Brave Pakistan army

Pakistani Strategic Missile Group of Army Strategic Forces Command has successfully tested Hatf III Ghaznavi Short range ballistic missile (SRBM). The Hatf III Ghaznavi SRBM is designed to carry conventional and nuclear warhead to a distance of 290 kilometres.

Missile was test fired as part of Field Training Exercise of Strategic Missile Group of Army Strategic Forces Command and it was witnessed by the Chairman Joint Chiefs of Staff Committee Gen Rashad Mahmood, Director General Strategic Plans Division, Lt Gen Zubair Mahmood Hayat, Commander Army Strategic Forces Command, Lt Gen Obaid Ullah Khan, Chairman NESCOM Muhammad Irfan Burney.

Pakistani Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif broke ground on $9.59 billion Nuclear Power Complex in Karachi. The 2,200-megawatt power nuclear project will be built around two Chinese ACP-1000 nuclear reactors, with China also providing enriched uranium for fuel.

Pakistani Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif  said that “The beginning of the 2,200-megawatt power project is indeed a proud moment in the energy history of Pakistan.”

Pakistan Army has fired a Salvo of four Short Range Surface to Surface Multi Tube Hatf IX (NASR) Ballistic Missiles from a single transporter erector launcher (TEL) which an avoid any tactical anti-ballistic missile (ABM) system in the area and still deliver tactical nuclear warhead.

The  Short Range Surface to Surface Multi Tube Hatf IX (NASR) Ballistic Missile is a quick response system which offers Pakistan with “shoot-and-scoot’’ nuclear delivery capability to a distance of 60 kilometers.

Hatf IX NASR  is designed with capability to maneuver throughout its flight to defeat Anti ballistic Missile systems.

Hatf IX NASR is equipped with electro optical homing seeker for terminal guidance to achieve extremely low Circular Error Probable (CEP).

Chairman Joint Chiefs of Staff Committee General Khalid Shameem Wayne inaugurated these Network Centric enabled Command and Control Centres. Chief of the Naval Staff,  Admiral Mohammad Asif Sandila and Director General Strategic Plans Division, Lieutenant General (Retd) Khalid Ahmed Kidwai were also present on these occasions.

Pakistan today conducted a successful test fire of Short Range Surface to Surface Missile Hatf IX (NASR). The test fire was conducted with successive launches of two missiles from a state of the art multi tube launcher. NASR, with a range of 60 km, and inflight maneuver capability can carry nuclear warheads of appropriate yield, with high accuracy. 

This quick response system, which can fire a four Missile Salvo ensures deterrence against threats in view of evolving scenarios. Additionally NASR has been specially designed to defeat all known Anti Tactical Missile Defence Systems.

In an impressive ceremony, a batch of 450 security soldiers of the Strategic Plans Division passed out from the Frontier Force Regimental Centre at Abbotabad today. Commander Army Strategic Force Command (ASFC) Lt General Tariq Nadeem Gilani was the Chief Guest. 

General Khalid Shameem Wynne, Chairman Joint Chiefs of Staff Committee witnessed security exercise of Special Response Force of the Strategic Plans Division.

Exercise was aimed at reviewing enhanced measures. General Khalid Shameem Wynne appreciated the skills, expertise and professionalism of participating troops and expressed complete confidence in their capabilities.

Pakistan on Thursday, May 10, 2012 conducted a successful training launch of Short Range Ballistic Missile Hatf III (Ghaznavi), which can carry nuclear and conventional warheads to a range of 290 kilometers. The launch was conducted at the conclusion of the annual field training exercise of Army Strategic Force Command.

 The exercise was aimed at testing the operational readiness of a Strategic Missile Group. The field exercise of the ASFC was witnessed by the Chairman Joint Chiefs of Staff Committee General Khalid Shameem Wynne, Director General Strategic Plans Division Lieutenant General Khalid Ahmed Kidwai (R), Commander Army Strategic Force Command Lieutenant General Tariq Nadeem Gilani, Commander Karachi Corps Lieutenant General Muhammad Ijaz Chaudhry, Chairman NESCOM Mr Muhammad Irfan Burney, and other senior military officials and scientists.

 Addressing the troops in the exercise area, the CJCSC commended the troops on displaying a high standard of proficiency in handling and operating the state of the art weapon system. He said that the nation had developed a strong nuclear deterrence capability and expected that the officers and men entrusted with the task of deterring aggression would continue to train hard and maintain professional excellence.

 He said that Pakistan’s Armed Forces were fully capable of safeguarding Pakistan’s security against aggression. The successful test has also been warmly appreciated by the President and Prime Minister of Pakistan, who have congratulated the participating ASFC troops, the scientists and the engineers on their outstanding success. ISPR

By: S M Hali 

Pakistan Naval (PN) Chief Admiral Asif Sandila, in an interview to the US weekly, Defense News, responding to a question regarding the threat Pakistan faces from an Indian nuclear-powered, nuclear-armed ballistic submarine upsetting the current strategic balance in South Asia, stated that “The strategic dimension of India’s naval build-up is a cause of concern not only for us but for the entire Indian Ocean region.”

Indian Navy (IN), in effect, is on a massive upsurge plan to build a blue water armada. Its colossal development plans include the acquisition of both indigenous and leased nuclear powered submarines and various other platforms capable of launching nuclear weapons to complete its triad i.e. delivering nuclear weapons from the air, surface and sub-surface thus confirming its second strike capability. India’s initiation to nuclear subs came with its acquisition of a Chakra class nuclear submarine from former USSR in 1987 on 10 years lease.

