Pakistan Tests Missile to Defeat Anti-missile Defences in 'Neighborhood’

Pakistan today conducted the second test of its surface-to-surface ballistic missile “Nasr,” capable of penetrating ballistic missile defence (BMD) systems in its ‘neighborhood.’

According to a press release from the Pakistan armed forces, the test was aimed at extreme in-flight and end-flight maneuverability, capable of defeating any currently available BMD system in their neighborhood or any other system under development.

The test launch of the short-range surface-to-surface ballistic missile ‘Nasr’ was held as part of Army Strategic Forces Command training exercise which included quad salvo on January 24 and single shots on 28th and 31st,  the Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR) said in a statement Thursday.

Pakistan has been ramping up its anti-missile defences in view of India acquiring the S-400 anti-missile system from Russia which provides wide protection against ballistic, cruise missiles and aircraft.

The first test of the Nasr was held last week. The ballistic missile has a strike range of about 70km. 

Pakistan tested the LY-80 long-range air defence weapons system in January and the Ghauri ballistic missile capable of carrying conventional and nuclear warheads up to a distance of 1,300 kilometres was tested last October. The country test-fired the indigenously-built Babur cruise missile with range of 700 km in early 2018. The Babur weapon system is a low-flying missile with stealth features capable of carrying various types of warheads.