ISLAMABAD: Pakistan on Friday successfully test fired new missiles and torpedoes from ships, submarines and aircraft in the Arabian Sea, the navy announced.
“Pakistan navy fleet today tested its fire power in the north Arabian Sea to assess lethality, precision and efficacy of its weapon system,” it said.
The navy did not disclose range or technical details but said “this included successful firing of a variety of missiles and torpedoes from the ships.”
The tests included anti-surface missiles from an F-22P frigate, acquired recently from China, air-to-surface missiles from P-3C aircraft and sub surface-to-surface missiles from Agosta 90B submarines that originate from France.
“While reassuring Pakistan navy’s commitment of defending the motherland, this strike capability would also send a message of deterrence to anyone harbouring nefarious designs against Pakistan,” the statement said.
South Asian rivals India and Pakistan — which have fought three wars, two of them over the disputed Himalayan territory of Kashmir — routinely carry out missile tests since both demonstrated nuclear weapons capability in 1998.
Last month, India successfully tested a nuclear-capable surface-to-surface Agni-III missile with a range of more than 3,000 kilometres (2,000 miles) from Wheeler Island, off the coast of the eastern state of Orissa.
Pakistan’s arsenal includes short-range, medium and long-range nuclear capable missiles.
