Pakistan launches two new sea-based missiles

ISLAMABAD Ñ Pakistan has launched two new sea-based missiles. The navy test-fired the SM-39 sea-to-sea missile from the Agosta 90-B submarine, the PNSM Khalid. The missile is meant for use against submarines and ships.

In another test on Saturday, the AM-39 was also launched in the Arabian Sea. The Teheran-based Islamic Republic News Agency said the AM-39, an air-launched version of the SM-39, was fired from a warplane.

In another development, Pakistan held a roll-out ceremony of the rebuilt F-6 warplane. Pakistani military ruler Gen. Pervez Musharraf said his nation's priority is weapons self-sufficiency.

The Chief of the Naval Staff, Admiral Abdul Aziz Mirza, who observed the test in the North Arabian Sea, some 80 nautical miles south-west of Karachi, applauded the results.

The Pakistan Navy is "committed to safeguarding the vital national interests at sea, and is firm in its resolve to defend the motherland from aggression," he said.

Captain Zafar Iqbal, said that missiles were commissioned in September 1999 and this was the first test of the AM-39 conducted from that platform.

Capt Iqbal said that successful firing of SM-39 from a submerged submarine had added tremendously to the anti-surface capabilities of Pakistan Navy.

Referring to the second missile, he said that AM-39 was fired from a recently modernized Pakistan Navy Atlantic, which had been retrofitted with state-of-the-art sensors.