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Pakistan’s military on Thursday, May 08, 2008 revealed that the country has carried out a successful test of Hatf VIII or Raad, early on the same day. The cruise missile is capable of carrying nuclear weapons, according to Pakistan’s defense sources. Hatf VIII or Raad meaning thunder has a range of 220 miles (350 km) and has been exclusively developed to be launched from the air.
The Pakistan military after the test issued the statement that Hatf VIII has enabled Pakistan to achieve a greater strategic stand-off capability on land and at sea. Hatf VIII was first tested in August last year. The military statement further revealed that Raad was a low-altitude, terrain following missile and could deliver all types of warheads "with great accuracy". President Pervez Musharraf and Prime Minister Yousaf Raza Gilani congratulated scientists and engineers on their success in the test. Pakistan’s test of Hatf VIII comes a day after India successfully tested its long range Agni-III missile.
