile itself is probably very similar to Babur except it carries much less fuel. Also, I think it'll be launched at subsonic speeds and have hi-lo flight profile.

Congratulations to Pakistan, I admire the country's sceintific potential and technological self-reliance.

[Jade]

http://www.geo.tv/geonews/details.asp?id=9330&param=1

ISLAMABAD: Pakistan successfully test-fired Hataf –VII cruise missile of Babur series on Thursday.

The missile has a range of 700 kilometers and capable of carrying multiple warheads.

Hataf-VII can be fired from Agosta submarine and fighter jets F-16 and F-17.

President Pervez Musharraf and Prime Minister Shaukat Aziz have congratulated the scientists and engineers on successful missile test.

Dr. Samar Mubarakmand was the chief guest on the occasion of the missile test. Senior military officials of SSG Force regional command were also present at the occasion.
__________________________________________________ _______

Not to sure about some of the claims but just posted it to let u know that it was tested yet again today.:)


Mod Warning: Jade if you dont have anything better (Preferably informative) to say other than posting some useless one liners - which are not allowed on this forum (Rule#2: http://www.defencetalk.com/forums/announcement.php?f=47) - than refrain from saying anything at all. If you are just trying to increase the post count than stop, you wont be getting anything but trouble out of it.

Note: You already have committed this twice.

[suryaaa]

.

with the induction of babur, pakistan must master the art of the High-low Technique to counter the indian barak.

the high-low technique , where one missile is fired high to distract radar while the other fired low, to sink the ship, may be used against all such systems such as Barak, Phalanx, etc.

such a technique can be extremely effective with cruise missiles that are radar or optically guided & is deadly against naval targets.

the 'Barak' system is not as effective as first thought. it's short range is a major handicap against advanced cruise-missiles like the babur,

this point can be proved by the recent incident of the Ahi-Hanit , where the barak proved ineffective.

.

Guys is babur a subsonic c-missile...well if so (its only my view) because of that it will not create much problem to barak or any other system....u r point would be relevant if it were a supersonic c-missile ....Is it comparable to tomahawk...and one more thing does very version of babur tested i mean air,sea and land launched.....

[SABRE]

Guys is babur a subsonic c-missile...well if so (its only my view) because of that it will not create much problem to barak or any other system....u r point would be relevant if it were a supersonic c-missile ....Is it comparable to tomahawk...and one more thing does very version of babur tested i mean air,sea and land launched.....

Babur is a subsonic CM & so is tomahawk. Babur has only been tested (successfully) from land. There are no reports on its tests via air &/or sea yet, although NESCOM says it can be launcehd from any platform.

[hovercraft]

Some Picturs of Ra'ad Cuise Missile from news.

[BilalK]

Made in China 100% I bet

I'd like to know what Chinese system Ra'ad is...

suryaa

Isn't the Barak a ship-based defence system? Babur and Ra'ad would be attacking stationary targets on land - so is there a Barak-type system allocated to major ground installations?

[kato]

is there a Barak-type system allocated to major ground installations?

In theory (as in under development). Barak-8 / Barak-NG / Barak-MR (http://www.defense-update.com/products/b/barak8.htm).

[mysterious]

I'd say that for now, only PAF's F-16 can carry something as heavy as Ra'ad (I'm guessing it's at least 1000 kg).

Well the pictures posted by 'hovercraft' and other sources clearly demonstrate that Mirages in PAF inventory are capable of delivering the Ra'ad to its target without any issues.

Surprising, that F-16 wasn't used to test out Ra'ad.

[meh]

Some Picturs of Ra'ad Cuise Missile from news.

Guys doesn't this look similer to the anglo-French Storm Shadow but with a greater range. I was looking at the Ra'ad and for some reason the design reminded me of the Storm Shadow execpt the Sa'ad has a range of 220miles while the Storm Shadow has a range of 150miles.

[hovercraft]

Surprising, that F-16 wasn't used to test out Ra'ad.

Because using F-16 for this test will effect on PAK-US deal of F-16s.

[layer3]

Because using F-16 for this test will effect on PAK-US deal of F-16s.

