Pak test fires nuclear-capable short-range Hatf-IX missile

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Press Trust of India | Updated: May 29, 2012 13:01 IST

Islamabad: Pakistan on Tuesday successfully conducted the test fire of its indigenously built tactical nuclear-capable short range surface-to-surface multi-tube missile Hatf IX with a range of 60 km, aimed at "deterring evolving threats at shorter range."

A military statement said the missile can carry "nuclear warheads of appropriate yield with high accuracy and possesses shoot and scoot attributes".

"This quick response system addresses the need to deter evolving threats, specially at shorter ranges," it said.

It did not say where the test was conducted. The first test of the Hatf-IX was conducted in April last year.

At the time, experts and analysts said the short-range missile was primarily aimed at deterring India's Cold Start military doctrine, which envisages quick thrusts by small integrated battle groups in the event of hostilities.

Experts have said the Hatf-IX will be deployed with a mobile multi-barrel launch system that has "shoot and scoot attributes", or the ability to fire at a target and immediately relocate to another position to avoid enemy counter-fire.

The test was witnessed by Lt Gen (retired) Khalid Kidwai, the chief of the Strategic Plans Division, which is responsible for managing Pakistans nuclear arsenal. He described the Hatf-IX as "a weapon of peace" and claimed the test "was a major development which will consolidate Pakistan's deterrence capability at all levels of the threat spectrum, thereby ensuring peace in the region".