Pakistan conducts successful flight test of Hatf-8 missile
Pakistan conducts a successful flight test of the indigenously developed air launched cruise missile, Hatf-8.
Pakistan conducted a successful flight test of the indigenously developed air launched cruise missile, Hatf-8 on Friday.
The test of the nuclear-capable missile was conducted as part of the continuous process of improving the technical parameters of the weapon system. The Ra’ad missile, with a range of over 350 kilometres, has been developed exclusively for launch from aerial platforms.
This missile system has enabled Pakistan to achieve a greater strategic stand-off capability on land and at sea. ‘Cruise technology’ is extremely complex and has been developed by only a few countries in the world.
The state of the art Ra’ad cruise missile with stealth capabilities is a low altitude, terrain-hugging missile with high maneuverability, and can deliver nuclear and conventional warheads with great pinpoint accuracy.
The successful launch has been appreciated by President Asil Ali Zardari and Prime Minister Yousaf Raza Gilani, and the chairman joint chiefs of staff committee who have congratulated the scientists and engineers on their outstanding achievement.
Earlier this month, Pakistan successfully conducted the first flight test of the newly developed short range surface-to-surface multi-tube ballistic missile Hatf-9 (NASR).
WITH ADDITONAL INPUT FROM NEWS DESK
Published in The Express Tribune, April 30th, 2011.