  The invaluable experience led to its desire for the development of indigenous nuclear submarines under the head of Advanced Technology Vessels (ATV) at Shipping Centre Vishakhapatnam in 1998.  Indian scientists claimed that they have been able to fit an indigenous Pressurized Water Reactor (PWR) of 90 MW in the ATV’s hull.  However, it is assessed that the PWR has been acquired from Russia.  By mid 96, an amount of US$ 185.7 million was spent on ATV project and the cost has now escalated to US$ 3.7 billion.

At present, India has 14 active submarines in the fleet whereas IN has contracted France for 6 Scorpene submarines.  These subs are being constructed in Indian shipyard and are likely to be inducted in Indian fleet by 2018.  The Defence Committee of India has also approved procurement of 6 more conventional Submarines in addition to the six already being built with the help of France. The PWR of India’s first indigenously developed ATV, INS/M Arihant went active last year, while its sea trials are completing soon and Arihant’s induction is expected by end 2012.  Simultaneously, fabrication work on the three follow-on nuclear-powered submarines is in full swing whereas, the reactor for the 2nd S/M is being constructed with the help of Russia.  The 2nd INS/M Aridhaman is expected to be ready for sea trials by 2015.  The IN nuclear subs are to be armed initially with the 750 km Sagarika (K-15) Submarine Launched Ballistic Missiles (SLBM) and at a later stage with the under-development 3,500 km K-4 SLBMs.  INS/M Arihant has four silos to carry twelve 750 km range, Sagarika SLBM or four K-4s.  Meanwhile, IN has acquired two Russian Akula-II class nuclear submarines on lease from Russia because it wants to have three SSBNs and six SSNs (Nuclear-powered Attack Submarines) in the long term.  It is envisaged that by 2025 India will have around 30 conventional Submarines in her flotilla.

The induction of the nuclear submarines in the Indian Ocean will have serious implications for the region. It is going to elevate the international status of India amongst regional and extra regional nations/navies, while the existing security calculus in Arabian Sea vis-à-vis PN will significantly shift in the favour of IN. The threat to Chinese, Australian, Indonesian and other regional navies will increase multifold. Nuclear submarines provide the reach to attack the adversary in far flung waters across the globe as well as remain undetected under water at great depths for prolonged periods, without needing to come up to the surface for recharging its batteries or refueling. Operationally, they will act as a force multiplier armed with nuclear tipped missiles, their induction will further enhance IN’s capabilities to strike inside Pakistan while staying well away from Pakistani coast line.

IN’s other acquisitions include the aircraft carrier Admiral Gorshkov, renamed as INS Vikramaditya with 16 MiG-29K/KUBs and 6 to 8 Ka-31 AEW helicopters. India is also constructing 3 Indigenous Aircraft Carriers for the IN. It also plans to construct 3 destroyers of Kolkata class and Guided Missile Frigate’s, four ASW Corvettes, four 4 Saryu class Operational Patrol Vessels, four Landing Platform Docks, and acquire two Osprey Class Mine Hunters and eight P8-I Long Range Maritime Patrol Aircraft from USA, besides developing additional strategic naval bases.

In the face of such a massive build-up, PN has its task cut out. It cannot match IN ship to ship but the Pakistani Naval Chief in his interview stated “We are mindful of this development and taking necessary measures to restore the strategic balance.” The nation thus needs to invest prudently into building its navy.

Email: sultanm.hali@gmail.com

ISI Chief, Lt Gen Ahmed Shuja Pasha is considered as most likely candidate to  replace Lt Gen (r) Khalid Kidwai, who has led the Strategic Plans Division for over a decade.

Russia has handed over the Project 971 Akula II class, "К-152 Nerpa" nuclear-powered attack submarine to the Indian Navy (IN) on a ten year lease at a cost of over USD 900 million at the Russian port of Vladivostok.

The "К-152 Nerpa" nuclear-powered attack submarine will become first operational nuclear submarine to be operated by Indian Navy in last two decades.

Indian Navy had operated Charlie class nuclear powered cruise missile submarine under lease from the Soviet Navy between 1988 and 1991 which helped Indian in the development of the Arihant (Slayer of Enemies) nuclear-powered ballistic missile submarine.

The design of the Indian Arihant nuclear-powered ballistic missile submarine is based on the Russian Charlie class nuclear powered cruise missile submarine and it can can carry up to twelve K-15 Sagarika submarine-launched ballistic missile (SLBM) with range of 750 kilometers.

The К-152 Nerpa nuclear-powered attack submarine will be renamed by the Indian Navy as Charlie II nuclear submarine. The Charlie II nuclear-powered attack submarine was scheduled to be handed over to  IN in 2009 but accident in the Sea of Japan in November 2008 resulted in the death of twenty sailors on board during its trials which delayed the delivery.

As part of Confidence Building Measures (CBMs), Pakistan and has agreed to extend the agreements related to the ballistic missile testing and risk reduction from accidents related to nuclear weapons for another five years.

These decisions were taken after two day discussions about the possible missile, nuclear and conventional CBMs.

Additional Secretaries of Pakistan and India will hold nuclear and conventional Confidence Building Measures (CBMs) discussions on December 26- 27 after a  four year gap. Last such discussions were held on October 14, 2007.

India had agreed for the discussions on nuclear CBMs in during the visit of the Pakistani foreign minister, Hina Rabbani Khar to the New Delhi.

Chief of the Naval Staff of the Indian Navy, Admiral Nirmal Kumar Verma has said that INS Arihant nuclear-powered ballistic missile submarine will complete its sea trails before it is declared ready for for operational deployment by the end of next year.