Hatf-VIII (Ra'ad)


The Ra'ad is an air-launched cruise missile under development by Pakistan. The missile was first tested in August 2007.

Development and design

Ra'ad is developed by Pakistan's Air Weapons Complex and NESCOM. The missile's latest version has a range of 600 km. The missile uses stealth technology, has a range of 350 km and is designed to carry conventional or nuclear warheads. As per media reports, the missile has features including low-altitude, terrain hugging missile with high maneuverability. The missile would probably be tasked for precision attacks on high value targets including command centres, radars, surface-to-air missile launchers, ballistic missile launchers and stationary warships.

Operational history

The first test of the missile was conducted on 25 August 2007. A second test was conducted on 8 May 2008, when it was fired from a Dassault Mirage III ROSE fighter of the Pakistan Air Force. A third test was carried out on 29 April 2011 from a Dassault Mirage fighter. The fourth test was carried out on 30 May 2012. A fifth test of the missile was carried out on 2 Feb 2015. A seventh test was carried out on 19 January 2016.
Though initial tests have been conducted from a PAF Dassault Mirage III ROSE combat aircraft there is potential to integrate this missile with other platforms such as the JF-17 aircraft.

Mark II

A Mark II version of the missile was revealed on Pakistan parade day in 2017, with increased range of 600 km.