By Staff Reporter
ISLAMABAD: The Pakistan Air Force has successfully tested an indigenously developed air-launched cruise missile called Taimoor, military officials said on Saturday, hailing the achievement as a major step toward bolstering the nation’s defence capabilities amid rising regional tensions.
The missile, which has a range of 600 kilometers and carries a conventional warhead, is designed to strike land and sea targets with high precision. Equipped with advanced navigation and guidance systems, it flies at very low altitudes to evade enemy air and missile defences, according to a statement from the Inter-Services Public Relations, the military’s media wing. “Its precision-strike capability significantly enhances the conventional deterrence and operational flexibility of PAF, further strengthening the country’s overall defence posture,” the statement said.
The test shows the growing technical maturity and self-reliance of Pakistan’s defence industry, the military added. Senior officers from the armed forces, along with scientists and engineers involved in the project, witnessed the launch.
The missile test comes several months after a brief but intense clash between Pakistan and India, in which the nuclear-armed rivals traded missile and artillery fire and mobilised drones and fighter jets. That episode heightened concerns about stability in South Asia, where both countries have invested heavily in modernising their arsenals.
Air Chief Marshal Zaheer Ahmed Baber Sidhu, the head of the Pakistan Air Force, congratulated the scientists, engineers and air force personnel on the accomplishment. He praised their professional excellence, dedication and unwavering commitment to fortifying Pakistan’s defenses. Such milestones, he said, are “a testament to the nation’s resolve to achieve technological self-sufficiency and maintain a credible conventional deterrent in the evolving regional security environment.” “The successful test of the Taimoor weapon system reflects Pakistan Air Force’s continued pursuit of operational readiness, technological superiority and national security objectives,” the air chief added.
President Asif Ali Zardari also commended the air force, describing the development of modern weapons domestically as “a clear reflection of national capability, resolve, and institutional expertise.” The success, he said, has “further strengthened national defence and bolstered Pakistan’s responsible defence policy for ensuring stability in the region.” Zardari praised the “hard work, dedication, and spirit of national service of scientists, engineers, and the officers and personnel of the PAF,” calling it a significant milestone in the country’s push for self-reliance in defence. He added that advancing technology in the sector demonstrates Pakistan’s commitment to protecting its security and sovereignty.
The announcement reflects Pakistan’s recent focus on military preparedness. On Dec. 15, the Pakistan Navy test-fired a surface-to-air missile in the northern Arabian Sea. Earlier, Gen. Asim Munir, the army chief, visited frontline garrisons in Gujranwala and Sialkot to oversee a field exercise involving tanks and drones. There, he emphasised the need for technological adaptability in modern warfare, stressing agility, precision, situational awareness and rapid decision-making.
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