Experts question authenticity of Pakistan's missile launch

Babur-3 is a Submarine-Launched Cruise Missile (SLCM), a sea-variant of 'Ground Launched Cruise Missile', that Pakistan successfully tested in December 2016.

Babur-3 features state-of-the-art technology which includes controlled underwater propulsion, advanced navigation/guidance features consolidated by Global Navigation, Scene Matching Systems and Terrain.

The missile can evade hostile radars and air defenses and is capable of terrain hugging and sea skimming flight.

Earlier today, Pakistan successfully test-fired a 'Submarine-launched cruise missile', Babur-3 for the first time.

The launch was conducted from an undisclosed location in the Indian ocean: the missile has the capacity of carrying a nuclear warhead for up to 450km.

Pakistani military said in a statement: "Pakistan eyes this hallmark development as a step towards reinforcing the policy of credible minimum deterrence".

According to the military's press release, Babur-3, was fired from a mobile platform located underwater and the missile hit its target with precision.

The statement added that in a land-attack, Babur-3, was capable of delivering varied payloads and empowers Pakistan with "credible second-strike capability, augmenting deterrence."

Further, this attainment of a second-strike capability is a "major scientific milestone for Pakistan."

Indian experts have questioned the authenticity of the Babur-3 sea launch conducted by Pakistan recently.

An Indian satellite imagery expert stated that the video of the launch seemed to have been doctored and that the video editing and CGI were involved in making the video seem real.

However, Indian officials have declined to comment on the matter so far.