The reason I see is that a Mirages also serve Navy, With its dual role it is beneficial to have Mirages carrying these weapons against Indian ships until Submarine version of Babur is developed. I guess it is a short term arrangement to counter the Indian Navy being fitted with Brahmos.

[su-30mki]

Mod: This is what is considered as "Flaming". You have just copy pasted an article which has no credibility & it doomed to start a Indo-Pak conflict & you also have not provided your own comments.

I have warned you before & this perhaps is the last time.

[IceCold]

The reason I see is that a Mirages also serve Navy, With its dual role it is beneficial to have Mirages carrying these weapons against Indian ships until Submarine version of Babur is developed. I guess it is a short term arrangement to counter the Indian Navy being fitted with Brahmos.

I think if this maybe the reason, then perhaps RA'AD will be tested with the JF's as well because JF's will replace the mirages in the near future.
However i would wana place a question here, RA'AD has a range of 350kms while the radars of both JF's and mirages have a lesser sea range. Like for e.g if an RC-400 is used as a radar for the JF-17 and in which pakistan has shown much interest, its range for sea targets is 250kms, so how does this effect the capability of firing the missile or does it effect at all? My purpose of asking this question is that can the plane take out the maximum advantage of its missile range and get out of the enemies SAM range after firing?

[Aliph Ahmed]

Pakistan missile project ahead of India’s’By Our Correspondent

NEW DELHI, Jan 9: India’s missile scientists have said that the country’s indigenous missile programme is flagging and needs foreign assistance to revive it.

The embarrassing admission came amid claims by Indian analysts that Pakistan’s missile programme had proved to be more robust and surefooted than India’s. The Mail Today newspaper on Wednesday quoted the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) as announcing that it would scrap its 25-year Integrated Guided Missile Development Programme (IGMDP) by the end of this year.

“Plagued by cost overruns and repeated failures, the announcement is a virtual admission of failure,” the newspaper said. “In fact, some former chiefs of the different services said as much on hearing the news.”

Speaking of the Trishul surface-to-air missile that has now been termed a technology demonstrator, former naval chief Sushil Kumar said: “It was a national embarrassment. DRDO made fake claims for 25 years. In the 1999 Kargil conflict, the navy was vulnerable to attacks from Pakistan’s Harpoon.

“Finally the project was scrapped when the navy went in for the Israeli Barak missiles. The Prithvi’s naval variant, Dhanush, is also flawed and ill-conceived, which is being inflicted on the navy.”On the Akash missile, which was the subject of the DRDO media conference here on Tuesday, former air chief S. P. Tyagi said: “Akash was to be ready at a certain time, but it wasn’t. I had to change everything to make up for the delay.” Both missiles were part of a programme to develop indigenous weapons, which began in July 1983, with plans for Agni, Prithvi, Trishul, Akash and Nag missiles.

The IGMDP, which was aimed at achieving self-sufficiency in missile development and production, comprises five core missile programmes -- the strategic Agni ballistic missile, the tactical Prithvi ballistic missile, the Akash and Trishul surface-to-air missiles and the Nag anti-tank guided missile.

The Mail Today quoted S. Prahlada, chief of the Control Research and Development, DRDO, as saying that development and production of most of the futuristic weapon systems would henceforth be undertaken with foreign collaboration.

With regard to the nuclear-capable Agni series, comprising I and II, the newspaper quoted army sources as saying while they had been tested five times each “a handful of tests are not enough to prove a missile’s worth”.

There were different problems with other systems too.

“Pakistan has always been one step ahead of India in its missile programme,” the newspaper said, adding that Islamabad has “a much more robust missile force than India, one capable of launching nuclear weapons to any part in this country.”

Unlike Indian missiles, which were declared “inducted” after a few tests, the Pakistani projectiles have always been thoroughly tested.


