 Pakistan test-fires nuclear-capable Babur-3 missile Washington (UPI) Jan 9, 2017 - Pakistan's nuclear-capable Babur-3 missile was successfully launched from a submarine in the Indian Ocean, defense authorities say. The weapon was fired from an undisclosed location, and hit its target at a range of 280 miles. Hindustan Times reports the missile is intended to strengthen the country's second strike capability, and deter nuclear attacks on its soil. "It is manifestation of the strategy of measured response to nuclear strategies and postures being adopted in Pakistan's neighborhood," Pakistani military officials said, suggesting the launch was conducted as a show of force toward India and other surrounding nations. The event comes less than a week after Pakistan's neighbor India test-fired its Agni-IV ballistic missile, a weapon also designed to carry a nuclear payload. Pakistan's Major General Asif Ghafoor posted a video of the launch on Twitter, praising the weapon's developers. The Babur III is a sea-based follow-up to the ground-launched Babur II cruise missile, according to Pakistan's English-language newspaper Dawn. The nuclear-capable weapon is equipped with underwater-controlled propulsion technology in addition to navigation features.
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Pakistan on Monday test-fired its first submarine-launched cruise missile, capable of carrying a nuclear warhead and giving the country a credible second strike capability, the military said.
The missile was fired from an underwater mobile platform and hit its target with precise accuracy, it said in a statement.
A military spokesman confirmed to AFP the missile, with a range of 450 km (280 miles), could carry a nuclear warhead.
"Babur-3 is a sea-based variant of Ground Launched Cruise Missile (GLCM) Babur-2, which was successfully tested earlier in December, last year," the statement said.
"Pakistan eyes this hallmark development as a step toward reinforcing the policy of credible minimum deterrence."
Pakistan and neighbouring India -- which have fought three wars since independence from Britain in 1947 -- have routinely carried out missile tests since both demonstrated a nuclear weapons capability in 1998.
Both countries can already launch surface-to-surface ballistic missiles capable of carrying nuclear or conventional warheads.
Tension between the two countries has been high since a deadly attack on an Indian army base in the disputed region of Kashmir in September, which New Delhi blamed on Pakistan-based Islamist group Jaish-e-Mohammed.
The military said the Babur-3 SLCM, in a land-attack mode, was capable of delivering various types of payloads.
It would "provide Pakistan with a Credible Second Strike Capability, augmenting deterrence".
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