Pakistan Analyst Calls for more Ababeel missiles after India’s Agni-V MIRV Test

SOURCE: AFI

A recent commentary by Dr. Zafar Nawaz Jaspal, a Pakistani analyst and professor, sheds light on how Pakistan perceives India’s successful test of the Agni-V missile equipped with Multiple Independently Targetable Reentry Vehicle (MIRV) technology.

Dr. Jaspal, writing for Arab News, expresses concern over the implications of this test for Pakistan’s security. He argues that the MIRV technology increases India’s offensive capabilities, bringing cities like Beijing, Shanghai, and Islamabad within range of a single missile launch.

Dr. Jaspal emphasizes that while India already possessed the capability to strike anywhere in Pakistan with its existing missile arsenal, the MIRV technology adds a new layer of complexity. The ability to deliver multiple warheads from a single missile complicates Pakistan’s defensive measures.

Dr. Jaspal highlights the risk of a missile race escalating in the region. India’s advancements in missile defense systems, particularly those capable of intercepting Pakistan’s Shaheen missiles, are seen as a driver for Pakistan to develop its own MIRV technology. This, Dr. Jaspal suggests, could further destabilize the regional security balance.

Dr. Jaspal concludes by suggesting that India’s MIRV and ballistic missile defense (BMD) capabilities might encourage Pakistan to accelerate its Ababeel missile program. This program aims to develop MIRV technology for Pakistani missiles. Dr. Jaspal argues that achieving strategic equilibrium is essential to deter conflict and maintain regional stability.