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Pakistan test-fires nuclear-capable ballistic missile

Friday, 11 December 2015 11:11 AM [ Last Update: Friday, 11 December 2015 11:11 AM ]

This photo shows Pakistan’s nuclear-capable surface-to-surface ballistic missile Shaheen-III during a test-fire.

Pakistan has successfully test-fired a new nuclear-capable ballistic missile with a range of 2,750 kilometers (1,708 miles).

According to a statement released by the Pakistani Army’s Directorate of Inter-Services Public Relations, the Friday test launch of the solid-fueled surface-to-surface Shaheen-III (Falcon-III) missile, with its impact point in the Arabian Sea, was “aimed at validating various design and technical parameters of the weapon system.”

Director General for Pakistan’s Strategic Plans Division Lieutenant General Mazhar Jamil, hailed the missile launch as a major step toward upgrading the country’s “deterrence” capability.

“Pakistan desires peaceful co-existence in the region for which nuclear deterrence would further strengthen strategic stability in South Asia,” he said.

The Indian missile BrahMos weapon system rolls down Rajpath during the full Republic Day rehearsal in New Delhi, January 23, 2015. (Photo by AFP)

Pakistan has been engaged in an arms race with its neighbor India since their partition in 1947. The two countries routinely carry out missile tests. They have also refused to sign the Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT) and other international regulatory pacts that restrict developing or testing nuclear weapons.

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