Pakistan conducts training launch of surface-to-surface ballistic missile

Pakistan on Thursday successfully conducted the training launch of the Nasr — a short-range surface-to-surface ballistic missile.

According to the Inter-Services Public Relations ISPR statement, the launch was conducted by the Army Strategic Forces Command and was aimed at “enhancing operational efficiency” as well as “re-validating desired technical parameters”.

“This training exercise involved launching of quad salvo for desired effects,” the statement read, adding that Nasr is a “high precision, shoot-and-scoot weapon system with the ability of in-flight maneuverability”.

“This weapon system has augmented full spectrum deterrence posture while remaining within the precincts of the policy of credible minimum deterrence, against prevailing and evolving threat spectrum more effectively, including enemy’s ballistic missile defence and other air defence systems,” the military’s media wing said.

Chairman Joint Chiefs of Staff Committee General Zubair Mahmood Hayat, Director General Strategic Plans Division, Commander Army Strategic Forces Command, Chairman National Engineering and Scientific Commission senior officers from the Army Strategic Forces Command, scientists and engineers of strategic organizations witnessed the launch.

Gen Hayat also congratulated the scientists and engineers for developing the “sophisticated” weapon system in order to “enhance Pakistan’s deterrence capability”.

Pakistan’s President Arif Alvi, Prime Minister Imran Khan and services chiefs also congratulated on successful conduct of the training launch.