Pakistan conducts successful test of GMLRS Fatah-1

Islamabad: Pakistan successfully conducted the test launch of indigenously developed Guided Multiple Launch Rocket System (GMLRS) Fatah-1 on Tuesday, the army said.

The Fatah-1 rocket system is “capable of delivering a conventional warhead” up to a range of 140 kilometres. “The weapon system will give Pakistan Army capability of precision target engagement deep in enemy territory” the Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR) said.

Pakistan’s president, prime minister, chairman joint chiefs of staff committee and chief of army staff congratulated the participating troops and scientists on successfully conducting the test launch.

The weapon system is rapidly deployable and is designed specifically to destroy high-priority targets deep in enemy territory up to 140 km away with high precision.

The first flight test for the GMLRS took place in January 2021 when it successfully reached 140-kilometer during the demonstration.

Detailing the advantages of GMLRS for Pakistan, Dr Maria Sultan, director general of Islamabad-based South Asian Strategic Stability Institute (SASSI) said that the “smarter precision guided system will primarily help bridge Pakistan’s conventional deterrence gap with India deterring war between the two countries.” It also provides Pakistan military the capability to halt imminent precision attacks. “The highly mobile multiple launch rocket system offers Pakistan a smart and cost-effective solution for a challenging situation” Dr Sultan told Gulf News.