ISLAMABAD: The military test-fired a home-grown Babur cruise missile on Tuesday that has a range of more than 900 kilometres (560 miles), twice the distance of an earlier missile of the same model, an Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR) statement said.
The missile’s extended range further enhances the nuclear-armed nation’s military capability.
The missile, dubbed the Babur Cruise Missile 1B, is domestically developed, said the military statement. An earlier version had a limited capacity to travel just 450 kilometres (280 miles).
According to the agency, Strategic Plans Division (SPD) Director General Lt Gen Nadeem Zaki Manj congratulated the scientists and engineers on achieving excellence in the domain of cruise missile technology.
He also expressed his full confidence that this test would further strengthen Pakistan’s strategic deterrence.
President Arif Alvi, Prime Minister Imran Khan, Joint Chiefs of Staff Committee Chairman Gen Nadeem Raza and services chiefs also congratulated the scientists and engineers on conducting the successful launch, the statement added.
The Babur series cruise missiles have better manoeuvrability and terrain hugging capability. Because of their capability to make a flight at low altitudes, high manoeuvrability, and pre-programmed flights, cruise missiles are considered important in evading the deployed early warning systems and missile defence systems.
Pakistan and India, which also has a nuclear arsenal, have a volatile relationship, having fought three wars against each other.
The military buildup of both countries is closely watched by a nervous international community as India and Pakistan have come dangerously close to a fourth war at least twice over the last two decades.
