Pakistan tests Taimoor air-launched cruise missile

The Pakistan Air Force on January 3 conducted a successful flight test of the indigenously developed Taimoor Weapon System, confirming the missile’s performance during an air-launched trial, according to an official statement.

The service said the Taimoor Air-Launched Cruise Missile is designed to engage land and sea targets with precision at a range of up to 600 kilometers and carries a conventional warhead. The test validated the missile’s navigation and guidance systems and its ability to fly at very low altitudes, a profile intended to reduce exposure to hostile air and missile defense systems.

According to the statement, the flight test marked another step in Pakistan’s domestic aerospace development, demonstrating the maturity of local design and production capabilities. The Pakistan Air Force said the missile’s precision-strike role supports operational flexibility across a range of conventional missions.

The launch was witnessed by senior officers of the Pakistan Armed Forces, along with scientists and engineers involved in the program. Officials described the event as confirmation of progress achieved by Pakistan’s defense industry through indigenous development efforts.

Air Chief Marshal Zaheer Ahmed Baber Sidhu, Chief of the Air Staff, congratulated the scientists, engineers, and Pakistan Air Force personnel associated with the program, citing their professional performance and commitment to strengthening national defense capabilities. He reiterated that the test reflects Pakistan’s pursuit of technological self-sufficiency and a credible conventional deterrent.

The Taimoor missile is part of a broader class of air-launched cruise missiles designed to be deployed from combat aircraft, extending strike reach while allowing launch platforms to operate outside heavily defended areas. Low-altitude flight and integrated guidance are intended to support accuracy against both fixed and mobile targets without relying on nuclear payloads.

Pakistan has emphasized indigenous weapons development in recent years as part of efforts to maintain readiness and reduce reliance on external suppliers. Programs such as Taimoor are presented by the air force as supporting a range of conventional missions rather than altering declared strategic doctrines.