Pakistan tests nuclear-capable missile

Pakistan Monday successfully test fired an indigenously developed multi-tube cruise missile with a range of 700 km and capable of carrying nuclear warheads, the military said.

Babur Cruise Missile Hatf-VII is a low-flying, terrain-hugging missile, which can strike targets both at land and sea with pin-point accuracy, an army statement said.

“It carries stealth features. Equipped with modern cruise missile technology of Terrain Contour Matching (TERCOM) and Digital Scene Matching and Area Co-relation (DSMAC), it can carry both nuclear and conventional warheads,” reported Xinhua citing the statement.

The missile was launched from a state-of-art Multi-Tube Missile Launch Vehicle (MLV), which significantly enhances the targeting and deployment options of Babur Weapon system.

“The system has the added capability of real time remote monitoring of missile flight path. The test consolidates and strengthens Pakistan’s deterrence capability and national security,” the military said.

The test enables robust command and control capability of all strategic assets with round-the-clock situational awareness in a digitized network centric environment to decision makers at National Command Centre.

President Asif Ali Zardari, Prime Minister Raja Pervez Ashraf and Chairman of Joint Chiefs of Staff Committee General Khalid Shameem Wynne congratulated the scientists and engineers.

The test was witnessed by Director General of Strategic Plans Division Lieutenant General Khalid Ahmed Kidwai, Chairman of National Engineering and Scientific Commission Muhammad Irfan Burney, senior officers from the armed forces and strategic organizations, the statement said.