(DEFENCE SECURITY ASIA) – Unveiled in 2022, the “Taimur” (Taimoor) air-launched cruise missile (ALCM) is a stealthy, subsonic missile designed to strike surface targets.
The missile was developed by Pakistan’s state-owned defense company, Global Industrial & Defence Solutions (GIDS), and it competes with other ALCMs on the market, such as the MBDA’s Storm Shadow/SCALP and ROKETSAN’s SOM.
The “Taimur” is an export variant of the RAAD-II ALCM, capable of carrying nuclear warheads and striking surface targets at a range of 600km.
It can engage surface targets, including warships, from a stand-off distance of up to 290km.
Equipped with an Imaging Infrared Seeker for high-precision targeting, the “Taimur” also boasts “terrain-hugging” and “sea-skimming” capabilities, allowing it to fly at low altitudes before striking its target.
Operating at low altitudes, the “Taimur” remains stealthy and stable during its subsonic flight.
Specifications of the “Taimur” ALCM include:
– Range: 290 km
– Warhead Type: Blast Fragmentation
– Navigation System: INS / GNSS
– Length: 4.38 meters
– Weight: 1100 kg
– Wingspan: 3.2 meters
The “Taimur” missile’s guidance system employs both Inertial Guidance System (INS) and Global Navigation Satellite System (GNSS), enhancing its low observability and enabling it to penetrate air defense networks while avoiding interception.
Designed with a modular concept, the “Taimur” is the third variant of the RAAD ALCM, allowing for continuous upgrades to maintain its relevance and effectiveness on the battlefield.
Pakistan’s RAAD air-launched cruise missile is powered by a turbojet engine and has a range of 600km.
The latest RAAD II variant significantly enhances Pakistan’s stand-off capabilities against sea and land targets when launched from the air.
Reports indicate that Pakistan has equipped its JF-17 “Thunder” fighter jets, developed in collaboration with China, to carry the RAAD ALCM, which can be fitted with nuclear warheads.
A study by the Federation of American Scientists (FAS) concluded this based on images released by the Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR) and video footage from the 2023 Pakistan Day parade, showing the fighter jet carrying RAAD I/II ALCMs.
Using photo analysis techniques, the American NGO noted that the length of the cruise missile developed by Pakistan matches the length of the ground-launched cruise missile carried by a truck during the parade.
Consequently, FAS’s initial conclusion is that Pakistan has likely integrated the RAAD ALCM, capable of carrying nuclear warheads, with the JF-17 fighter jets co-developed with China.
This also suggests that Pakistan may be planning to retire the Mirage III/IV fighter jets, which were previously tasked with carrying and launching nuclear-capable missiles. — DSA