ISLAMABAD- Pakistan has conducted a test of its nuclear-capable,submarine-launched cruise missile (SLCM), Babur, which has a range of 450km, with the country’s military saying the weapon system provides it a“credible second strike capability”. Pakistan has been working hard ondeveloping this capability — to carry out a retaliatory nuclear strikeeven after an enemy’s nuclear attack destroys or neutralises its land-basednuclear arsenal — which India already has.
The Pakistan military’s media arm described Thursday’s test of theindigenously developed missile as successful. The missile is capable ofdelivering various types of payloads and incorporates advancedtechnologies, including underwater controlled propulsion and sophisticatedguidance and navigation features.
“SLCM Babur provides Pakistan credible second strike capability, augmentingthe existing deterrence regime,” the Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR)said in a statement.
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The first test of the Babur missile in January 2017 only “demonstrated …scientific capability”, the Dawn newspaper reported. Later tests confirmedthe missile’s “technical parameters” and the military’s claim of a crediblesecond strike capability indicated the Babur had “entered into service” inthe Pakistan Navy as an “operational missile system”, the report said.
India, which has a no-first use policy for its nuclear arsenal, beganworking on second strike capability soon after its nuclear tests in 1998.It has completed its nuclear triad and has the capability to launchstrategic weapons from land, air and sea.
Without naming India, the Pakistan military also sought to blame New Delhifor disturbing the strategic balance in the region by acquiring nuclearsubmarines and nuclear-capable missiles.
The development of second strike capability “reflects Pakistan’s responseto provocative nuclear strategies and posture being pursued in theneighbourhood through induction of nuclear submarines and ship-bornenuclear missiles, leading to nuclearisation of Indian Ocean region,” thestatement said.
The Babur missile was fired “from an underwater dynamic platform” and“successfully engaged its target with precise accuracy, meeting all theflight parameters”, the statement said.
A brief video posted on the ISPR website showed the red and white missileemerging from water and cruising over the sea before hitting a target onland. At the time of its launch from the underwater platform, the missilewas within a capsule which was jettisoned when the Babur rose above the seasurface. The military did not say where the test was conducted.