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Pakistan on September 17, 2012 conducted successful test of Hatf VII (Babur) cruise missile. The missile has the range of 700 km with payload of approximately 500 Kg. It is low-flying, terrain-hugging missile with stealth technology that can hardly be visible in radars. It can carry both conventional and nuclear arsenals. If analysed, the geographical contiguity of Pakistan and India provide a strategic leverage to the former, particularly in the wake of tactical warfare. At present,Pakistanis in a full position to carry out any tactical warfare if any war is imposed on it.
The missile has added features of Terrain Contour Matching (TERCOM) and Digital Seen Matching and Area co-Relation (DSMAC). The two technologies act as navigation and surveillance for the missile. TERCOM takes contour map of the terrain and compare it to measurements during flight by an on-board radar altimeter. The system provides information of distance between the missile and the ground. TERCOM and DSMAC are advanced navigation technologies. They are better than Inertial Navigation System (INS). These systems enhance missile accuracy and selection of enemys target.
It is also employed with Strategic Command and Control Support System (SCCSS) that means it is under the full command and control system to retaliate any emerging threat. Evaluating threat perception and response remain one of the foremost duties of strategic command. Pakistan has a robust command and control system under the National Command Authority (NCA). NCA is the apex political decision-making body regarding development and employment of strategic assets. It was formed in 2000. It is chaired by Prime Minister of Pakistan who is the Chief Executive of the government of Pakistan. NCA directs any development in nuclear programme to Strategic Plans Division (SPD). SPD runs as a secretariat of strategic forces. SCCSS system provides all strategic assets with round the clock situational awareness in a digitized network centric environment to decision makers at National Command Centre (NCC). It is ready to meet any daunting challenge to national security. The test of Hatf VII is indeed a booster in enhancing countrys national power.
The missile was tested from a Multi-Tube Missile Launch Vehicle (MLV) that adds two-pronged advantages to Babur missile system. One, it can deceit enemy by firing multiple dummy missiles with an original one so as to make flounder the Ballistic Missile Defence (BMD) system of India. Second, it amplifies deployment options of Babur Weapon system. The MLV can be moved and be deployed at any strategic target. In tactical warfare, this adds to the enhanced capability of assured destruction. The missile is also capable of targeting in land and sea therefore; it is not only a defender of territorial boundaries of land but also of maritime security. The cost of manufacturing of a cruise missile is far less than developing a Ballistic missile thus, Hatf-VII also gives economic advantage.
In purview of the emerging threats in the region, particularly, the pursuance of Indian Cold Start Doctrine (CSD) that aimed at initiating a limited war under the cover of nuclear threshold and Indias continued efforts to acquire Ballistic Missile Defence (BMD), the test of Hatf VII (Babur) is a booster for countrys deterrence capability. CSD is an Indian plan of military to carry out a string operation against Pakistan. The plan was chalked out in 2004 and till 2012; India has done almost a dozen military exercises near Pakistani territory. The main military exercises include Divya Ashtra in 2004, Desert Strike in 2005, Shange Shakti in 2006, Ashwamedh in 2007, Brazen Chariots in 2008, Hind Shakti in 2009, Vayu Shakti in 2010, Vijyee Bhava in 2011 and INRDA in 2012. Although, Indian Army chief, Gen. V.K. Singh denied the idea in 2010 by stating, There is nothing called Cold Start yet, military actions cannot hide Indian adventurous intentions. In response of all these exercises, Pakistan has developed corresponding capability, for this there have been developments in the cruise technology. This adds both battle field and strategic capability to Pakistan. It has developed tactical nuclear arsenals that can destruct and harm enemys forces at smaller level instead of a huge nuclear holocaust. Tactical weapons needed delivery system for short range. Babur proved to be an appropriate carrying missile of tactical weapons.
Not to speak of Cold Start Doctrine, India is even endeavoring for acquiring Ballistic Missile Defence (BMD) system. BMD is a defensive technology with offensive capability to detect, intercept and destroy incoming missile of the adversary. However, BMD can only stop Ballistic missiles as they go into sub-orbital space. However, Hatf VII (Babur) is a low flying cruise missile, it is hard to detect it through radars and thus it limits BMD system of India and reinforce Pakistans deterrence capability.
