Pakistan unveils advanced Fatah-II rocket system with extended range at WDS 2024.

At the 2024 World Defense Show in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, Pakistan is unveiling the Fatah-II, an advanced guided rocket artillery system, representing a significant improvement over its predecessor, the Fatah-I, with an increased range of up to 400 km.
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FATAH-II presented by Global Industrial & Defence Solutions at WDS 2024 (Picture source: Army Recognition)

Developed by the state-owned Pakistani company, Global Industrial & Defence Solutions (GIDS), the Fatah-II is equipped with a single-stage dual-thrust solid rocket motor, a specially designed thermal protection system, and a programmable trajectory to enhance in-flight guidance and impact accuracy. It incorporates sophisticated navigation technologies (INS+GNSS) and supports both salvo and non-salvo firing modes, complemented by an automatic system for aiming, leveling, positioning, and orientation. The domestic variant has a range of 400 km, while an export version is offered with a range of 290 km, indicating Pakistan's intention to cater to international defense markets while adhering to export controls.

The system's specifications highlight its ability to deliver unitary blast or blast fragmentation warheads weighing 365 kg with a circular error probable (CEP) of less than 50 meters over a range of 100 to 290 kilometers. Each multi-launch vehicle (MLV) is capable of carrying two rockets, emphasizing the system's operational versatility and striking power.

The introduction of the Fatah-II followed an announcement by Pakistan's Inter Services Public Relations (ISPR) on December 23, 2023, of a successful test firing of a new surface-to-surface missile, also named "Fatah-II." This missile, distinct from the FATAH-I MLRS and the Nasr series of short-range ballistic missiles (SRBM), indicates a strategic expansion of Pakistan's guided rocket arsenal. Notably, the Fatah-II features a twin-cell system rather than the Fatah-I's eight-cell launch system and lacks fins on the nosecone, suggesting significant design advancements.

The Fatah-II might share design elements with the CM-400AKG, an air-launched anti-ship missile used by the Pakistan Air Force (PAF) through its JF-17 Thunder multi-role combat aircraft, though it has a longer range.

The naming convention adopted by Pakistan, designating different missile platforms under the "Fatah" banner, suggests the intention to establish a family of guided rockets, enhancing its land-based strike capabilities. This strategy aligns with Pakistan's broader military goal of building its conventional deterrence posture. Moreover, with its active service entry within the Pakistan Army announced, the unveiling of the Fatah-II at WDS 2024 not only demonstrates Pakistan's military modernization efforts but also its ambition to play a significant role in the global defense industry.

Defense News February 2024