Pakistan test-fires Babur cruise missile

Missile can strike targets both at land and sea with high accuracy at a range of 700 kilometres

RAWALPINDI: Pakistan on Wednesday conducted a successful test of an enhanced version of the indigenously-developed Babur cruise missile.

Babur weapons system version II incorporates advanced aerodynamics and avionics that can strike targets both at land and sea with high accuracy at a range of 700 kilometres. It is a low flying, terrain hugging missile, which carries certain stealth features and is capable of carrying various types of warheads, according to a press statement.

The missile is equipped with state-of-the-art navigational technologies of Terrain Contour Matching (Tercom) and all-time Digital Scene Matching and Area Co-relation (DSMAC) which enables it to engage various types of targets with pinpoint accuracy even in the absence of GPS navigation. Babur weapons system is an important force multiplier for Pakistan’s strategic defence.

The launch was witnessed by Chairman Joint Chiefs of Staff Committee General Zubair Mahmood Hayat, senior officers from the Strategic Plans Division, Strategic Forces, scientists and engineers of strategic organisations.

Chairman Joint Chiefs of Staff Committee congratulated the scientists and engineers on achieving yet another milestone of great value and significance. He appreciated the technical prowess, dedication and commitment of scientists who contributed to the success of this launch.

Published in The Express Tribune, December 15^th, 2016.