ISLAMABAD: The Pakistan army said on Tuesday it had successfully tested an “enhanced range version” of the indigenously developed Babur Cruise Missile 1B, a show of force for a country that sees its missile development as a deterrent against arch-foe India.

The nuclear-armed neighbors have fought three wars since independence from Britain in 1947. Both nations have been developing missiles of varying ranges since they conducted nuclear tests in May 1998.

Tuesday’s launch ceremony was witnessed by Lt. Gen. Nadeem Zaki Manj, the Director General of the Strategic Plans Division, Dr. Raza Samar, Chairman National Engineering and Scientific Commission, Lt. Gen. Muhammad Ali, Commander Army Strategic Force Command, senior officers from the Strategic Plans Division, strategic forces, scientists and engineers of strategic organizations. 

“Director General, Strategic Plans Division, congratulated the scientists and engineers on achieving excellence in the domain of cruise missile technology and expressed his full confidence that this test will further strengthen Pakistan’s Strategic Deterrence,” the Pakistan army said in a statement.

“The President, Prime Minister of Pakistan, Chairman Joint Chiefs of Staff Committee and Services Chiefs have also congratulated the scientists and engineers on conduct of successful launch.”

Analysts warn Asia may be sliding into an accelerating arms race as India and Pakistan continue to build their military armors and countries react to China’s military growth and tensions around North Korea’s weapons programs linger.

India has a “no first use” nuclear policy, meaning it has pledged to not strike first. It aims to make retaliatory strikes so powerful that an opponent would be unable to strike back.

Pakistan has not stated a “no first use” policy and there is little known about its nuclear doctrine.