Courtesy: Dawn, 10 January 2008

[Aliph Ahmed]

Pak always a step ahead

By Manoj JoshiIn New Delhi
1/9/2008


Pakistan has always been one step ahead of India in its missile programme. When purists in the DRDO claimed that they would design an indigenous missile, the practical Pakistanis obtained their missiles, just like their nuclear technology, by hook or by crook. As a result, Pakistan today has a much more robust missile force than India, one capable of launching nuclear weapons to any part in this country.
The globalsecurity.org states that Pakistan’s ballistic missile development programme has followed a twin-track approach — of importing missile systems and subsystems from China and North Korea and then using these to press ahead with its indigenous development. The early Pakistani missiles of the Hatf series were nothing but unguided rockets and were never really deployed. The canny Pakistanis allowed two approaches — one for liquid propellant missiles that A.Q. Khan got from North Korea, and the more complex solid-fuelled missiles that the National Development Complex, headed by his rival Samar Mubarakmand, got through China.
Shortly after the first test of India’s Prithvi in 1987, Pakistan began negotiations for M-11 missiles off-the-shelf from China. The first batch was supplied in 1989, and hidden in crates at the Sarghodha air base to prevent triggering US sanctions.
Later, the Chinese transferred an entire production plant to Pakistan. No doubt, immediately after the Agni test in 1989, the Pakistanis were negotiating with the North Koreans for the No Dong.
Adrian Levy and Catherine Scott Clark say the key negotiation was done by Benazir Bhutto, whose official visit in 1993 was used to carry on a barter of Pakistani nuclear technology in exchange for what became the Ghauri missile. This coincided with the freezing of India’s Agni programme after it was claimed that the technology demonstration tests had been done through the third launch of Agni-I in May 1994.
In April 1998, Pakistan tested Ghauri (Hatf-5), its version of the North Korean No Dong. The nuclear-capable surface-to-surface missile with a range of 1,000-1,500 km sent shockwaves through India, most of whose cities now came in its range. The denouement was the Indian decision to test nuclear weapons in May 1998.
When India was struggling with its Agni, Pakistan tested a range of new missiles. Ghauri-II was tested in April 14 1999, Shaheen-I based on the Chinese M-9 intermediate-range ballistic missile was tested a day later. Within a couple of years, variants of both missiles entered service.
Unlike Indian missiles, which were declared “inducted” after a few tests, the Pakistani projectiles have always been thoroughly tested. In almost all cases, the DRDO claimed that not many tests were needed because of its superior systems.
Anyway, the first test of a “useful” Agni II was conducted in April 1999. The second took place in January 2001, and the missile was declared fit. The DRDO argument appears hollow because even Russia, one of the world’s foremost missile powers, has tested its Topol-M at least 30 times.
Pakistan has often tested its missiles over populated areas in a trajectory from the Jhelum testing range to Baluchistan.
It indicates the confidence they have in their missiles. India, on the other hand, has yet to carry out a true land-to-land test.
The country’s approach on cruise missiles is not different either. It joint venture with Russia to make the BrahMos missiles prompted the Pakistanis to come out with Babur, which took a 600-km test.
Pakistan has always been one-up over India in missiles and soon will have an edge in submarines, too. They will soon have an air-independent propulsion submarine capable of remaining submerged for a long time before our nuclear-propelled submarine gets going.
In matters of security, what matters is what you have, not how you acquired it. Most of these missiles are meant to carry nuclear weapons and are likely to be used only in the remotest contingency.

http://www.mailtoday.in/epapermain.aspx?queryed=9&eddate=1/9/2008

[Aliph Ahmed]

Pakistan test fires nuclear-capable medium-range missile Hatf-4
Updated at: 1100 PST, Friday, January 25, 2008


ISLAMABAD: Pakistan on Friday successfully test-fired a medium-range ballistic missile Hatf-4 Shaheen-1 at the conclusion of the army's annual field training exercises, the military said.

A statement said that the Strategic Missile Group had launched the Shaheen-1 missile on Friday from an undisclosed location.

The nuclear-capable missile has a range of 700 kilometers (420miles). Pakistan routinely tests the various missiles in its arsenal, designed to match that of neighboring archrival India.

A Strategic Missile Group (SMG) of the Pakistan Army’s Strategic Force Command (ASFC) conducted a successful training launch of the Shaheen-1 (Hatf-IV) Medium Range Ballistic Missile.

The launch was conducted at the conclusion of the annual field training exercises of a Shaheen-1 Missile Group.

It may be recalled that the Shaheen-1 Ballistic Missile System, with a range of 700 kms, is an operationalised weapon system held by the ASFC and is routinely fired during training exercises by the troops of the ASFC.

