Pakistan launches its first submarine-based nuclear cruise missile

Asia-Pacific, News January 10, 2017 , by IRIA No Comments

Pakistan’s new Submarine Launched Cruise Missile has sea-skimming and terrain-hugging flight characteristics

Pakistani military has successfully launched its first submarine-launched cruise missile that has nuclear payload capability.

The nuclear-capable Babur-3 missile has a range of 450km. It was fired from an underwater, mobile platform and hit its target with precise accuracy.

The Pakistan Armed Forces conducted on Monday the first successful launch of the Babur-3 cruise missile from a submarine in the Indian Ocean, the press service of Pakistan’s Armed Forces said in a statement.

“Pakistan conducted its first successful test fire of Submarine Launched Cruise Missile (SLCM) Babur-3 having a range of 450 kilometers [some 280 miles], from an undisclosed location in the Indian Ocean. The missile was fired from an underwater, mobile platform and hit its target with precise accuracy,” the statement said.

“Pakistan eyes this hallmark development as a step toward reinforcing the policy of credible minimum deterrence,” said a statement issued by the military.

The newly-launched missile has been built with state-of-the-art technology, including underwater-controlled propulsion and advanced guidance and navigation features, augmented by global navigation and terrain and scene matching systems, according to Radio Pakistan.

The cruise missile has sea-skimming and terrain-hugging flight characteristics to evade radar detection and interception — especially with regard to future regional missile defense capabilities.

Pakistan’s Major General Asif Ghafoor posted a video of the launch on Twitter:

#Pakistan successfully test fired first Submarine launched Cruise Missile Babur-3. Rg 450 Km. #COAS congrats Nation and the team involved. pic.twitter.com/YRNei5oF65

— Maj Gen Asif Ghafoor (@OfficialDGISPR) January 9, 2017

Babur-III is a sea-based variant of ground-launched cruise missile Babur-II, which was successfully tested earlier in December last.