Pak testfires its answer to BrahMos

‘‘Missile tests have to take place, there is no surprise in that. The Ghauri and Shaheen series of missiles are of a greater interest. They are ballistic missiles with ranges comparable to the Agni missiles we are developing,’’ the official said.

While the Agni I and II—with ranges of 750 and 2,000 km respectively—are in the process of induction into the Army, DRDO has said its Agni-III—with a virtually intercontinental range of 3,000 km—will begin test-firings by the end of this year. In terms of range and delivery capabilities, the Agni-III would be an ostensible technical answer to Pakistan’s drawing board Hatf-V Ghauri II and III with ranges that are expected to match that.

Like the BrahMos, the Pakistan Defence statement noted that the Babur was built for firing from warships, submarines and fighter jets as well. While the ship-launched BrahMos has already been inducted into the Indian Navy, the land-launched variant was tested for the first time in December last year at Pokhran. DRDO is currently developing the BrahMos for delivery from the Su-30 MKI fighter and from Naval submarines as well.

‘‘Pakistan’s missile programme borrows much from Chinese technology, especially in the early years, though their developers have also come a long way,’’ the official said.

Pakistan Army spokesman Maj Gen Shaukat Sultan indicated in a statement today that Islamabad had now joined an elite club of countries that could make cruise missiles.

The test-firing of Babur today, at an undisclosed location, precluded the need for pre-notification since the two countries have a yet-to-be signed missile test agreement that does not include cruise missiles.