Pakistan has successfully tested a short-range surface-to-surface ballistic missile, according to the military.
The military said on July 5, 2017 that it had tested the Nasr missile, which carries a range of up to 70 kilometers. The missile is capable of carrying nuclear warheads and can be rapidly deployed.
In a statement posted on its social media, the media wing of the military noted, “Pakistan has successfully undertaken a series of training launches and tests and trials during the current week for validation of new technical parameters of ‘Nasr’ with enhanced range from 60 km to 70 km and flight maneuverability.”
Accompanying the statement, Pakistani officials shared video of the missile test.
“Our strat cap is a guarantee of peace agnst belligerent neighbour & only meant to ensure, no one thinks war remains an option”, COAS(2 of2) pic.twitter.com/oMU4bZNnse— Maj Gen Asif Ghafoor (@OfficialDGISPR) July 5, 2017
Pakistan’s military noted that Nasr will “augment credible deterrence against the prevailing threat spectrum.”
The Army Chief, General Qamar Javed Bajwa, stressed that Islamabad aims for regional peace and the missile emphasized the point that Pakistani missile capability is a guarantor of peace. He said the test put “cold water” on the Cold Start doctrine, which is an Indian strategic policy calling for Indian troops to rapidly take temporary control over Pakistani territory, without risking a wider war.
Islamabad views the policy as a direct threat and has developed tactical weapons to counter it.
Military markets analyst, covering Eurasia, Middle East, and Africa.
