Pakistan Answers India With Missile Test
Pakistan tested an intermediate-range, nuclear-capable ballistic missile on Wednesday, following a long-range missile launch last week by rival India.
The test was timed to showcase Pakistan's capabilities after India's test last week, said Talat Masood, a retired Pakistan army general.
"It's a sort of competition that's been going on," Mr. Masood said. "I'm sure these missiles are always ready for firing."
Pakistan's army said it had successfully launched the Hatf IV Shaheen-1A missile to an impact point in the Arabian Sea. The missile, which can carry nuclear and conventional warheads, has a longer range than previous versions, the army said in a statement. "The improved version of Shaheen-1A will further consolidate and strengthen Pakistan's deterrence abilities," it said.
An earlier version of the missile was deployed in 2003 and has a range of 466 miles, according to Reaching Critical Will, a New York-based nongovernmental organization that promotes disarmament.
Pakistan's longest-range nuclear-capable ballistic missile, the Hatf VI Shaheen-2, can travel about 1,240 miles, which would reach well into Indian territory, according to data cited by Reaching Critical Will. Much about Pakistan's ballistic-weapons program remains secret, however. "Despite frequent media reports, the capabilities of Pakistan's nuclear weapon delivery systems, and the current status of their technical development and operational readiness is unclear," the report added.
Indian and Pakistan often time missile tests and military exercises so they become a show of force to the other side.
India's test last week, however, was seen in part as a message to China. The test garnered global attention because of the ability of the missile, the Agni-V, to travel 3,100 miles before impact, well beyond the 1,860-mile range of earlier versions.
That would allow New Delhi to strike deep into Chinese territory, although Beijing's nuclear missiles and conventional armed forces remain far ahead of India's.
India has testy relations with both Pakistan and China. Beijing has close ties with Pakistan, whom it has helped to develop military and civilian nuclear capabilities.
Pakistan, which can't match India's spending on conventional forces, has been racing to increase its nuclear arsenal. The nation now has over 100 warheads, according to some estimates, putting it slightly ahead of India.
The neighboring countries each exploded nuclear devices in May 1998, drawing international condemnation and pushing the U.S. to temporarily impose economic sanctions on both nations. Since then, the U.S. has rewarded India's nonproliferation record by agreeing in 2005 to allow U.S. companies to sell nuclear fuel to India for nuclear energy.
The U.S. has declined to offer the same kind of deal to Islamabad, given Pakistan's history of selling nuclear secrets. Pakistan remains reliant on Chinese help for its nuclear program.
Pakistan tested an intermediate-range, nuclear-capable ballistic missile on Wednesday, following a long-range missile launch last week by rival India.
The test was timed to showcase Pakistan's capabilities after India's test last week, said Talat Masood, a retired Pakistan army general.
"It's a sort of competition that's been going on," Mr. Masood said. "I'm sure these missiles are always ready for firing."
Pakistan's army said it had successfully launched the Hatf IV Shaheen-1A missile to an impact point in the Arabian Sea. The missile, which can carry nuclear and conventional warheads, has a longer range than previous versions, the army said in a statement. "The improved version of Shaheen-1A will further consolidate and strengthen Pakistan's deterrence abilities," it said.
An earlier version of the missile was deployed in 2003 and has a range of 466 miles, according to Reaching Critical Will, a New York-based nongovernmental organization that promotes disarmament.
Pakistan's longest-range nuclear-capable ballistic missile, the Hatf VI Shaheen-2, can travel about 1,240 miles, which would reach well into Indian territory, according to data cited by Reaching Critical Will. Much about Pakistan's ballistic-weapons program remains secret, however. "Despite frequent media reports, the capabilities of Pakistan's nuclear weapon delivery systems, and the current status of their technical development and operational readiness is unclear," the report added.
Indian and Pakistan often time missile tests and military exercises so they become a show of force to the other side.
India's test last week, however, was seen in part as a message to China. The test garnered global attention because of the ability of the missile, the Agni-V, to travel 3,100 miles before impact, well beyond the 1,860-mile range of earlier versions.
That would allow New Delhi to strike deep into Chinese territory, although Beijing's nuclear missiles and conventional armed forces remain far ahead of India's.
India has testy relations with both Pakistan and China. Beijing has close ties with Pakistan, whom it has helped to develop military and civilian nuclear capabilities.
Pakistan, which can't match India's spending on conventional forces, has been racing to increase its nuclear arsenal. The nation now has over 100 warheads, according to some estimates, putting it slightly ahead of India.
The neighboring countries each exploded nuclear devices in May 1998, drawing international condemnation and pushing the U.S. to temporarily impose economic sanctions on both nations. Since then, the U.S. has rewarded India's nonproliferation record by agreeing in 2005 to allow U.S. companies to sell nuclear fuel to India for nuclear energy.
The U.S. has declined to offer the same kind of deal to Islamabad, given Pakistan's history of selling nuclear secrets. Pakistan remains reliant on Chinese help for its nuclear program.
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