Pakistan Should Get a Light Anti-Ship/Cruise Missile

[Desertfalcon]

Sir Ra'ad design and specifications quite similar to SOM....

Hatf-VIII (Ra'ad) - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Yes, I had looked it up.

 

[Pindi Boy]

I had actually never heard of Ra'ad. It looks good!

 

[Desertfalcon]

For anti-ship use, that 1,000lbs warhead would definitely do the trick!

 

[Pindi Boy]

For anti-ship use, that 1,000lbs warhead would definitely do the trick!

But Don't know whether it can hit moving targets or not

 

[Desertfalcon]

But Don't know whether it can hit moving targets or not

Well, PAF says it can be used in an anti-ship capacity so I am just assuming it can.

 

[Tipu7]

Analysis: Pakistan Should Get a Light Anti-Ship/Cruise Missile

Analysis: Pakistan Should Get a Light Anti-Ship/Cruise Missile
The Kongsberg Naval Strike Missile (NSM) ought to be inspiration for a new AShM/ALCM

02 March 2016

By Bilal Khan

The inclusion of the C-802A anti-ship missile (AShM) and Ra’ad air-launched cruise missile (ALCM) has given the JF-17 Thunder credible air-to-surface strike capabilities, especially at stand-off range (i.e. outside of the range of an enemy’s defensive or return-fire). However, while these missiles offer key benefits in certain respects, the Pakistan Air Force (PAF) could gain from the added inclusion of a lighter ALCM that could double as an AShM, especially from a tactical standpoint.

There is nothing inherently wrong with either missile, especially when takes into account their respective design aims: The C-802A is a capable and versatile AShM that could be deployed from various launch platforms, such as aircraft, surface ships, and launchers on land. It has a range of 180km. The Ra’ad ALCM is a long-range (350km) munition capable of carrying either a conventional high explosive warhead or miniaturized nuclear warhead, and thus, is a core piece of the PAF’s offensive strategy.

However, the C-802A and Ra’ad are heavyweight missiles. While the JF-17 can deploy them, the fighter’s stand-off strike potential may be better realized through the provision of a lightweight cruise missile. For one thing, such a missile could be developed from the ground-up to be used by the JF-17, which in turn could potentially carry at least two (if not more) on its external hardpoints. A good example of this approach is the Naval Strike Missile being developed by the Norwegian company Kongsberg.

The Kongsberg Naval Strike Missile (NSM) is a new-generation anti-ship capable cruise missile capable of reaching a range in-excess of 200km. In addition to being lightweight (407kg versus the C-802A’s 715kg), the NSM has a low observable (LO) and composite-heavy design, which is coupled with a 125kg high-explosive (HE) fragmentation warhead. The NSM is also the basis for the longer range (280km) Joint Strike Missile (JSM), which will be used on the F-35 Lightning II.

While the value may not be recognizable at first, a lightweight design can enable the PAF to use the JF-17 in the stand-off strike profile more flexibly. For example, a single fighter could carry a higher number of these new ALCMs than it could Ra’ad and C-802, which would enable a single fighter to engage a wider set of targets. In turn, this will enable the PAF to draw more utility from a single sortie. If looked at another way, this single missile design could fulfill the JF-17’s tactical stand-off strike needs over land and at sea.

Pakistan does not need to emulate the entirety of the NSM or JSM programs (such as compatibility for vertical-launch), but key aspects, such as the missile’s weight, range, warhead capacity and low observable design ought to be considered. The necessary capacity to develop an NSM-like system (with emphasis on the weight) are available from numerous vendors, most notably China and South Africa. Cost may be a obstacle, but a narrow focus on being an air-launched missile could mitigate that risk. It will also afford flexibility in the design, especially from the angle of being low observable.

