Pak to enhance nuke-capable Babur missile

Islamabad, June 12: Pakistan may soon testfire a new version of the ground launched cruise missile Babur, having an enhanced range of 1,000 kilometres.

The nuclear-capable missile, which Pakistani scientists tested twice since August 2005, is currently undergoing different trials.

Babur is a terrain hugging, radar avoiding cruise missile with high maneuverability and pin point accuracy.

The range of the missile is being enhanced from 500 to 1000 kilometers. The missile will be handed over to Pakistan Army's Strategic Force Command after tests and trials.

Pakistan launched its medium-range missile programme in April 1998, with the first successful test flight of Ghauri missile followed by similar tests in the next years involving the nuclear capable, Shaheen, Ghaznavi and Abdali and Babur missile systems. HATF-3 (Ghaznavi), HATF-5 (Ghauri), HATF-4 (Shaheen-1) have already been handed over to the Strategic Force Command.

Pakistan's inventory of missiles also include the long range surface-to-surface ballistic missile Hatf VI (Shaheen II), which has a range of 2,000 kilometers.

Shaheen-II is a two stage solid fuel missile capable of carrying both nuclear and conventional warheads with high accuracy.

UNI

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