The field launch exercise of the ASFC was witnessed by the Chief of the Army Staff, General Ashfaq Parvez Kayani, senior military officers and scientists.

Addressing the troops in the exercise area, the COAS congratulated them on achieving high standards of training and excellent results.

He said that the nation had developed a strong nuclear deterrence capability and expected that the officers and men entrusted with the task of deterring aggression would continue to train hard and maintain professional excellence.

The Chief of Army Staff made it clear that Pakistan did not have any aggressive designs against anyone and Pakistan’s nuclear capability was solely for the purpose of deterring all types of aggression.

Referring to international concerns regarding speculative scenarios, he dismissed such concerns as unrealistic and based on a lack of understanding of Pakistan’s command and control mechanisms.

He said that the Pakistani Armed Forces were a highly professional, motivated and well trained force and were capable of safeguarding and securing nuclear assets against all categories of threat.

The nation stood behind the armed forces. He stressed that creating irresponsible alarm by certain quarters would be counter productive.

http://www.thenews.com.pk/updates.asp?id=36060

[Aliph Ahmed]

Pakistan successfully test- fires Ghaznavi Hataf-III

Updated at: 1035 PST, Wednesday, February 13, 2008

Islamabad, January 25: Pakistan successfully test-fired a 700-km range Shaheen-1 (Hatf-IV) Medium Range Ballistic Missile.
Pakistan successfully test-fires BM Ghaznavi Hataf-III
ISLAMABAD: Pakistan successfully test-fired a medium range Ballistic Missile (BM) Ghaznavi Hataf-III, which was conducted by the Pakistan Army Strategic Force Command.
Caretaker Prime Minister, Mohammadmian Soomro, Chief of the Army Staff, General Ashfaq Parvez Kiyani, senior military officers and scientists were also present on this occasion.
Hataf-III Ghaznavi, a medium range ballistic missile could hit its target at 290-kilometre and it possesses the capacity to carry nuclear weapons and warheads.
President, Prime Minister and Chief of the Army Staff have felicitated the Pak Army for this successful missile test.

http://www.thenews.com.pk/updates.asp?id=37373

[Aliph Ahmed]

I had to check the date twice to make sure that this thread was really out of date. I tried my best to update it.

Seems like Pakistan's production of missiles is in full swing and more batches of Ghauri and Ghaznavi were inducted.

Everytime a batch is inducted, Army picks one missile at random and fires it to certify the others as a quality control measure.

[mysterious]

Aliph, this thread becomes active as & when newer developments take place. If you're trying to compare this thread with the one on Indian missiles, well ppl dont really copy-paste news here & call it a discussion.

Thanks for the articles you have provided but it would be appreciated if you can provided your own thoughts on them as well.

Yes Pakistan has carried out at least half a dozen missile tests in the past fortnight or so but this is nothing new as the continuing testing of parameters to be validated as well as maintainance of operational readiness warrants such tests.

What I've been more interested in finding out is what similarities, if any, does Pakistan's Ra'ad ALCM has with regards to Storm Shadow.

[mysterious]

Take a look at the following link:

http://www.janes.com/extracts/extract/jalw/jalwa049.html

They're claiming Ra'ad to be 'resembling' the South African projects of MUPSOW & Torgos.

[BilalK]

IMO the South African MUPSOW & Torgos seem boxier than Ra'ad. However Turkey and Pakistan did sign a recent agreement which included turbojet technology, aircraft stealth and precision-guided systems...we might see a true Storm Shadow/Taurus equivalent.

[niteshkjain]

Link: http://www.rediff.com/news/2008/apr/14pak.htm

US seeks direct access to Pakistan's N-arsenal
April 14, 2008 12:43 IST
Amid Western concerns about the safety of Pakistan's nuclear aresenal, the United States has sought direct access to the body controlling the country's nuclear assets for an American official to be posted at its embassy in Islamabad.

The US State Department sent a proposal to the Pakistan government after a set of 11 demands dispatched earlier by Washington to Islamabad regarding the deployment of American military personnel in the country, were refused by Pakistani authorities.

The latest request from Washington had suggested that the official who would be permanently posted in the US embassy in Islamabad to deal with nuclear issues should have direct access to the National Command Authority Secretariat, The News reported on Monday.

