Pakistan on Monday test-fired its first submarine-launched cruise missile Babur-III, the media wing of the country’s military said. The missile – launched from an underwater, mobile platform from an undisclosed location in the Indian Ocean – hit its target with precise accuracy, according to the Inter Services Public Relations. It has a range of 450 km and can be armed with both conventional and nuclear warheads.
The missile features “terrain-hugging and sea-skimming flight capabilities to evade hostile radars and air defences”. The weapon is a sea-based variant of the ground-launched cruise missile Babur-II, which was successfully tested by Pakistan in December 2016.
Babur-III, when in land-attack mode, will be “capable of providing Pakistan with a credible second strike capability”, ISPR said. “Pakistan eyes this hallmark development as a step towards reinforcing policy of credible minimum deterrence.”
In 2008, India had successfully test-fired a nuclear-capable, submarine-launched missile and in 2013, it had tested a submarine-launched cruise missile. Last year, Pakistan had said that it was “seriously concerned” by India test-launching its anti-ballistic missiles, reported Reuters.
The news comes days after India test-fired Agni-IV, a nuclear weapons-capable strategic missile, on January 2. It has the capacity to carry a one-tonne warhead to a distance of up to 4,000 km. The 5,000-km range Agni-V missile was successfully flight tested on December 26.
Buy an annual Scroll Membership to support independent journalism and get special benefits.
Our journalism is for everyone. But you can get special privileges by buying an annual Scroll Membership. Sign up today!