International   

Pakistan test-fires Hatf 7

ISLAMABAD: For the second time this year, Pakistan on Thursday test-fired the enhanced version of the nuclear-capable, low-flying Babur cruise missile, also known as the Hatf 7.

A military statement said the test-firing was successful and a “part of a continuous process of validating the design parameters” of this “indigenously developed” missile.

The Babur “has near-stealth capabilities, is a low-flying, terrain-hugging missile with high manoeuvrability, pin-point accuracy and radar avoidance features”, according to the statement from Inter-Services Public Relations.

The missile can hit targets at 700 km, and was test-fired earlier in March 2007.

When it was first launched in 2005, it was capable of travelling 500 km, and this version was test-flown in March 2006.

“The latest test would consolidate Pakistan’s strategic capability and strengthen national security,” the ISPR said. Senior military officers and scientists of the strategic organisations were present at the test-firing.

President General Pervez Musharraf and Prime Minister Shaukat Aziz sent congratulatory messages to the scientists and engineers involved in the missile’s development.

Printer friendly page  
Send this article to Friends by E-Mail

Stories in this Section

U.S. prediction of chaos has not materialised: Raul
U.K. Minister seeks to soothe Pakistan’s ruffled feathers
Call for hostage release
Nepal faces food insecurity: U.N.
Pakistan test-fires Hatf 7
Promise to establish new order
Five British Pakistanis jailed on terror charges
Remains of extinct elephant discovered in Greece
Rajapaksa hails Pratibha’s election
Australia to ‘negotiate’ uranium sale to India
N-deal: lawmakers warn Bush administration
We have our facts right: Keelty
Hu writes to Pratibha on firming up ties

Copyright © 2007, The Hindu. Republication or redissemination of the contents of this screen are expressly prohibited without the written consent of The Hindu