Pak 'successfully' tests nuclear enabled cruise missile Ra'ad

Pakistan has reportedly carried out a "successful flight test" of the indigenously developed Air Launched Cruise Missile (ALCM) "Ra'ad", the Inter Services Public Relations (ISPR) said.

While congratulating the scientists and engineers on attaining yet another milestone of historic importance, Director General Strategic Plans Division, Lieutenant General Zubair Mahmood Hayat, termed it a significant step towards bolstering Pakistan's full spectrum credible minimum deterrence capability. He added that Pakistan's strategic pursuits are aimed at "achieving strategic stability in the region," reported the Dawn.

With a range of 350 km, the missile will enable Pakistan to achieve "strategic standoff capability" on land and at sea.

The "Cruise Technology" is complex and has been developed by just a few nations worldwide. The missile with stealth capabilities is "a low altitude, terrain hugging missile" that comes with high maneuverability and can deliver nuclear and conventional warheads with absolute accuracy.

Hayat expressed full confidence over operational preparedness of Pakistan's strategic forces including employment and deployment concepts, refinement and training of all ranks in operational and technical domains.

Lauding the successful launch, President Mamnoon Hussain and Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif congratulated the scientists and engineers on their "outstanding achievement.