Pakistan tests nuclear-capable ballistic missile

bleedlikeme · 04-25-12 at 11:18 PM

ISLAMABAD — Pakistan successfully test fired a nuclear-capable intermediate range ballistic missile on Wednesday, the military said, less than a week after India test launched a long range missile.

The exact range of the missile was not revealed, but retired General Talat Masood, a defence analyst, told AFP intermediate range ballistic missiles could reach targets up to 2,500 to 3,000 kilometres (1,550 to 1,850 miles) away -- which would put almost all of arch-rival India within reach.

On Thursday India test fired its long range Agni V missile, which can deliver a one-tonne nuclear warhead anywhere in China.

"Pakistan today successfully conducted the launch of the intermediate range ballistic missile Hatf IV Shaheen-1A weapon system," Pakistan's military said in a statement.

India and Pakistan -- which have fought three wars since independence from Britain in 1947 -- have routinely carried out missile tests since both demonstrated nuclear weapons capability in 1998.

Pakistan's most recent missile test came last month with the launch of the short-range nuclear-capable Abdali, while in April 2008 it tested the Shaheen II, or Hatf VI, missile with a range of 2,000 kilometres.

Wednesday's missile, which landed in the sea, was a version of the Shaheen-1 with improvements in range and technical parameters, the military said, and can carry nuclear and conventional warheads.

"This is part of Pakistan's programme to develop nuclear and missile deterrence. It has a series of missiles in its inventory. This is perhaps the longest range missile in its programme," retired general Masood told AFP.

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BobFromBristol · 04-26-12 at 06:32 AM

Oh, dear! Another one, along with North Korea and Iran. Who's going to press the button - Eeny, Meeny, Miney, Mo!

**L1b3rta** · 04-26-12 at 06:48 AM

And in the meanwhile, Pakistan's people are starving. I believe the prime minister (or ex-prime minister?) said in Countdown to Zero that they'd let the people literally eat grass if that is what it takes to build the nuclear bomb. And not only that, hunger will let even more poor residents leap into the arms of the taliban, fueling perpetual chaos in the country that has nukes. It's about time that government starts taking care for its population, instead having a pointless arms race.

**rockyrocks** · 04-26-12 at 07:31 AM

Quote: Originally Posted by BobFromBristol

Oh, dear! Another one, along with North Korea and Iran. Who's going to press the button - Eeny, Meeny, Miney, Mo!

Don't get too excited they did it just because India did it.. nothing else is happening..

**pkg81** · 04-26-12 at 08:27 AM

.....And here comes the US of A.

Notorious_dog · 04-26-12 at 09:06 AM

Which country was it that Bin laden was apparently killed in again? It wasn't one of any of these two was it?

**Noledox** · 04-26-12 at 11:50 PM

Quote: Originally Posted by rockyrocks

Don't get too excited they did it just because India did it.. nothing else is happening..

More importantly, while the ballistic missile is new, nuclear Pakistan is not.

Quote: Originally Posted by Notorious_dog

Which country was it that Bin laden was apparently killed in again? It wasn't one of any of these two was it?

Pakistan.

**rockyrocks** · 04-27-12 at 01:07 AM

Quote: Originally Posted by Noledox

More importantly, while the ballistic missile is new, nuclear Pakistan is not.

Even that is of not much concern I believe. After three wars both the countries are tired of fighting each other. Growing pressure from US and other nations had made sure that pakistan curbs it support to militancy. Even though Kashmir is a major issue, I think the issue will be either kept on the sideburner or be resolved amicably. Pakistan and India both have other extreme internal issues Which the governments are keen on working for. So I don't give much weight age to things going wrong. Well unless China has something up. But yeah things can or will go wrong with attempts from terrorists to infiltrate Kashmir in the recent months.

**Noledox** · 04-28-12 at 12:54 AM

Quote: Originally Posted by rockyrocks

Even that is of not much concern I believe. After three wars both the countries are tired of fighting each other. Growing pressure from US and other nations had made sure that pakistan curbs it support to militancy. Even though Kashmir is a major issue, I think the issue will be either kept on the sideburner or be resolved amicably. Pakistan and India both have other extreme internal issues Which the governments are keen on working for. So I don't give much weight age to things going wrong. Well unless China has something up. But yeah things can or will go wrong with attempts from terrorists to infiltrate Kashmir in the recent months.

