A recently emerged photo has reignited discussions about Pakistan’s nuclear weapons program and its modernization efforts. The image depicts a JF-17 Thunder Block II aircraft carrying what appears to be a Ra’ad air-launched cruise missile (ALCM), potentially signifying a new chapter for Pakistan’s nuclear delivery capabilities.
Aldo Bidini (GFDL 1.2 or GFDL 1.2), via Wikimedia Commons
For decades, Pakistan’s aging Mirage III and Mirage V fighter jets have been believed to be the primary delivery system for the country’s nuclear arsenal. These jets are used to carry gravity bombs and have also been used for test launches of the Ra’ad air-launched cruise missile (ALCM).
Pakistan has been actively modernizing its military and has procured over 130 JF-17s, jointly developed with China. These jets are planned to replace the aging Mirage fleet. Reports have circulated for several years that Pakistan might integrate the Ra’ad ALCM with the JF-17s, allowing them to assume the nuclear strike role. The photographed JF-17 carrying the missile serves as the first public confirmation of this potential integration.
While the photo confirms the JF-17’s potential nuclear mission role, it raises questions about the specific missile carried. Pakistan possesses two variants of the Ra’ad ALCM: the Ra’ad-I and the extended-range Ra’ad-II.
Researchers at the Federation of American Scientists (FAS) meticulously analyzed the photo and compared it to images of both Ra’ad variants displayed in previous Pakistan Day Parades. Their analysis focused on the tail fin configuration, a key distinguishing feature.
The results suggest a closer match between the photographed missile and the Ra’ad-I’s “twin-tail” configuration, as opposed to the newer “x-shaped” tail of the Ra’ad-II. This, coupled with the unlikelihood of using an outdated Ra’ad-II in a modern test flight, strengthens the case for the Ra’ad-I being carried by the JF-17.
While the photo provides evidence of Pakistan’s potential nuclear modernization efforts, several questions remain unanswered. Firstly, it’s unclear whether Pakistan possesses a deployable version of the Ra’ad ALCM system for the JF-17, either the Ra’ad-I or the newer Ra’ad-II. Secondly, the future role of nuclear gravity bombs in Pakistan’s arsenal remains uncertain. Will they be completely replaced by stand-off cruise missiles?
These developments come amidst a concerning trend of regional nuclear arms race escalation. Both India and Pakistan are reportedly pursuing advanced missile technologies, including multiple independently targetable re-entry vehicles (MIRVs). Pakistan’s advancements with the Ra’ad ALCM and short-range nuclear missiles like the NASR further contribute to this tense environment.
For more information, hit the Source below