Just 15 days after Pakistan successfully test fired submarine-launched cruise missile Babur-III, the country today test-fired Ababeel, a surface-to-surface ballistic missile with a maximum range of 2200 km. The missile can carry both conventional and nuclear warheads with pin-point accuracy.
The successful test was lauded by higher-ups of government including Premier Nawaz Sharif and President Mamnoon Hussain.
Pakistan Army chief General Qamar Javed Bajwa also congratulated the scientists for achieving this milestone.
Pak successfully conducted first flight test of SSM #ABABEEL, Rg 2200 Km. #COAS congrats team and Pak Armed Forces for landmk achievement. pic.twitter.com/iXBGgJf9JN
— Maj Gen Asif Ghafoor (@OfficialDGISPR) January 24, 2017
“The development of the Ababeel weapon system was aimed at ensuring survivability of Pakistan’s ballistic missiles in the growing regional Ballistic Missile Defence (BMD) environment,” read the press release.
On the other hand, Pakistan’s arch-rival and neighbour India too tested the guided Pinaka multi barrel launcher on the same day. The 214 mm caliber rocket Pinaka, was test-fired from its launch pad in Chandipur.
Pinaka will eventually replace SMERCH which according to reports can fatten an area of 1.1 sq Km.
