Why Pakistan Tested an Extended Range Version of the Fatah-IV

Pakistan tested an extended-range version of its Fatah-IV ground-launched cruise missile on October 6, 2026, marking the system's third reported launch after a previous test in May. The article reports a range exceeding the earlier missile's stated 750 kilometres and suggests around 1,000 kilometres from imagery, an estimate by the authors rather than a confirmed official maximum. The authors link the extended-range development to India's planned use of longer-range stand-off weapons and the potential relocation of Indian combat aircraft to rear bases. They argue that the variant could expand Pakistan's conventional deterrent by threatening more distant military targets, while terrain-hugging flight would help it contend with India's expanding air-defence network.