By Muhammad Najeeb, IANS,
Islamabad : Pakistan Monday successfully conducted the first training launch of its long-range ballistic missile Hatf VI.
“The launch was conducted by the Army Strategic Force Command and marked the culmination of a field training exercise,” said a statement issued by the Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR).
It said the test had validated the operational readiness of a strategic missile group equipped with the Hatf-VI missile.
Hatf-VI is part of the Shaheen missile system that is Pakistan’s long-range ballistic missile system with a range of 2,000 km. It is a two-stage solid fuel missile, which can carry both conventional and nuclear warheads.
Monday’s launch, which cáme two days after another missile test exercise, was witnessed by chief of naval staff Admiral Muhammad Afzal Tahir and several senior military officers, scientists and engineers of strategic organisations, said the statement.
The naval chief congratulated all ranks of the Army Strategic Forces on the high standards achieved during training, which he said was reflected in the successful launch and the target accuracy of the missile.
Pakistan started planning its missile programme in early 1987 after media reports that India was on the road to pursue its missile programmes.
Then president General Zia ul Haq, in consultation with concerned departments, took the decision to build missiles of short and medium range capabilities to be equipped with proper guidance systems.
Hatf is named after the lance associated to Prophet Muhammad, which was used in many fights and is believed to have the distinction of never missing its target.