Pakistan successfully test-fires cruise missile

Pakistan on Friday successfully test-fired Hatf-VII cruise missile, according to an Inter Services Public Relations (ISPR) press release.The statement said the indigenously developed missile has a range of 700 kilometers. The missile can carry both nuclear and conventional warheads and has stealth capabilities. It also incorporates the most modern cruise missile technology of Terrain Contour Matching (TERCOM) and Digital Scene Matching and Area Co-relation (DSMAC). A special feature of the test was the validation of a new multi tube Missile Launch Vehicle (MLV). The test was witnessed by Chairman Joint Chiefs of Staff Committee General Khalid Shamim Wynne, Director General Strategic Plans Division Lieutenant General (Retd) Khalid Ahmed Kidwai, Commander Army Strategic Force Command Lieutenant General Tariq Nadeem Gilani and Chairman National Engineering and Scientific Commission (NESCOM) Muhammad Irfan Burney, senior officers and from the armed forces and strategic organizations, scientists and engineers. The test has also been appreciated by President Asif Ali Zardari and Prime Minister Yousuf Raza Gilani, who have congratulated the scientists and engineers on their outstanding success.