Pakistan successfully test fires Hatf 4 Shaheen-I Alpha missile
By Mudasser Aziz - Apr 25th, 2012Islamabad: Pakistan on Wednesday successfully test-fired a medium-range ballistic missile Hatf-4 Shaheen-1 Alpha, the Inter Services Public Relation (ISPR) said.
The ISPR said that the Strategic Missile Group had launched the Shaheen-1 Alpha missile on Wednesday from an undisclosed location while its target was in sea.
“The scientists have improved the range and technical parameters of the missile while it is also capable of carrying nuclear warhead,” the ISPR said.
It may be recalled that the Shaheen-1 Ballistic Missile System, with a range of 700 kms, is an operationalised weapon system held by the ASFC and is routinely fired during training exercises by the troops of the ASFC.
The missile test was aimed at a target at sea. The ISPR said the new design implemented "improvements in range and technical parameters". General Khalid Kidwai, the director general of the Pakistan army's Strategic Plans Division, witnessed the test, saying "the improved version of Shaheen 1A will further consolidate and strengthen Pakistan's deterrence abilities", according to the ISPR statement.
President of Pakistan Asif Ali Zardari and Prime Minister Yousuf Raza Gilani have also congratulated the scientists on successful launch of the missile.