Pakistan attains ‘second strike capability’ with test-fire of submarine-launched cruise missile
Pakistan has successfully test-fired its first ever nuclear-capable submarine-launched cruise missile Babur-III, Director General Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR) Maj Gen Asif Ghafoor said.
The nuclear-capable Babur-3 missile, which has a range of 450km, from an undisclosed location in the Indian Ocean.
“Pakistan conducted its first successful test fire of Submarine Launched Cruise Missile (SLCM) Babur-3 having a range of 450 kilometers [some 280 miles], from an undisclosed location in the Indian Ocean. The missile was fired from an underwater, mobile platform and hit its target with precise accuracy,” the statement said.
“The successful attainment of a second strike capability by Pakistan represents a major scientific milestone; it is manifestation of the strategy of measured response to nuclear strategies and postures being adopted in Pakistan’s neighborhood,” the military said after the test.
Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif said the test showed Pakistan’s technological progress and self-reliance.
Chief of Army Staff Gen Qamar Javed Bajwa congratulated the team behind the launch and the nation on the development, Maj Gen Ghafoor said.
Chairman Joint Chiefs of Staff Committee Gen Zubair Hayat, Chief of Air Staff Air Chief Marshal Sohail Aman and Chief of Naval Staff Admiral Muhammad Zakaullah also congratulated the nation on this landmark achievement, the DG ISPR said.
Pakistan’s Major General Asif Ghafoor posted a video of the launch on Twitter:
#Pakistan successfully test fired first Submarine launched Cruise Missile Babur-3. Rg 450 Km. #COAS congrats Nation and the team involved. pic.twitter.com/YRNei5oF65
— Maj Gen Asif Ghafoor (@OfficialDGISPR) January 9, 2017
Pakistan has previously launched missiles from land and air-based platforms, but sources say it felt the need for a sea-based programme was essential.
The newly-launched missile has been built with state-of-the-art technology, including underwater-controlled propulsion and advanced guidance and navigation features, augmented by global navigation and terrain and scene matching systems, according to Radio Pakistan.
In December last year, Pakistan successfully tested a land-based variant, the Ground Launched Cruise Missile (GLCM) Babur-2.