On the 12th of August 2005, Pakistan announced that it successfully tested its first cruise missile, named Babur, meaning "Tiger". It propelled Pakistan into an exclusive group of ten countries that operate cruise missiles, and an even more exclusive group of countries that can develop and manufacture them.
The Babur is described as a subsonic, low-level terrain-mapping missile and its range has been reported to be upto 500km, but details on its on its guidance, propulsion system or its payload is still unannounced.
Many commentators have pointed out similiarities between the Babur cruise missile and the the US BGM-109 Tomahawk land attack cruise missile, with the two being roughly the same size and shape and having a similar wing and engine intake design. Several Tomahawks landed in Pakistani territory during the US Afghanistan campaign. Although no evidence suggests the cruise missile is based on Tomahawk technology, it is possible examination of it may have assisted the Pakistani cruise missile project.
The August test missile was launched from a land based transporter erector launcher (TEL), but officials state the Babur will eventually be capable of ship, submarine and eventually airbourne launch.
Babur has been inducted into the military arsenal, and will enter serial production by Octorber 2005.
Officials have announced, Pakistan is already working on a second, more advanced cruise missile, with a range of 1,000km.
General Statistics
Primary Function: medium-range subsonic cruise missile for striking high value or heavily defended land targets. Power Plant: Unknown Length: 7 metres Weight: Unknown Diameter: Unknown Wing Span: 6.75 metres Range:500 km Speed:Subsonic - around 550 mph (880 km/h) Payload: Unknown Guidance System:Unknown Warheads: Conventional or nuclear Date Tested:August 2005
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