India and Pakistan continue race to sharpen their weapons to kill
[As the 10th anniversary of Nuclear tests by India and Pakistan in May of 1998 approaches. They keep up their race to develop their nuclear arms delivery systems. An unending stream of Missile tests has continued. On the 7th May the Indians tested aand not to be left behind the Pakistani tested on the 8th of May 2008. Millions are being spent by the two while an overwhelming majority of their citizens remain live in dire poverty. See news reports from the BBC re the two tests -SAPW]
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BBC News
8 May 2008 07:14 UK
Pakistan tests ballistic missile
Hatf missile
The missile can deliver all types of warheads
Pakistan has carried out a second successful test of a cruise missile capable of carrying nuclear weapons, its military said.
Hatf-VIII (or Raad, "thunder" in Arabic) was first tested last year.
It has a range of 350km (220 miles) and it has been developed exclusively for launch from the air.
On Wednesday, India tested a ballistic missile with a range of over 3000km (1,865 miles). The two neighbours routinely carry out missile tests.
Tension between Pakistan and India has decreased in recent years amid a series of bilateral overtures.
"It (Hatf-VIII) has enabled Pakistan to achieve a greater strategic stand-off capability on land and at sea," a statement from the Pakistan military said.
"The missile test is part of a continuing process of validating the design parameters of the weapon system."
Hatf-VIII was first tested in August last year. Experts say several tests are required before any missile can be deployed.
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BBC News
7 May 2008 07:10 UK
India launches ballistic missile
By Subir Bhaumik
BBC News, Calcutta
Agni III missile on parade in Delhi
India's Agni missiles increase military reach
India has test-fired its longest-range nuclear-capable ballistic missile, Agni-III, officials said.
The surface-to-surface missile was test-fired off the coast of Orissa state in eastern India.
With a range of more than 3,000km (1,865 miles), the missile could hit targets as far off as Beijing and Shanghai, analysts say.
The Agni-III is India's most sophisticated long-range missile. It was successfully test-fired last year.
The first attempt to test the missile in July 2006 failed after it developed a snag during the flight and came crashing down into the Bay of Bengal.
The missile was re-configured for the second launch in April 2007.
Boost capability
Indian defence spokesman Group Captain Ramesh Kumar Das said the latest test was launched from the interim test range at the Wheeler's Island in the Bay of Bengal.
The intermediate range ballistic missile is capable of carrying a 1.5-tonne nuclear payload.
When deployed, it will boost India's second-strike capability as it can be launched from anywhere using a mobile launcher.
It will need a few more tests before it can be inducted into the armed forces, Group Captain Das said.
Possession of the Agni-III will give India deep strike capability because it would have Chinese cities like Beijing and Shanghai and the US island base of Diego Garcia in the Indian Ocean well within its striking range.
The Agni-II missile, already tested and deployed, has a range of 2,000km (1,243 miles).
The Agni-1 has a range of 750km (466 miles).
The Agni (literally "fire" in Hindi and Sanskrit) missile family is believed to be the mainstay of the Indian missile-based strategic nuclear deterrence, Group Captain Das said.
He said the Agni family would continue to expand its stable, providing a breadth of payload and range capabilities.
o o o
BBC News
8 May 2008 07:14 UK
Pakistan tests ballistic missile
Hatf missile
The missile can deliver all types of warheads
Pakistan has carried out a second successful test of a cruise missile capable of carrying nuclear weapons, its military said.
Hatf-VIII (or Raad, "thunder" in Arabic) was first tested last year.
It has a range of 350km (220 miles) and it has been developed exclusively for launch from the air.
On Wednesday, India tested a ballistic missile with a range of over 3000km (1,865 miles). The two neighbours routinely carry out missile tests.
Tension between Pakistan and India has decreased in recent years amid a series of bilateral overtures.
"It (Hatf-VIII) has enabled Pakistan to achieve a greater strategic stand-off capability on land and at sea," a statement from the Pakistan military said.
"The missile test is part of a continuing process of validating the design parameters of the weapon system."
Hatf-VIII was first tested in August last year. Experts say several tests are required before any missile can be deployed.
o o o
BBC News
7 May 2008 07:10 UK
India launches ballistic missile
By Subir Bhaumik
BBC News, Calcutta
Agni III missile on parade in Delhi
India's Agni missiles increase military reach
India has test-fired its longest-range nuclear-capable ballistic missile, Agni-III, officials said.
The surface-to-surface missile was test-fired off the coast of Orissa state in eastern India.
With a range of more than 3,000km (1,865 miles), the missile could hit targets as far off as Beijing and Shanghai, analysts say.
The Agni-III is India's most sophisticated long-range missile. It was successfully test-fired last year.
The first attempt to test the missile in July 2006 failed after it developed a snag during the flight and came crashing down into the Bay of Bengal.
The missile was re-configured for the second launch in April 2007.
Boost capability
Indian defence spokesman Group Captain Ramesh Kumar Das said the latest test was launched from the interim test range at the Wheeler's Island in the Bay of Bengal.
The intermediate range ballistic missile is capable of carrying a 1.5-tonne nuclear payload.
When deployed, it will boost India's second-strike capability as it can be launched from anywhere using a mobile launcher.
It will need a few more tests before it can be inducted into the armed forces, Group Captain Das said.
Possession of the Agni-III will give India deep strike capability because it would have Chinese cities like Beijing and Shanghai and the US island base of Diego Garcia in the Indian Ocean well within its striking range.
The Agni-II missile, already tested and deployed, has a range of 2,000km (1,243 miles).
The Agni-1 has a range of 750km (466 miles).
The Agni (literally "fire" in Hindi and Sanskrit) missile family is believed to be the mainstay of the Indian missile-based strategic nuclear deterrence, Group Captain Das said.
He said the Agni family would continue to expand its stable, providing a breadth of payload and range capabilities.
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