Pakistan test fires Hatf-VII Babur cruise missile

Babur cruise missile is low-flying, terrain-hugging missile, which can strike targets at land and sea.

RAWALPINDI: Pakistan conducted a successful test fire of the indigenously developed multi-tube cruise missile Hatf-VII (Babur), having a range of 700 kilometers, Inter-Services Public Relations said in a statement on Monday.

Babur cruise missile is a low-flying, terrain-hugging missile, which can strike targets both at land and sea with pin-point accuracy, the statement added.

According to ISPR, the missile carries stealth features – equipped with modern cruise missile technology of Terrain Contour Matching (TERCOM) and Digital Scene Matching and Area Co-relation (DSMAC). It can carry both nuclear and conventional warheads.

The missile was launched from a state-of-the-art Multi Tube Missile Launch Vehicle (MLV), which enhances the targeting and deployment options of Babur Weapon system.

The test was witnessed by Director-General Strategic Plans Division Lieutunent General (retd) Khalid Ahmed Kidwai, Chairman National Engineering and Scientific Commission (Nescom) Muhammad Irfan Burney, senior officers from the armed forces and strategic organisations.

In today’s test, National Command Authority’s fully automated Strategic Command and Control Support System (SCCSS) was once again employed. It enables robust command and control capability of all strategic assets with round the clock situational awareness in a digitised network centric environment to decision makers at National Command Centre (NCC).

The system has the added capability of real-time remote monitoring of missile flight path. The test consolidates and strengthens Pakistan’s deterrence capability and national security.

The successful test has also been appreciated by the President Asif Ali Zardari, Prime Minister Raja Pervaiz Ashraf and chairman Joint Chiefs of Staff Committee, who congratulated the scientists and engineers on their success.