| Ra'ad-II | |
| Type: | ALCM[1] [2] [3] [4] |
| Is Ranged: | yes |
| Is Bladed: | no |
| Is Explosive: | yes |
| Is Artillery: | yes |
| Is Vehicle: | yes |
| Is Missile: | yes |
| Is Uk: | no |
| Service: | 2020–Present |
| Used By: | |
| Designer: | National Engineering & Scientific Commission Air Weapons Complex |
| Design Date: | 2007–2019 |
| Manufacturer: | Air Weapons Complex |
| Spec Label: | Technical data |
| Mass: | ≤ |
| Filling: | ICM/HE/NE |
| Yield: | 5ktonTNT—12ktonTNT[5] |
| Engine: | Turbofan |
| Payload Capacity: | ≤ |
| Speed: | ≤0.8 Mach. |
| Guidance: | Inertial, Terminal |
| Altitude: | Terrain-following |
| Accuracy: | CEP[6] |
| Launch Platform: | F-17A/B, Mirage-IIIR, Mirage-VR |
| Transport: | Combat aircraft |
The Ra'ad-II (Urdu: رعد-۲,"Thunder-2") is a standoff and an air-launched cruise missile (ALCM) derived from the Hatf-VIII Ra'ad.[1] [2] [3] [4] It was first publicly unveiled on the Pakistan Day Parade on 23 March 2017,[7]
The Ra'ad features extended range, changes in its control mechanism, its guidance and enhanced flight control systems.[7]
On 18 February 2020, Ra'ad-II was test-fired from the Pakistan Air Force's Mirage-IIIR platform.[1] [2] [4] The test was overseen by Ra'ad-II program manager, the Strategic Plans Division, developing contractor, NESCOM, and the Pakistan Air Force and Army's Strategic Commands.[1] [8] [9]
According to the ISPR, it significantly enhanced Pakistan's air delivered strategic standoff capability on land and at sea.[1] [2] [4]
Data provided by the Inter-Services Public Relations, the Ra'ad-II has an extended range of and has a conventional tail fin configuration compared to the twin tail configuration of the previous version.[1] [2] [4]
It has a new "X" type tail as opposed to previous versions large horizontal tails.[4] It has a length of, and is much lighter than the previous weapon system.[10] Design and control surfaces changes to Ra'ad-II allows to integrate with the JF-17 Thunder platform— the PAF's primary strike platform.[10]
Both Hatf-VIII Ra'ad and Ra'ad-II are seen as providing Pakistan the aerial nuclear deterrence against the much larger Indian Air Force and their air defenses in an event of large scale conventional war.[11]
In a view of one former PAF's former fighter pilot, Ra'ad "treetop-hugging [<nowiki/>[[Air-launched cruise missile|ALCM]]] with its minuscule radar cross-section should be a good antidote to the Indian acquired of S-400 Triumf."[12] While the Islamabad-based Center for International Strategic Studies (CISS) analyst maintained that the Ra’ad-II is "Pakistan's response to Indian development of the Nirbhay cruise missile."[12]