Fateh V

Fateh V (Arabic: فاتح الخامس) is a top secret biological weapon that forms an integral part of the Arab Union's arsenal of weapons of mass destruction, believed to be a gentically enhanced, semi-synthetic fungal spore which, upon inhalation, causes acute respiratory failure, typically causing death within minutes. The agent is also thought to wreak progressive genetic damage due to the spores' colonisation of the body, resulting in death due to central nervous system failure, rendering intubation and other respiratory interventions ultimately redundant. Ingestion of spores via skin contact is another significant risk, causing a slower but equally lethal progression of symptoms.

Fateh V was developed between 1999 and 2016 at the National Military Laboratory as part of the Oasis Project. The standard payload delivery system employs ICBMs (optionally launched from submarines and/or land-based underground silos), but the warhead is alternatively deliverable at shorter range via cruise missiles. The location of Fateh V-armed missiles, stockpiles, manufacturing, maintenance and disposal sites is highly classified and, due to a complex system of rotation employing extensive decoys, virtually unknown to foreign intelligence services.