The FAAZ (Fa’az) series are two beyond-visual-range air-to-air missile (BVRAAM) programs developed by the Air Weapons Complex (AWC), a bureau of Pakistan’s National Engineering and Scientific Commission (NESCOM). Global Industrial and Defence Solutions (GIDS), a state-owned enterprise (SOE) representing NESCOM, is marketing the FAAZ-1 and FAAZ-2 for export.
The FAAZ-1 and FAAZ-2 are being developed to support the long-term requirements of the Pakistan Air Force (PAF), especially as it embarks on locally sourcing its munitions, including air-launched cruise missiles (ALCM) – such as AWC’s own Ra’ad and Taimur – precision-guided bombs (PGB), and laser-guided bombs (LGB).
Go deeper into the defence market.
Research on procurement, emerging technology and the industry behind the news.
On 3 November 2026, the PAF announced a successful flight test of the FAAZ air-to-air missile (AAM), firing it in its imaging infrared (IIR) configuration from a JF-17 Thunder.
GIDS FAAZ Design Background
Currently, there are two overarching variants of the FAAZ being developed: FAAZ-1 and FAAZ-2.
Under the FAAZ-1 program, there are two sub-variants: the FAAZ-RF, which uses an active radar homing (ARH) seeker, and the FAAZ-IIR, which uses an IIR seeker. GIDS unveiled both at the International Defence Industry Fair (IDEF), held in Istanbul, Türkiye, from 25 to 28 July 2023. GIDS Chief Executive Officer (CEO) Asad Kamal told Defense News that the missiles on display were mockups.
According to AWC’s official specifications, the FAAZ-RF has a range of over 100 km and a maximum speed above Mach 3.5, while the FAAZ-IIR has a range of over 75 km and a maximum speed above Mach 3.2. Both use a dual-thrust rocket motor, data-link mid-course guidance, an active laser proximity/impact fuze and a blast-fragmentation warhead. The FAAZ-IIR’s seeker reportedly has a detection range of up to 40-45 km, while GIDS gives the FAAZ-RF’s seeker a detection range of 25 km.
In 2023, GIDS revealed that an improved version called the ‘FAAZ-2’ was also under development. This new AAM would offer a range of 180 km and, like the FAAZ-1, offer two-seeker options: ARH and IIR.
The FAAZ-2 will use a dual-pulse rocket motor and offer a maximum speed of Mach 3.5. GIDS did not reveal when the FAAZ-2 will be tested.
GIDS FAAZ Testing and Integration
On 3 November 2026, the PAF’s Directorate General of Public Relations (DGPR) announced a successful flight test of the FAAZ, describing it as Pakistan’s first indigenously developed AAM. A DGPR video showed a PAF JF-17 Block-1 (serial 09-109) firing the FAAZ-IIR from an underwing pylon.
The test came just over three years after GIDS displayed the FAAZ-IIR as a mockup at IDEF 2023. The DGPR said the FAAZ will enhance the PAF’s operational flexibility, which indicates that the PAF intends to induct the missile. For Quwa’s analysis of the test, see Pakistan Tests Indigenous Fa’az Air-to-Air Missile from JF-17 Thunder.
GIDS FAAZ Specifications
FAAZ-1 (FAAZ-RF and FAAZ-IIR) Specifications
- Maximum Range: Over 100 km (FAAZ-RF) / Over 75 km (FAAZ-IIR)
- Maximum Speed: Above Mach 3.5 (FAAZ-RF) / Above Mach 3.2 (FAAZ-IIR)
- Length: 3,950 mm
- Body Diameter: 203 ±1 mm
- Weight: 205 ±5 kg
- Propulsion: Dual-thrust rocket motor
- Mid-Course Guidance: Data-link
- Terminal Guidance: Active radar homing (FAAZ-RF) or imaging infrared (FAAZ-IIR)
- Seeker Detection Range: 25 km (FAAZ-RF) / Up to 40-45 km (FAAZ-IIR)
- Fuze: Active laser proximity / impact
- Warhead: Blast fragmentation
- Tested From: PAF JF-17 Block-1 (FAAZ-IIR, 3 November 2026)
FAAZ-2 Specifications
- Maximum Range: 180 km
- Propulsion: Dual-pulse rocket motor
- Guidance: Optionally ARH or IIR
- Maximum Speed: Mach 3.5
- Weight: TBC
- Length: TBC
FAAZ vs. SD-10A
The FAAZ-1 bears external similarities to the Chinese SD-10A, the PAF’s mainstay BVRAAM on the JF-17. Both use a cruciform set of long-chord, low-aspect mid-body wings and a cruciform set of tail control fins, and the two missiles share a 203 mm body diameter. AWC’s specifications for the FAAZ-1 and those of the China National Aero-Technology Import & Export Corporation (CATIC) for the SD-10A compare as follows.
