Pakistan tests cruise missile

by Angel Kaur    May 12, 2008

Pakistan has carried out a second successful test of a cruise missile capable of carrying nuclear weapons, its military said.

Hatf-VIII (or Raad, "thunder" in Arabic) was first tested last year.

It has a range of 350km (220 miles) and it has been developed exclusively for launch from the air.

On Wednesday, India tested a ballistic missile with a range of over 3000km (1,865 miles). The two neighbours routinely carry out missile tests.

Tension between Pakistan and India has decreased in recent years amid a series of bilateral overtures.

"It (Hatf-VIII) has enabled Pakistan to achieve a greater strategic stand-off capability on land and at sea," a statement from the Pakistan military said.

"The missile test is part of a continuing process of validating the design parameters of the weapon system."

Hatf-VIII was first tested in August last year. Experts say several tests are required before any missile can be deployed.

This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 3.0 License.

Rate It:

• 1
• 2
• 3
• 4
• 5