I was trying to point out that having had nukes this long without using them suggests a fair modicum of sanity. Pakistan has already proven that they won't use nukes at the first possible opportunity (at least so far). There's an increasing minority that believe nuclear weapons actually increase stability, at least in cases where MAD applies. Anyone who thinks they can get off a devastating first strike needs to be watched more closely though.

04-26-12 at 09:06 AM	#6
Notorious_dog Elder Join Date: Feb 2009 Posts: 3,974	Which country was it that Bin laden was apparently killed in again? It wasn't one of any of these two was it? Last edited by Notorious_dog; 04-26-12 at 09:08 AM.

04-26-12 at 06:32 AM	#2
BobFromBristol Newcomer Join Date: Mar 2011 Posts: 32	Oh, dear! Another one, along with North Korea and Iran. Who's going to press the button - Eeny, Meeny, Miney, Mo!

04-26-12 at 06:48 AM	#3
L1b3rta Guru Join Date: Jun 2010 Posts: 5,992	And in the meanwhile, Pakistan's people are starving. I believe the prime minister (or ex-prime minister?) said in Countdown to Zero that they'd let the people literally eat grass if that is what it takes to build the nuclear bomb. And not only that, hunger will let even more poor residents leap into the arms of the taliban, fueling perpetual chaos in the country that has nukes. It's about time that government starts taking care for its population, instead having a pointless arms race.

04-26-12 at 07:31 AM	#4
rockyrocks Elite Join Date: Dec 2007 Posts: 2,351	Quote: Originally Posted by BobFromBristol Oh, dear! Another one, along with North Korea and Iran. Who's going to press the button - Eeny, Meeny, Miney, Mo! Don't get too excited they did it just because India did it.. nothing else is happening..

04-26-12 at 08:27 AM	#5
pkg81 tehPARADOX Join Date: Oct 2010 Location: Earth Posts: 2,477	.....And here comes the US of A.

04-26-12 at 11:50 PM	#7
Noledox Bad command or file name Join Date: Jul 2010 Location: Terra Incognita Posts: 2,709	Quote: Originally Posted by rockyrocks Don't get too excited they did it just because India did it.. nothing else is happening.. More importantly, while the ballistic missile is new, nuclear Pakistan is not. Quote: Originally Posted by Notorious_dog Which country was it that Bin laden was apparently killed in again? It wasn't one of any of these two was it? Pakistan.

04-27-12 at 01:07 AM	#8
rockyrocks Elite Join Date: Dec 2007 Posts: 2,351	Quote: Originally Posted by Noledox More importantly, while the ballistic missile is new, nuclear Pakistan is not. Even that is of not much concern I believe. After three wars both the countries are tired of fighting each other. Growing pressure from US and other nations had made sure that pakistan curbs it support to militancy. Even though Kashmir is a major issue, I think the issue will be either kept on the sideburner or be resolved amicably. Pakistan and India both have other extreme internal issues Which the governments are keen on working for. So I don't give much weight age to things going wrong. Well unless China has something up. But yeah things can or will go wrong with attempts from terrorists to infiltrate Kashmir in the recent months.

04-28-12 at 12:54 AM	#9
Noledox Bad command or file name Join Date: Jul 2010 Location: Terra Incognita Posts: 2,709	Quote: Originally Posted by rockyrocks Even that is of not much concern I believe. After three wars both the countries are tired of fighting each other. Growing pressure from US and other nations had made sure that pakistan curbs it support to militancy. Even though Kashmir is a major issue, I think the issue will be either kept on the sideburner or be resolved amicably. Pakistan and India both have other extreme internal issues Which the governments are keen on working for. So I don't give much weight age to things going wrong. Well unless China has something up. But yeah things can or will go wrong with attempts from terrorists to infiltrate Kashmir in the recent months. I was trying to point out that having had nukes this long without using them suggests a fair modicum of sanity. Pakistan has already proven that they won't use nukes at the first possible opportunity (at least so far). There's an increasing minority that believe nuclear weapons actually increase stability, at least in cases where MAD applies. Anyone who thinks they can get off a devastating first strike needs to be watched more closely though.