‘Weak, Show Of Strength For Citizens': Pakistan's FATAH Missile Claims Exposed
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Pakistan Army's missile posturing was exposed by sources who said that the FATAH missiles can be intercepted using Samyukta EW systems and S-400.
Pakistan Army, which boasted 'a successful training launch of a FATAH Series surface-to-surface missile" on Monday, is misleading its citizens by claiming that it is one of the strongest missiles their military industrial complex has made.
Government sources speaking to CNN-News18 said that the FATAH missile is a 'weak missile". 'Pakistan launches another weak missile and misleads the world and misleads its own people," the sources said.
They also said that the Pakistan Army is trying to project strength in front of its citizens.
'(Pakistan Army Chief Asim) Munir seeks to project military strength to reassure the public as Pakistan grapples with economic turmoil and political uncertainty," they said.
'But focusing too much on conventional deterrence could take resources away from dealing with internal security issues, especially as groups like the TTP regain strength in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa," they further added.
The sources said that the testing of the missile during Exercise Indus only serves few strategic objectives. They said that the test was done to check the missile's advanced navigation system and precision, while ensuring its troops are prepared.
They also said that its range is 120 kilometres, which restricts its utility to short-range engagements and that its navigational system could be susceptible to jamming or spoofing. They also said that India's S-400 air defense systems, purchased from Russia and deployed along the border, could intercept such missiles and reduce their impact on the battlefield.
'The missile's GPS and INS guidance system may be open to electronic warfare tactics, such as jamming or spoofing by India's Samyukta EW systems," the sources said, adding that because it lacks MaRV technology it is also not manoeuvrable and hence easier to track and intercept.
They also said that supply chain issues could completely 'damage" production, if sanctions are imposed on China.
'Pakistan's missile program depends on Chinese components like rocket engines, guidance systems. Sanctions or supply-chain disruptions could completely damage production," they said.
They also said that the missiles could end up hurting Pakistan economically, domestically and on the global stage.
'Repeated missile tests may draw criticism from FATF or the US, complicating Pakistan's efforts to exit global watchlists or secure IMF bailouts. Developing and maintaining such systems strains Pakistan's economy where inflation is 38% and debt-to-GDP ratio is 85%," the sources said.
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