Global Industrial Defence Solutions (GIDS) unveiled the Rasoob 250 air-launched cruise missile (ALCM) at the 2024 International Defence Exhibition and Seminar (IDEAS 2024).
The Rasoob 250 is the third ALCM developed by Pakistan, following the Ra’ad-I/II and the Taimoor, both created by the Air Weapons Complex (AWC), a subsidiary of NESCOM. It is likely that the Rasoob 250 was also developed by AWC, drawing on the technology used in previous missiles.
The missile is designed with an emphasis on low observability, featuring a more angular airframe and compact size. These characteristics help reduce its radar cross-section (RCS), making it stealthier compared to its predecessors.
Although the exact dimensions are undisclosed, the Rasoob 250 weighs 285 kg (with booster) and has a range of 350 km. It is similar in size and weight to the Turkish Roketsan Çakır, which weighs 275 kg.
The Rasoob 250 can be launched from slower, lighter aircraft such as the Shahpar-III UAV, Sea King helicopters, and the RAS-72 Sea Eagle maritime patrol aircraft, unlike the Ra’ad and Taimoor missiles, which are fired from fast-jet aircraft.
The missile carries a 75 kg semi-armour-piercing warhead and has an accuracy of under 5 meters. It prioritizes precision over explosive yield, reducing reliance on large warheads. This shift towards accuracy is part of a broader trend in Pakistan’s missile development, with a focus on smaller, more precise munitions.