Pakistan conducts successful training launch of Babur cruise missile

This is the third missile launch by the armed forces in less than a month; effective range of weapon system is 450km

Pakistan on Thursday conducted a successful training launch of the Babur IA cruise missile, said a statement by the Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR).

This is the third missile launch by the armed forces in less than a month, with launches of the Shaheen-3 and Ghaznavi ballistic missiles being conducted in late January and early February respectively. 

The cruise missile has a range of 450 kilometres and can be launched from either a submarine or a land-based quad-launcher. 

The military's media wing added that the missile is "capable of engaging targets at land and sea with high precision".

The launch was witnessed by Chairman NESCOM Dr Raza Samar, Commander Army Strategic Forces Command Lieutenant General Muhammad Ali and other senior military and civilian officials.

Watch: Pakistan successfully test-fires long-range Shaheen-3 missile

Samar appreciated the standard of training and operational preparedness of the Army Strategic Forces, "which was reflected by the proficient handling of the weapon system in the field and fulfilment of all laid down training parameters".

"The president, prime minister of Pakistan, chairman Joint Chiefs of Staff Committee and services chiefs have also congratulated the participating troops on the conduct of successful training launch," added ISPR. 

In 2018, the military conducted the first successful submarine launch of the Babur cruise missile, giving Islamabad a credible second-strike capability and augmenting the existing deterrence regime.

The submarine-launched version of the Babur is also capable of delivering different kinds of payloads and employs underwater controlled propulsion, advanced guidance and navigation features.

The landmark development was a step towards reinforcing the policy of credible minimum deterrence through indigenisation and self-reliance.