Pakistan flexes missile muscle with Abdali and Fatah: How big is the threat and what India has in store

File photo of Pakistani-made missiles loaded on a trailers roll down during a military parade to mark Pakistan National Day, in Islamabad.

As tensions between India and Pakistan escalate following the deadly Pahalgam terror attack, Islamabad has upped the ante by showcasing its missile capabilities. In a move widely seen as strategic posturing amid rising border hostilities and growing international scrutiny, Pakistan tested two of its key missile systems — the Abdali Weapon System and the Fatah-II. These back-to-back tests come at a time when India is tightening economic and diplomatic screws on Pakistan, heightening the threat of a wider confrontation.

While Pakistan claims these tests are routine and purely defensive, the timing, messaging, and choice of weapon systems suggest otherwise. The Abdali is a short-range ballistic missile with nuclear capability, and the Fatah-II is a newer, highly accurate surface-to-surface missile designed to evade missile defense shields. Together, they signal Islamabad’s intention to rattle New Delhi and project deterrence. But India is not without options. With its acquisition of the S-400 air defense system from Russia and its own growing arsenal of indigenous missiles like Agni, Prithvi, and Pinaka, India has both the capability and strategy to counter such threats.

Let’s understand how powerful are these two weapons test-fired by Pakistan and whether India can really counter them.

Fatah-II Missile

Pakistan on Monday said it conducted a successful training launch of the 'Fatah series' surface-to-surface missile with a range of 120 kilometres. The Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR), the media wing of the Pakistani army, said in a statement that a “Fatah Series” was tested as a part of the ongoing exercise “INDUS”.

The training launch was witnessed by senior officers of the Pakistan Army, as well as officers, scientists and engineers from Pakistan’s strategic organisations.

The Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Committee and the Chief of Army Staff congratulated the participating troops, scientists, and engineers. They expressed complete confidence in the operational preparedness and technical proficiency of the Pakistan Army to thwart any aggression against the country's territorial integrity.

Amid the strained ties following the April 22 attack, Pakistan has claimed that India would carry out a military incursion “very soon”.

The Fatah series is relatively new in Pakistan’s missile inventory and is likely a domestic upgrade of Chinese or North Korean rocket artillery systems, possibly inspired by the WS-2/3 or KN-09 MLRS models.

Pakistan reportedly tested its Fatah-II guided short-range ballistic missile last year. According to The Diplomat, this advanced version of the 150 km-range Fatah-I boasts a 400 km range and can strike targets with high accuracy (circular error probe < 10m), including mobile systems like the S-400.

Experts believe that Islamabad developed Fatah-II to counter Russian-made S-400 Triumf air defence system owned by India.

According to Jane's Defence Weekly, citing ISPR, the 7.5 m long Fatah-II rocket can carry a 365 kg warhead and boasts a navigation system, unique trajectory, and maneuverable features. These enhancements reportedly enable it to strike targets with high precision and overcome missile defense systems.

The system is portrayed as a tactical precision-strike solution that can target military concentrations or staging points near the border. However, these are still short-range systems, and their limited reach means they are more useful in a conflict scenario restricted to border zones.

Abdali Weapon System

Last week, Pakistan announced that it has conducted a successful training launch of the Abdali Weapon System — a surface-to-surface missile with a range of 450 km.

“The launch was aimed at ensuring the operational readiness of troops and validating key technical parameters, including the missile’s advanced navigation system and enhanced manoeuvrability features,” the army said in a statement.

The Indian Express, in its report, quoted an official in New Delhi saying that the ballistic missile testing was a “reckless act of provocation and a dangerous escalation by Pakistan in its hostile campaign against India.”

The Abdali Weapon System is based on the Hatf-II Abdali missile — a short-range ballistic missile (SRBM) developed by Pakistan. Named after 18th-century Afghan ruler Ahmad Shah Abdali, the missile is capable of carrying both conventional and nuclear warheads.

The Abdali is designed for tactical battlefield use. Pakistan has floated its utility as a ‘quick strike’ option in border conflicts, aimed at conventional formations or logistics hubs.

How does India counter them?

India’s layered defence architecture significantly outclasses Pakistan’s short-range missile tests. It combines advanced early-warning systems, interceptor missiles, and long-range deterrents.

Ballistic Missile Defence (BMD): India has developed a two-tier indigenous BMD system comprising PAD (Prithvi Air Defence) that intercepts missiles outside the atmosphere and AAD (Advanced Air Defence) that destroys missiles within the atmosphere.

These interceptors are designed to track and eliminate incoming short- and medium-range ballistic missiles, such as the Abdali.

S-400 Triumf: One of the most formidable additions to India’s missile shield is the Russian-built S-400 Triumf air defence system. India has already inducted two regiments and is set to receive more.

It has a range of up to 400 km against aerial threats, including missiles, aircraft and drones. The system can track over 100 targets simultaneously and engage targets flying at Mach 14.

The S-400 significantly bolsters India’s ability to detect and shoot down tactical missiles like the Fatah and Abdali at early stages, and protect high-value military assets, cities, and nuclear infrastructure.

Surface-to-Surface Superiority: India’s strike capability is extensive and far-reaching:

• Prahaar & Pralay: Quick launch, high-precision short-range missiles
• Pinaka Mk-2 MLRS: 90–120 km range, ideal for retaliatory salvos
• Prithvi-II: Proven ballistic system with superior accuracy