Pakistan’s army says it successfully test-fires a long-range surface-to-surface missile

ISLAMABAD (AP) — Pakistan’s army said Tuesday it successfully test-fired a long-range cruise missile that is aimed at strengthening the country’s conventional missile arsenal.

The Fatah-4 surface-to-surface missile has a range of 750 kilometers (470 miles) and is equipped with advanced avionics and modern navigation systems, the military said in a statement. It did not specify where the missile was fired.

The military described the weapon as capable of evading enemy air defenses through terrain-hugging flight and striking targets with high precision. It said the missile will “enhance the reach, lethality and survivability” of its conventional missile systems.

Pakistan’s military often test-fires home-developed cruise missiles and weapons in an effort to showcase its ability to counter any threat from neighboring India.

The two South Asian nuclear-armed rivals have fought three wars against each other since they gained independence from British colonial rule in 1947, and they often conduct test-launches of revised versions of their missiles.