NEW DELHI: Pakistan’s acquisition of an unspecified number of M11 ballistic missiles will leave India without any option but to precede with its expensive missile development programmes and build an effective deterrent, according to defense experts here.

Introduction of these missiles with Chinese support in this region may pose a serious threat to India’s security as a fool-proof defense system against missile threats was not available, they said.

Pakistan’s acquisition of M11 would also encourage a missile race in the region, they said.

Several north Indian cities would not directly come under the target range of Chinese-made surface-to-surface M11 ballistic missiles, they said.

Pakistan has acquired an unspecified number of M11 missiles, which have a 300 km range. But experts say this range could be modified to travel longer distances like the Iraqis did with the Soviet-made Scud missiles.

The threat from any missile depends on three factors — accuracy, the nature of warhead carried by the missile and the number of missiles. According to sources, unlike the Scud missiles, the M-11 missiles have better guidance system which could guide the missile within meters of the target.

Anza, Pakistan’s surface-to-air missile, developed with Chinese technology, is also another milestone in Pakistan-China military relationship, the experts said.

Another 800 km missile of unknown designation is under development by the space and upper atmosphere research commission of Pakistan.

Considering the Pakistani nuclear weapons program, these Pakistani missiles have the option of nuclear or conventional counter-force targeting capabilities ranging within arcs extending from Bombay-Pune in the western state of Maharashtra, Bhopal (Madhya Pradesh in central India) toJhansi and Etawah-Sitapur in the northern Uttar Pradesh state, the experts said.

The Hatf-I and Hatf-II would be operational in about the same timeframe as India’s Prithvi missile, which has a 250 km range.

The emergence of China as a major supplier of ballistic missile technology can alter the power balance in south Asia and would pressure others to acquire the missiles leading to tension in the region.

The experts said Chinese military planners have been concerned about India’s defense modernization programs since the 1980’s and India’s attempts to project its powers beyond its boundaries.

Article extracted from this publication >> July 5, 1991