Just five days after test firing its indigenously developed Air Launched Cruise Missile, Hatf-VIII (Ra'ad), Pakistan on Tuesday successfully test-fired the nuclear-capable Hatf-VII cruise missile that can hit deep within India.
The test came just a few days after India test fired a series of Akash missiles, a medium range surface-to-air anti-aircraft defence system with a strike range of 25 km and can carry a warhead of 60 kgs.
Hatf-VII missile was launched from a state of the art multi tube Missile Launch Vehicle (MLV) which significantly enhances the targeting and employment options of Babur Weapon System in both the conventional and nuclear modes.
"Pakistan today conducted a successful test fire of the multi tube, indigenously developed Cruise Missile Hatf-VII (Babur) having a range of 700 kms. Babur Cruise Missile is a low flying, terrain hugging missile with high maneuverability, pin point accuracy and radar avoidance features. It can carry both nuclear and conventional warheads and has stealth capabilities. It also incorporates the most modern cruise missile technology of Terrain Contour Matching (TERCOM) and Digital Scene Matching and Area Co-relation (DSMAC), which enhances its precision and effectiveness manifolds," Inter Services Public Relations (ISPR) said in a statement.
"The test will consolidate Pakistan's strategic deterrence capability, and further strengthen national security," it added.
The President and Prime Minister of Pakistan congratulated the scientists and engineers on their outstanding success.
It may be recalled that Pakistan has conducted a series of missile test firing of late. It test fired improvised version of the nuclear-capable Hatf-IV (1,000 km range) on April 25. Hatf-III ballistic missile, with a range of 290 km, was test fired on May 10, and Hatf-VIII, with a range of over 350 km, was test fired on May 31.
Coincidentally, India has test fired a series of Akash missile, an indigenously built surface-to-air missile, in the last one month. India also launched Agni-V, which has a range of more than 5,000 kilometers, in April.
