Why in news?
In early January 2026 Pakistan’s Air Force test‑fired the indigenously developed Taimoor air‑launched cruise missile from a Mirage IIIE jet. Official statements emphasised that the missile can strike land and sea targets up to 600 km away with high precision and flies at very low altitudes to evade enemy defences. Observers see the test as part of Pakistan’s efforts to enhance its conventional deterrence capability.
Background
Cruise missiles are unmanned, self‑propelled weapons that remain within the Earth’s atmosphere. They are propelled by jet engines, much like small aircraft, and can be launched from the ground, sea or air. Once launched they travel at low altitude and use onboard guidance systems to follow a pre‑programmed route toward their target. Because of their low flight path and sophisticated guidance, cruise missiles are hard to detect and intercept compared with ballistic missiles.
About the Taimoor missile
- Type and propulsion: Taimoor is an air‑launched cruise missile powered by a subsonic turbojet engine, allowing long‑range efficiency while keeping the speed below the speed of sound.
- Range and payload: The missile can engage targets at distances up to roughly 600 kilometres. It carries a conventional warhead designed for precision strikes against enemy infrastructure and naval vessels.
- Design features: A box‑shaped fuselage, X‑shaped tail and foldable wings contribute to aerodynamic stability and help reduce the radar cross‑section. The missile is designed to fly at very low altitudes, which makes detection and interception more difficult.
- Guidance: Taimoor relies on a multi‑channel navigation system combining inertial guidance, satellite‑based positioning, terrain comparison and imaging infrared seekers. This combination allows the missile to adjust its route autonomously and strike targets with high accuracy.
Significance
Pakistan has been developing the Taimoor missile as part of its indigenous Ra’ad family of air‑launched cruise missiles. By successfully demonstrating long‑range precision strike capability from aircraft, the country aims to bolster its conventional deterrence posture following regional tensions. Low‑flying, guided missiles like Taimoor are also harder to detect than ballistic missiles, giving them a strategic advantage in modern warfare.
Sources: The Hindu