The earlier request had wanted American citizens sent by the US government to be treated above Pakistan's national law.

Leading security analyst Shireen Mazari, the head of the Institute of Strategic Studies, said this latest move by the US was "perhaps the most dangerous effort at intruding into Pakistan's sensitive areas in the ongoing effort to gain direct access to nuclear-strategic matters."

The new request has come at a time when senior US officials who recently visited Pakistan had expressed satisfaction over the safety and security of Pakistan's nuclear assets, the report said.

US embassy spokesperson Elizabeth Colton did not reject the US proposal outright, but told The News: "We are in touch with all elements of the Pakistan government all the time. But we do not publish or discuss details of our diplomatic discussions and assignments."

Mazari said the new proposal was made through verbal contact via an assistant secretary-level official.

"This proposal, again, was not routed through either the foreign or defence ministries, but a direct approach was made to the NCA. Apparently, so far Pakistan has not given any response but it would be quite appropriate to be concerned about such a US move, especially since transparency is not available at our end on such issues," she said.

Defence analyst Lt Gen (retired) Talat Masood said this was an "outright interference" in Pakistan's affairs.

"On what basis does the US want direct access to the NCA? Does the US have any particular fears or apprehensions?The US laws do not allow any transfer of nuclear technology or assets to Pakistan, so why should there be any such officer in the US embassy in Islamabad?" he asked.

[mysterious]

Needless to post such information which is 'yet' to be validated by an other media outlet apart from the usual Indian media that go out of their way to publish such sensational news reports.

Even IF true, the United States will under NO circumstances be granted any such permission since the request would be outright rejected as have been the case with previous efforts. The recently elected government which has received a highly popular mandate from the people of Pakistan in fairly transparent elections is not naive enough to axe its own foot by allowing any such U.S. move to go ahead.

[aimans]

pakistan tested this new long range missile(2K km range)

i was surprised no has posted anynews on this on the forum, or mayb i didnt find it. anways, check it out:

"http://www.paktribune.com/news/index.shtml?199671"

[SABRE]

pakistan tested this new long range missile(2K km range)

i was surprised no has posted anynews on this on the forum, or mayb i didnt find it. anways, check it out:

http://www.defencetalk.com/news/publish/missiles/Pak_Test-Fires_Nuclear-Capable_Shaheen-II_Missile_Again160015593.php

I have edited the link since it was in the DT News section. Next time check if the news is in the news section & post link from there. If not than contact webmaster or supermods.

Why no news on forum was posted by any member & discussed here? Well perhaps they saw it in the news section & did not feel like posting here & had no comments on it.

However, this was not just a test. The interesting thing is it was also a field exercise by army strategic corps of Pakistan to launch a missile - this is for the 1st time the strategic forces have launched a missile (& that being the most advance one) in any form of exercise.

[ghanz]

What is the point of testing these missiles? Do they make improvements before testing them or just to check their readiness.

[SABRE]

What is the point of testing these missiles? Do they make improvements before testing them or just to check their readiness.

Well you don't fire missiles worth millions for no reason. Usually its to check the effectiveness & new improvements.

[Aliph Ahmed]

It is to my understanding that everytime a new batch of missiles is produced, the army before accepting it picks one at random and fires it. Part of quality and control management process.

All batches should have some further improvements over previous batches so test firing just to see improvement doesnt make sense.

[mysterious]

Pakistan Test-Fires Nuclear-Capable Cruise Missile: Military

ISLAMABAD: Pakistan on Thursday successfully tested a ground-hugging cruise missile capable of carrying both nuclear and conventional warheads, the military said.

The Hatf-VIII (Ra'ad) missile, developed exclusively for launch from the air, has a range of 350 kilometres (217 miles), a statement said.

"It has enabled Pakistan to achieve a greater strategic stand-off capability on land and at sea," it said.

"It is a low-altitude, terrain-following missile with high manoeuvrability, and can deliver all types of warheads, with great accuracy," it said.

The firing comes just a day after neighbouring India tested a ballistic, nuclear-capable missile capable of hitting targets deep inside China.

President Pervez Musharraf and Prime Minister Syed Yousuf Raza Gilani congratulated the Pakistani scientists and engineers on their "outstanding" success.