Encapturing the broader picture at regional and international level, the Indian-US enhanced strategic partnership is another point of thinking for Pakistans foreign policy. In the real politik; a country is bound to defend itself by its own means. In the present scenario of nuclear South Asia, the Balance of Power is the need of the hour. As Pakistan was compelled to balance Indian hegemony in 1998, it is too compelled to maintain deterrence in the contemporary dynamic nuclear arena. The test of Hatf proved to be a sign of maintaining credible deterrence in South Asia.
The missile has added features of Terrain Contour Matching (TERCOM) and Digital Seen Matching and Area co-Relation (DSMAC). The two technologies act as navigation and surveillance for the missile. TERCOM takes contour map of the terrain and compare it to measurements during flight by an on-board radar altimeter. The system provides information of distance between the missile and the ground. TERCOM and DSMAC are advanced navigation technologies. They are better than Inertial Navigation System (INS). These systems enhance missile accuracy and selection of enemys target.
It is also employed with Strategic Command and Control Support System (SCCSS) that means it is under the full command and control system to retaliate any emerging threat. Evaluating threat perception and response remain one of the foremost duties of strategic command. Pakistan has a robust command and control system under the National Command Authority (NCA). NCA is the apex political decision-making body regarding development and employment of strategic assets. It was formed in 2000. It is chaired by Prime Minister of Pakistan who is the Chief Executive of the government of Pakistan. NCA directs any development in nuclear programme to Strategic Plans Division (SPD). SPD runs as a secretariat of strategic forces. SCCSS system provides all strategic assets with round the clock situational awareness in a digitized network centric environment to decision makers at National Command Centre (NCC). It is ready to meet any daunting challenge to national security. The test of Hatf VII is indeed a booster in enhancing countrys national power.
The missile was tested from a Multi-Tube Missile Launch Vehicle (MLV) that adds two-pronged advantages to Babur missile system. One, it can deceit enemy by firing multiple dummy missiles with an original one so as to make flounder the Ballistic Missile Defence (BMD) system of India. Second, it amplifies deployment options of Babur Weapon system. The MLV can be moved and be deployed at any strategic target. In tactical warfare, this adds to the enhanced capability of assured destruction. The missile is also capable of targeting in land and sea therefore; it is not only a defender of territorial boundaries of land but also of maritime security. The cost of manufacturing of a cruise missile is far less than developing a Ballistic missile thus, Hatf-VII also gives economic advantage.
In purview of the emerging threats in the region, particularly, the pursuance of Indian Cold Start Doctrine (CSD) that aimed at initiating a limited war under the cover of nuclear threshold and Indias continued efforts to acquire Ballistic Missile Defence (BMD), the test of Hatf VII (Babur) is a booster for countrys deterrence capability. CSD is an Indian plan of military to carry out a string operation against Pakistan. The plan was chalked out in 2004 and till 2012; India has done almost a dozen military exercises near Pakistani territory. The main military exercises include Divya Ashtra in 2004, Desert Strike in 2005, Shange Shakti in 2006, Ashwamedh in 2007, Brazen Chariots in 2008, Hind Shakti in 2009, Vayu Shakti in 2010, Vijyee Bhava in 2011 and INRDA in 2012. Although, Indian Army chief, Gen. V.K. Singh denied the idea in 2010 by stating, There is nothing called Cold Start yet, military actions cannot hide Indian adventurous intentions. In response of all these exercises, Pakistan has developed corresponding capability, for this there have been developments in the cruise technology. This adds both battle field and strategic capability to Pakistan. It has developed tactical nuclear arsenals that can destruct and harm enemys forces at smaller level instead of a huge nuclear holocaust. Tactical weapons needed delivery system for short range. Babur proved to be an appropriate carrying missile of tactical weapons.
Not to speak of Cold Start Doctrine, India is even endeavoring for acquiring Ballistic Missile Defence (BMD) system. BMD is a defensive technology with offensive capability to detect, intercept and destroy incoming missile of the adversary. However, BMD can only stop Ballistic missiles as they go into sub-orbital space. However, Hatf VII (Babur) is a low flying cruise missile, it is hard to detect it through radars and thus it limits BMD system of India and reinforce Pakistans deterrence capability.
Encapturing the broader picture at regional and international level, the Indian-US enhanced strategic partnership is another point of thinking for Pakistans foreign policy. In the real politik; a country is bound to defend itself by its own means. In the present scenario of nuclear South Asia, the Balance of Power is the need of the hour. As Pakistan was compelled to balance Indian hegemony in 1998, it is too compelled to maintain deterrence in the contemporary dynamic nuclear arena. The test of Hatf proved to be a sign of maintaining credible deterrence in South Asia.
