Pakistan attained the second strike capability as it successfully test-fired nuclear capable submarine-launÂched cruise missile Babur-III.The 450km range Babur-III, a sea-based variant of Babur-II was test-fired from a mobile platform in the Indian Ocean to hit a land-based target at an undisclosed location.The land-attack mode Babur-III is said to be capable of delivering various types of payloads. The successful test, analysts say, would help stabilise the deterrence that had been strained because of India’s sea-based missiles K-4, K-15, Dhanush and Brahmos, which has got land, air and sea versions.President Mamnoon Hussain and Prime Minister Muhammad Nawaz Sharif said that Pakistan believes in peaceful co-existence but cannot remain oblivious to its defence.In their separate messages, they termed it an important milestone in journey towards the goal of self-reliance in defence production.They viewed that the launch of Babur-III was meant to maintain balance of power in the region and it was not against any state. Chairman Joint Chiefs of Staff Committee General Zubair Mahmood Hayat and three  services chiefs congratulated all officials involved, on achieving this highly significant goal.Meanwhile, India is developing another sea-based missile Nirbhay. Babur-III being a cruise missile, analysts believe, is better than the Indian sea-based ballistic missiles.The reference to Indian Ballistic Missile Defence shows that the missile is designed to defeat India’s planned defence missile shield. Pakistani officials had criticised India for nuclearisation of Indian Ocean.Defending Babur-III’s test, they say, Pakistan had been compelled to go in that direction because of India’s unrestrained behaviour and for maintaining the credibility of its deterrence.In fielding a credible sea-based nuclear deterrent, Pakistan would now face two major challenges – attaining operational stealth capability for its submarines and ensuring reliability and survivability of communications with the submarines carrying the cruise missiles during war and the eventuality of a first strike by an adversary.The most significant aspect of this missile program is that it gives Pakistan an equal foothold on sea-based second-strike nuclear capability with India who had already launched its sea-based missile program capable of carrying nuclear warheads. The newly-launched missile has been built with state-of-the-art technology, including underwater-controlled propulsion and advanced guidance and navigation features, augmented by global navigation and terrain and scene matching systems.Babur-III also features terrain-hugging and sea-skimming flight capabilities to evade hostile radars and air defences, in addition to other stealth technologies.Chairman Joint Chiefs of Staff Committee Gen Zubair Hayat, Chief of Air Staff Air Chief Marshal Sohail Aman and Chief of Naval Staff Admiral Muhammad Zakaullah also congratulated the nation on this landmark achievement. Successful launch of the ground-based and submarine-launched versions of cruise missile is a clear message that the country is fully aware of what is developing in the region and what to do to safeguard core national interests. Pakistan has repeatedly asserted that it is against an arms race in South Asia but it would not remain indifferent to any threat to its security and defence. The hard work of our scientists, engineers and technicians is laudable and it shows that Pakistan is not lagging behind either in respect of updating its nuclear capability or delivery system.
