Pakistan on Tuesday conducted a successful test flight of the Ababeel surface-to-surface ballistic missile (SSM), the Inter Services Public Relations (ISPR) said in a statement.

Ababeel has a maximum range of 2,200 kilometres and is capable of delivering multiple warheads using Multiple Independent Re-entry Vehicle (MIRV) technology, an ISPR press release added.

"The test flight was aimed at validating various design and technical parameters of the weapon system," it said.

Ababeel is capable of carrying nuclear warheads and has the capability to engage multiple targets with high precision, defeating hostile radars, the ISPR elaborated.

Surface-to-surface Ababeel ballistic missile. -AFP
Surface-to-surface Ababeel ballistic missile. -AFP

"The development of the Ababeel weapon system was aimed at ensuring survivability of Pakistan's ballistic missiles in the growing regional Ballistic Missile Defence (BMD) environment," read the press release.

The Ababeel test came on the heels of a successful test of submarine-launched cruise missile Babur-III earlier this month.

"The successful attainment of a second strike capability by Pakistan represents a major scientific milestone; it is manifestation of the strategy of measured response to nuclear strategies and postures being adopted in Pakistan’s neighborhood," the military had said after the Babur-III test.

The missile, launched from an undisclosed location in the Indian Ocean from an underwater, mobile platform, had hit its target with precise accuracy, the Army had said.

Babur-III is a sea-based variant of ground-launched cruise missile Babur-II, which was successfully tested in December last year.

Opinion

The questions never asked
23 Dec 2020

The questions never asked

A close look reveals an erasure of the dirty origins of the great fortunes of men like Mr Darcy and Mr Bingley.
Different course
23 Dec 2020

Different course

The GCC has adopted a new strategy to increase pressure on Iran.
Bitter spring
23 Dec 2020

Bitter spring

Once the dust has settled, the usual suspects are waiting in the wings.
Too grand a dialogue
22 Dec 2020

Too grand a dialogue

No one is clear about what it will focus on or what it aims to achieve.

Editorial

Updated 23 Dec 2020

Pakistan-Saudi ties

THE relationship between Pakistan and Saudi Arabia is indeed a strong one that goes back decades. While Pakistanis...
23 Dec 2020

Virus mutation

NEWS of a mutated, more transmissible version of the Covid-19 virus in the UK has set off alarm bells. British Prime...
23 Dec 2020

Ali Wazir’s arrest

THE circumstances surrounding the arrest of Ali Wazir, PTM leader and South Waziristan MNA, are curious to say the...
22 Dec 2020

Insufficient gas

SEVERAL gas consumers are facing shortages and a drop in pressure in Punjab and KP in spite of major cuts in supply...
Updated 22 Dec 2020

UAE visa issue

IN the field of international relations, sometimes differences between traditional allies do crop up, and it ...
22 Dec 2020

T20 series loss

PAKISTAN’S T20 series loss to New Zealand has not come as a surprise. The tour was always seen as a challenging ...