Islamabad: Pakistan has successfully test-fired the advanced version of domestically developed Babur cruise missile 1B.
The test was witnessed by the director general of Strategic Plans Division (SPD) Lt Gen Nadeem Zaki Manj who expressed full confidence that the test “will further strengthen Pakistan’s strategic deterrence.” He congratulated the scientists and engineers on achieving excellence in the domain of cruise missile technology.
Chairman National Engineering and Scientific Commission (NESCOM) Dr Raza Samar, Commander Army Strategic Force Command Lt Gen Muhammad Ali and senior officers from strategic organizations attended the test firing at an undisclosed location.
The military’s statement did not give details on the range of the missile and only mentioned that the range has been “extended.” However, experts believe that the missile’s range has been extended to more than 900 kilometres. The missile of the same model could strike targets both at land and sea with “high accuracy” at a range of 700 kilometres.
Strengthen defence capabilities
Talking to Gulf News, former Air Marshal M. Ashfaque Arain, who is the director of emerging technologies at the Centre for Aerospace & Security Studies (CASS) said: “These tests are conducted to consolidate and verify different [weapons] systems for assured employment” to counter threats from the enemy. “Pakistan does not want to engage in an arms race but is focused on strengthening its existing defence capabilities” and maintaining effective deterrence.
Babur cruise missile
The Babur (Hatf 7) is a ground-launched cruise missile with an estimated range of over 700km. It can deliver both nuclear and conventional payloads. The low-flying stealthy cruise missiles are generally difficult to detect with radar.
Pakistan first tested the Babur system in August 2005 and has launched its several variants over the years. It has been tested from both land-based and underwater platforms. In 2017, the country tested its first submarine-launched cruise missile of Babur variant, the Babur-III, which has a range of 450 km.
In 2018, Pakistan tested the Babur weapon system 1B with a range of 700 km and advanced avionics and high accuracy. The 1B system can identify and engage diverse targets from various locations and altitudes, according to experts. In February 2021, Pakistan tested the 450-km range Babur cruise missile 1A which was launched from a multi-tube missile launch vehicle.
