🇵🇰 Pakistani Cruise Missiles
1. 🚀 Babur (Hatf-VII) – Ground-Launched Cruise Missile (GLCM)
Overview:
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The Babur missile series is Pakistan’s primary land attack cruise missile family.
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It is similar in design and role to the U.S. Tomahawk and Russia’s Kalibr missiles.
Specifications:
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Range: ~700 km (Babur-1), up to ~900 km (Babur-2)
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Speed: Subsonic (~Mach 0.8)
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Launch Platform: Ground-based mobile launchers
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Guidance: Inertial navigation, terrain contour matching (TERCOM), GPS, and digital scene-matching area correlator (DSMAC)
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Warhead: Conventional or nuclear (~300–450 kg)
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Accuracy: Circular Error Probable (CEP) ~10–20 meters
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Stealth: Low radar cross-section and terrain-hugging flight
Variants:
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Babur-1: First version (range ~700 km)
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Babur-1A: Improved guidance and target engagement
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Babur-2: Upgraded with longer range and better accuracy
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Babur-N: Naval version for ship-launched use (not widely confirmed)
2. 🌊 Babur-3 – Submarine-Launched Cruise Missile (SLCM)
Overview:
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Pakistan’s first nuclear-capable submarine-launched cruise missile, developed for second-strike capability.
Specifications:
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Range: ~450 km
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Launch Platform: Submarines (e.g., Agosta-class)
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Status: Successfully tested; believed to be in early operational or pre-operational deployment
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Guidance: Inertial navigation + terrain contour matching
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Purpose: Deterrence with assured second-strike nuclear capability
Significance:
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Gives Pakistan a nuclear triad (land, air, and sea-based capabilities)
3. ✈️ Ra'ad (Hatf-VIII) – Air-Launched Cruise Missile (ALCM)
Overview:
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A nuclear-capable air-launched cruise missile designed for precision strikes from fighter aircraft.
Specifications:
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Range: ~350 km
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Launch Platform: Mirage III/V aircraft (planned for JF-17 integration)
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Speed: Subsonic
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Guidance: GPS/INS, terrain hugging, DSMAC
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Warhead: Conventional or nuclear
Features:
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Designed to evade radar detection with low-flying profiles
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Enhances strategic strike capability from air assets
4. ✈️ Ra’ad-II
Overview:
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An improved version of Ra’ad with extended range and enhanced precision.
Specifications:
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Range: ~550 km
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Design Improvements:
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Redesigned body and wings for better aerodynamic performance
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Compatible with more platforms (eventual integration on JF-17 Block III)
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Strategic Role:
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Extends Pakistan’s airborne nuclear strike reach further into enemy territory
Summary Table:
| Missile | Type | Range | Launch Platform | Capability | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Babur-1 | GLCM | ~700 km | Ground-based TEL | Conventional/Nuclear | Operational |
| Babur-1A/2 | GLCM | 700–900 km | Ground-based TEL | Improved guidance | Tested/Deployed |
| Babur-3 | SLCM | ~450 km | Submarine (Agosta-class) | Nuclear | Tested/Deployed |
| Ra’ad | ALCM | ~350 km | Mirage III/V | Conventional/Nuclear | Operational |
| Ra’ad-II | ALCM | ~550 km | Mirage / JF-17 (planned) | Extended range/precision | Tested |