The Diplomat- The emphasis on ballistic missile defense comes as India anticipates the delivery of S-400 air defense systems from Russia by October 2020. The Russian system, depending on its configuration, is capable of conducting endo- and exoatmospheric interceptions of ballistic and cruise missiles.
The test was “was aimed at testing the extreme inflight maneuverability, including the end flight maneuverability,” a statement released by Pakistan’s Inter-Services Public Relations noted. The Nasr was “capable of defeating, by assured penetration, any currently available BMD (ballistic missile defense) system in our neighborhood or any other system under procurement / development,” the statement added.
On January 31, Pakistan’s Army Strategic Forces Command conducted a test of its Nasr/Hatf-IX nuclear-capable, close-range ballistic missile. The test was the second involving the Nasr to take place in January 2019.