| Specification | FAAZ-1 (AWC) | SD-10A (CATIC) |
|---|---|---|
| Developer / marketer | AWC (NESCOM), marketed by GIDS | CATIC (export) |
| Length | 3,950 mm | 3,934 mm |
| Body diameter | 203 ±1 mm | 203 mm |
| Wing span | Not disclosed | 670 mm |
| Weight | 205 ±5 kg | 199 kg |
| Propulsion | Dual-thrust rocket motor | Solid rocket |
| Mid-course guidance | Data-link | Inertial navigation plus data-link |
| Terminal guidance | Active radar (FAAZ-RF) or imaging infrared (FAAZ-IIR) | Active radar |
| Fuze | Active laser proximity / impact | Radio proximity |
| Warhead | Blast fragmentation | Discrete rod |
| Maximum range | Over 100 km (RF) / over 75 km (IIR) | 70 km |
| Maximum speed | Above Mach 3.5 (RF) / above Mach 3.2 (IIR) | Above Mach 5 |
| Operational altitude | Not disclosed | 0 to 21 km |
| Maximum overload | Not disclosed | 38g |
Physically, the two missiles are nearly identical in size, with the FAAZ 16 mm longer and about 6 kg heavier. However, their fuzes, warheads and seeker options differ, and the FAAZ claims a longer range but a lower top speed than the SD-10A.
Quwa assesses that, while AWC may have drawn on the SD-10A’s external design, the FAAZ’s internals are different, with AWC having developed the critical inputs – e.g., the rocket motor, guidance system and seekers – itself. The FAAZ’s heavier weight and lower top speed point to those different internals, and Defence Uncut co-host Arslan Khan has also identified a different solid fuel composition from the SD-10A’s. AWC also took years to develop the FAAZ, whereas a licence-built SD-10A would have reached the market much sooner.
GIDS has said that the FAAZ is locally developed and that it owns the intellectual property (IP) rights to the design. The FAAZ’s modular seeker approach is also not seen in any of the current AAMs of the Aviation Industry Corporation of China (AVIC).
Key Capabilities of the FAAZ-IIR/FAAZ-RF/FAAZ-2
Dual-Seeker Options (ARH and IIR)
The FAAZ’s IIR configuration is uncommon for a missile of its range: the only other IIR-guided AAM in this class is the MBDA MICA, which is likewise offered with either an IIR or an ARH seeker. Most other long-range AAMs rely on ARH alone.
In either configuration, the FAAZ flies its mid-course phase on data-link updates from the launch aircraft’s radar. Near the target, an ARH seeker switches on and acts as a miniature radar to find, track and engage it, whereas an IIR seeker locks on to the target’s thermal signature.
Because an IIR seeker is passive, it does not emit radar energy that a target’s radar-warning receiver (RWR) can detect. It also builds an ‘image’ of the target from its heat emissions and tracks that heat map rather than the hottest point in its view. This makes it far harder to decoy with flares than a conventional infrared seeker, such as that of early Stinger missiles.
Domestic Rocket Motor Development
With GIDS marketing both FAAZ-series for export, AWC is evidently investing in an indigenous rocket motor stack. AWC lists a dual-thrust rocket motor for the FAAZ-1, while the FAAZ-2 will use a dual-pulse rocket motor.
Without a domestic rocket motor stack, Pakistan would not be able to market or export these missiles with any serious level of commitment. AAMs with imported key inputs would, ultimately, be subject to third-party or external-party pressures, which could limit their commercial viability.
Moreover, with a parallel focus on surface-to-air missile (SAM) development, Pakistan can scale its rocket motor investment across multiple applications. For example, the 100 km-range LoMADS SAM likely uses the same dual-pulse rocket motor stack as the FAAZ-2, at least at some level. In turn, each main application (e.g., AAM and SAM) could drive large production orders, therefore distributing the research and development overhead and, subsequently, controlling unit costs.
Long-Range Targeting and Engagement
With the stated range of the FAAZ-RF and FAAZ-2 being over 100 km and 180 km, respectively, it appears that the PAF wants credible long-range air-to-air reach. Currently, the PAF’s longest-ranged operational AAM is the PL-15E, which is deployed from the J-10CE and, potentially, JF-17C Block-3.
The PL-15E has a maximum range of 145 km. On paper, the FAAZ-2 would exceed this range by a significant margin.
Usable as Surface-to-Air Missiles (SAM)
AWC is also configuring the FAAZ as a SAM, the FAAZ-SL, which it designates as an enhanced short-range air defence (E-SHORAD) system. AWC lists its range as up to 35 km and its altitude reach as 12 km against aircraft, unmanned aerial vehicles (UAV) and helicopters, covering the PAF’s short-to-medium-range air defence layer.
According to AWC, the jeep- or truck-mounted E-SHORAD system includes a surveillance and tracking radar, a passive electro-optical/infrared (EO/IR) detector and a command-and-control (C2) vehicle. It is integrated with Pakistan’s national defence network and can work with any suitable radar already in use.
The PAF could therefore slot the FAAZ-SL alongside the Spada 2000 Plus, its current SAM in this layer, against low-flying aircraft and, especially, cruise missiles, potentially using the Spada’s radar and C2 systems. If Pakistan intends to develop critical inputs like the rocket motor, then it makes sense for it to scale the use of that technology across as many applications as possible, from AAMs to SAMs.
