Pakistan successfully tests self-developed cruise missile

Pakistan on Monday conducted a successful flight test of an indigenously developed cruise missile that enables the country to achieve strategic standoff capability on land and at sea, the military said.

The Air Launched Cruise Missile (ALCM) "Ra'ad" has a range of 350 km, an army statement said.

"Cruise technology is extremely complex and has been developed by only a few countries in the world," it said.

"The state of the art Ra'ad Cruise Missile with stealth capabilities is a low altitude, terrain hugging missile with high maneuverability; can deliver nuclear and conventional warheads with pin point accuracy."

The president and the prime minister of Pakistan congratulated the scientists and engineers on their outstanding achievement on the successful launch of the missile.

The Strategic Plans Division, who deals with Pakistan's missile system, termed the test as "a major step towards strengthening Pakistan's full spectrum credible minimum deterrence capability."

"Pakistan's strategic pursuits are aimed at achieving strategic stability in the region," said Director General of the Strategic Plans Division Lieutenant General Zubair Mahmood Hayat.

He expressed full confidence over operational preparedness of the strategic forces, including employment and deployment concepts, refinement and training of all ranks in operational and technical domains. Endi