Pakistan confirms test of submarine-launched nuclear capable missile

Pakistan’s ministry of defense confirmed on January 9 that it has successfully test fired its nuclear-capable submarine launched cruise missile (SLCM).

The Babur-3, as the missile is named, was launched from a submerged position in the Indian Ocean.

Pakistan’s military said the missile test was a success as it hit its target with “precise accuracy” adding that Babur-3 was capable of delivering various types of payloads.

With a range of 450 kilometers Babur-3 is a sea-based variant of ground launched cruise missile (GLCM) Babur-2 and provides Pakistan with what the army called a credible second strike capability.

The missile features terrain hugging and sea skimming flight capabilities to evade hostile radars and air defenses, in addition to certain stealth technologies, in an emerging regional Ballistic Missile Defence (BMD) environment, the statement said.