"The missile test is part of a continuing process of validating the design parameters of the weapon system," the statement said.

Last month Pakistan military carried out a training launch of Shaheen II, or Hatf VI, a long-range nuclear-capable missile which can hit targets far into India.

Pakistan's arsenal includes short-range, medium and long-range missiles named after Muslim conquerors.

South Asian rivals India and Pakistan -- which have fought three wars, two of them over the disputed Himalayan territory of Kashmir -- routinely carry out missile tests since both demonstrated nuclear weapons capability in 1998.

http://www.defencetalk.com/news/publish/missiles/Pakistan_test-fires_nuclear-capable_cruise_missile_military160015730.php


It would interesting if this second testing of Ra'ad was carried out using a different aircraft other than the Mirages in PAF's inventory.

[Aliph Ahmed]

My way of reading : After the successfull launch last year, this test is most likely a missile being picked at random and test fired to certify the first batch of Raad Missiles being inducted.

Meaning : First batch of Raad Missile has just been inducted.

In light of latest test firing of different missiles that are already proven in the past, It is to my understanding that missile production in Pakistan is in full swing and at a much much faster pace then of the Indians. Which goes in agreement of President Musharraf's statement last year that Indo-USA nuclear treaty will leave Pakistan with the only option of massively increasing its nuclear deterrent related forces and equipment.

Note: A missile is not test fired to test certain upgrades/modifications unless they are huge.

[yess]

YouTube - Ra'ad Cruse Missile at IDEAS 2008 Pakistan
http://www.***********/gallery/data/719/DSC03062.JPG
http://www.***********/gallery/data/719/DSC03055.JPG
http://www.***********/gallery/data/719/DSC03063.JPG
http://www.***********/gallery/data/719/DSC03064.JPG

it looks very different from that fake model presented on 23rd march.

[mysterious]

And it certainly looks bigger - dimension wise than the 'orange' painted Ra'ad that was tested from a Mirage, doesn't it?

Btw, the gallery links in your post are not working. Would appreciate if you can send me the 'actual' links. Thanks

[mysterious]

Brazil to Sell MAR-1 SEAD Missiles to Pakistan

“Anti-radiation missiles” are designed to find, home in on, and destroy enemy air defense radars; they are often carried by specialist aircraft that accompany air strikes to perform the SEAD (Suppression of Enemy Air Defenses) mission.

In December 2008, Brazil’s government approved a $108 million April 2008 contract with Pakistan for 100 of Mectron’s MAR-1 anti-radiation missiles. DID sources add that the deal needed the Brazilian government’s loan guarantee to become effective.

In contrast with other Mectron Engenharia (http://www.mectron.com.br/) missiles, such as the MAA-1 SRAAM or the forthcoming A-Darter partnership (http://www.defenseindustrydaily.com/south-africa-brazil-to-develop-adarter-sraam-03286/), Mectron appears to be working hard to avoid publicity for the MAR-1. The firm would not even acknowledge the missile’s existence for many years, and details remain sketchy.

Pictures like this one (http://www.patricksaviation.com/photos/ricardo.ricjam/12816/) show a MAR-1 that appears to be similar in size to counterparts like Raytheon’s AGM-88 HARM (http://www.designation-systems.net/dusrm/m-88.html), and has a reported range of 25 km when launched from an altitude of about 33,000 feet/ 10 km.

Testing appears to have ended, and it will equip Brazil’s upgraded AMX and F-5BR aircraft once it is accepted into service.

... Brazil needs export customers in order to achieve its national goal of re-building its defense industries. Jobim has been quoted as saying that the deal will allow Mectron to increase its production from 1 missile per month to 5 missiles.

A sale to Pakistan, followed by integration into a platform like the Pakistani-Chinese JF-17 lightweight fighter, (http://www.defenseindustrydaily.com/stuck-in-sichuan-pakistani-jf17-program-grounded-02984/) could also open up a number of new markets for Mectron.

http://www.defenseindustrydaily.com/Brazil-to-Sell-MAR-1-SEAD-Missiles-to-Pakistan-05182/


Looks like, slow but atleast steady progress is being made towards acquisition of better equipment by Pakistan afterall.