Domestic utility aside, an earlier article on Quwa even noted that such a missile (especially if produced and marketed by Pakistan) could even bolster the JF-17’s market prospects. Pakistan Aeronautical Complex (PAC) would basically have an exportable cruise missile design (for targets on land and at sea). The relatively light warhead and limited range (<200km) would keep the missile well within the range of international trade and compliance laws. It would also be entirely separate from the Ra’ad program, which has strategic value specific to Pakistan. An emphasis on exportability may also entice a potential design and development partner to assist with funding.

It should be noted that this idea is not indispensable to the JF-17 program’s long-term success. The fighter is already equipped with anti-ship capability. However, a lightweight anti-ship cruise missile offers specific advantages, especially in light of the JF-17’s limited payload capacity. Moreover, the cruise missile could even be integrated onto other platforms, such as helicopters, maritime patrol aircraft and even surface ships. While not a necessity, it is definitely worth considering, if not in terms of the JF-17, then perhaps in terms of gradually decreasing dependence on imports.

@Horus @Tank131

Actually, Jf17 can carry two C802 or RAAD missiles...... issue is, it drastically reduce the range of aircraft. However with the use of IFR you can overcome this short coming......

 

[Tank131]

1. Ra'ad in its curren form isnt exportable d/t range and payload if pakistan wants to adhere to MTCR (which it is not a member of)

2. A smaller multi-purpose strike missile in the image of NSM would only be justifiable if it becomes the standard operating AShM across the Pakistani Military (i.e. used by Navy from Frigates and Subs as well as PAF) though it could be supplemented by other weapons in special missions (i.e. CM-400AKG in attacking high value ships), otherwise I would think it would be less expensive to buy off the shelf an request ToT for something like C-802AKG which has a long range (280km) and could, as Pakistan did with Harpoon, be modified for land attack. Granted its heavier than something like NSM, but a lighter (more composite) JF-17 with a better engine and Arial Refueling would overcome that weight.

3. There are a number of areas where Pakistan should work with other nations (specifically China, Turkey, and South Africa) in munitions development. Specifically A2A and Stand off A2G (including AshM). Between AWC and Denel, I am sure they could develop something like NSM with the range of JSM (joint strike)-->250km range.

 

[Mutakalim]

2. A smaller multi-purpose strike missile in the image of NSM would only be justifiable if it becomes the standard operating AShM across the Pakistani Military (i.e. used by Navy from Frigates and Subs as well as PAF) though it could be supplemented by other weapons in special missions (i.e. CM-400AKG in attacking high value ships), otherwise I would think it would be less expensive to buy off the shelf an request ToT for something like C-802AKG which has a long range (280km) and could, as Pakistan did with Harpoon, be modified for land attack.

Interesting. I have read somewhere that Americans have investigated the Harpoon arsenal of Pakistan and found no evidence of modification.

 

[princefaisal]

No need for another missiles. Already have H2 and H4 as Asm and Exocest as Ashm.

 

[Kompromat]

SOM was developed based on RAAD, there is a smaller SOM variant also in the making. @Quwa @cabatli_53

 

[Quwa]

SOM was developed based on RAAD, there is a smaller SOM variant also in the making. @Quwa @cabatli_53

Smaller SOM (SOM-J) could be a contender. Alternatively, we can get Denel/Tubitak together with AWC and develop an NSM-like ALCM, design it around the JF-17 from the ground-up.

 

[MastanKhan]

Interesting. I have read somewhere that Americans have investigated the Harpoon arsenal of Pakistan and found no evidence of modification.

Hi,

That is correct----when the elected officials were trying to raise hue and cry about that---someone in the defence sector told them---pakistan's capabilities are way advanced that the Harpoon missile's range---.

The matter just fizzled out---the news media had their fun for a couple of days.

 

[randomradio]

Does Ra'ad have a good terminal guidance seeker or does it use a map correlator?

 

[Mutakalim]

Does Ra'ad have a good terminal guidance seeker or does it use a map correlator?

Multiple guidance methods.

 

[randomradio]

Multiple guidance methods.

Which ones?