Hatf VII Babur: more than being at par
By
Humera Niazi
Terrain-hugging, pinpoint precision, potentially invisible to radar, the Hatf VII Babur cruise missile was successfully tested by Pakistan on August 11. This has not only proved that Pakistan excels in defence capability but has also served to make this reality accepted at the international level. The missile has been launched in the following context:
(i) An Indian quest for achieving advanced weapons systems with the recent agreement for cooperation between US and India.
(ii) India's recent tirade of falsely maligning Pakistan's nuclear potential at Washington.
It was only recently that India entered into a defence and nuclear agreement with the United States. This has enabled India to achieve advance ballistic missile defence systems. Hence India, which is already on an arms-acquisition spree, through this development is out to create a strategic imbalance in the South Asian region. In addition to affecting Indo-Pak relations, this development has also caused concern among other countries of the region. A fully accelerated arms race has been commenced on India's part. What is the reason for India to further build its defence muscle? Is this a regional or a country-specific venture? In the Pakistani perspective, the only factor that is important is that Pakistan has every right to protect its sovereignty.
President Pervez Musharraf has once again stated the Pakistan's resolve to meet the emerging challenges in the neighbourhood, making it clear that "Pakistan's security was not negotiable."
According to Jane's Defence Weekly, Pakistan's development of this Cruise Missile provides its arsenal with a significant boost. Commenting on the issue, the US State Department said Pakistan's cruise missile test "meets the criteria" of not being "provocative" or "threatening." When the State Department spokesman was informed that Pakistan did not inform India about it, he maintained positively, "It was done in a way that was not alarming and was not a surprise."
Pakistan's position on this becomes clear as the recent agreement between India and Pakistan only refers to ballistic missiles and not cruise missiles. It is also said that Babur is an air-breathing missile and therefore belongs to a different class of weapons. Another significant aspect of the testing of Babur is that it counters the Indian plan of acquiring advanced anti-missile system from the US and Israel. That is, even if they acquire these systems. In the offing were the acquisition of Israeli Aero and US Patriots. After Pakistan's launching of Babur cruise missile, the Indian quest for anti-missile system appears to be another story.
The successful testing of Babur has also indicated that there was an Indian intelligence lapse. For it appears that New Delhi had no idea that Pakistan could develop a cruise missile indigenously. This is apparent from the recent refusal of the Indian government to bring the cruise missile system under the missile control regime.
The successful launch of Babur is also a strong rejoinder to Indian lies and utterances with regard to the effectiveness of Pakistan's command and control structure. During Dr Manmohan Singh's recent visit to the US, India made an effort to create a misconception that Pakistan's nuclear weapons could fall into the hands of extremists. But the US has given a positive response to the successful test firing of Babur.
In its recent offensive in Washington, India appears to have broached a serious matter but with irresponsibility because of its irrational ideas. New Delhi is pointing at a situation which does not exist. In this context, it is apt to cite an analysis by a Canadian journalist, Eric Margolis of The Toronto Sun, who observes that India's "shaky" nuclear command and control system further increases the risk of nuclear conflict in the subcontinent. Pakistan, he points out, is believed to have a "more reliable and highly professional" command and control system.
Margolis in his article mentions with praise the achievement of Babur missile. He states, "Development of this cruise missile is a significant achievement for Pakistani defence technology." The writer further maintains that the Babur missile poses an even greater threat to India than Pakistan's 2000 KM ranged Shaheen II ballistic missile. He says that "Babur's advanced radar mapping technology and engine puts it in the class of western and Russian cruise missiles."
Credit goes to Pakistani scientists and engineers for this indigenous achievement. India had tested the BrahMos missile with the help of Russia. Babur has a greater range than BrahMos and is equally capable of being mounted on platforms at sea, land and air.
Babur missile is a timely boost for Pakistan's defence image. It comes at a time when Pakistan is to receive the oddity of two F-16s, whereas India aspires for ballistic missile defence system. Babur could be seen as the balancing act. Pakistan is a step ahead because of its indigenous efforts.
Pakistan's stance is for peace and Prime Minister Shaukat Aziz has stated that "Pakistan is against nuclear proliferation and as a responsible country it will continue its efforts to promote peace in the region." It is India that started the nuclear race in South Asia in the seventies with the Smiling Buddha, its first test fission explosion on May 18, 1974. Hence India should also take the lead in making South Asian region a nuclear free zone and work positively on this course.