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Pakistan Tests Nuclear-Capable Ballistic Missile |
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Written by Staff/Wire Services
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Monday, 20 February 2006 |
Pakistan has successfully test-fired a nuclear-capable battle-field short range ballistic missile (BSRBM).
A military spokesperson reported the Hatf-II/Abdali ground-to-ground missile had a range of 200km and could carry "nuclear and other types of warheads". This was the second test of the Hatf-II missile. The first test was conducted in March, 2005.
Details are sketchy on the test itself or the test site. The test itself was announced as Pervez Musharraf, the Pakistan president, was due to leave for a five-day state visit to China which has historically collaborated with Pakistan in that country's nuclear buildup.
Established in 1972 in response to neighbouring India's own nuclear buildup, Pakistan's missile program began to make strong advances in its uranium enrichment program culminating in the ability to carry out a nuclear explosion in 1987. In 1998 Pakistan announced that they had successfully test-detonated six nuclear devices altogether over a period of several days in a remote mountain area in its Balochistan province.
The Hatf-II/Abdali missile is capable of carrying a 500 kg warhead payload containing high explosive (nuclear) or chemical weapons. It has been estimated that Pakistan now has enough highly-enriched uranium for up to forty nuclear warheads. |
