One defence analyst has suggested Pakistan will work with China to develop similar technology of its own, which would leave both sides – which have clashed frequently in recent years – under enormous pressure to launch pre-emptive missile strikes in times of “deep crisis”. An analysis from Jane’s by IHS Markit suggested India had already invested heavily in hypersonic technology, referring to missiles which can travel and many times the speed of sound and hit targets much more quickly, and was likely to continue doing so.
Programs include Shourya, Brahmos II and Hypersonic Technology Demonstrating Vehicle (HSTDV), with India collaborating with Vladimir Putin’s Russia to develop Bramhos II.
A spokesman for the Jane’s by IHS Markit weapons team told Express.co.uk: “Most important cities (Islamabad, Lahore, Karachi) of Pakistan are not very far from the Indian border.
“The current version of the supersonic Brahmos itself is potent and will hit these targets within minutes of launch. A hypersonic weapon (Bramhos II) would reduce this time further.
Tensions are high between Narendra Modi’s India and Imran Khan’s Pakistan (Image: GETTY)
Protesters in Pakistan burn a flag with a picture of Narendra Modi on it (Image: GETTY)
“Pakistan will take time to acquire a similar hypersonic weapon. They are currently in an economically weak position to aggressively pursue such a development programme or acquisition.
“Saying that, India is currently developing the system (with cooperation from Russia) and many challenges exist before realising one.
“However, it is primarily developing for sea/naval applications to defend time-critical assets or offensive against potential targets.
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A mock missile, dubbed the Pakistan Islamic Atomic Bomb, is paraded through the streets of Karachi (Image: GETTY)
“In addition, both China and India practices (as in their doctrine) defensive measures/actions, but with the lack of proliferation control measures this may upset regional offense-defence balances, especially Chinese inclination towards Pakistan (unlikely for near term on the hypersonic weapons) is of major concern for India.”
“Along with the Chinese hypersonic push, India’s effort should concern Defence Analysts for the regional balance/peace.
Frank O’Donnell, a South Asia expert at the US Naval War College, speaking in his personal capacity, told Express.co.uk: “India is currently developing and fielding Brahmos hypersonic missiles that can be variably launched from land, sea, and air.
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Pakistan forces shot down two Indian jets earlier this year (Image: GETTY)
A graph showing relative levels of hypersonic spending (Image: Jane’s by IHS Markit)
“The unprecedented speed of these missiles, combined with their high precision, poses significant difficulty for enemy air defenses in preventing such strikes.
“Pakistan does not presently deploy hypersonic missiles, meaning that it is vulnerable to such attacks. Of especial concern is the Brahmos II(K) variant, which is designed to penetrate hardened military targets like nuclear command-and-control and force bunkers.”
Mr O’Donnell said China, which has spent $1.5billion on development of hypersonics according to the Jane’s analysis, would likely to step in.
The conventional Brahmos weapon system during a parade in Rajpath (Image: GETTY)
Once these are in place, the high difficulty of stopping hypersonic missile attacks will pressure policymakers in episodes of deep crisis to launch such a missile strike before the other does, destroying the enemy’s hypersonic missiles on the ground
He explained: “Following its long-term trend of military technological assistance with Pakistan to ensure that Pakistan has rough military parity with India, it is likely that China is working with Pakistan on hypersonic missiles.”
However, he said as well as restoring the balance of power, such a move was fraught with risk.
Mr O’Donnell explained: “Once these are in place, the high difficulty of stopping hypersonic missile attacks will pressure policymakers in episodes of deep crisis to launch such a missile strike before the other does, destroying the enemy’s hypersonic missiles on the ground. The emerging regional hypersonic missile race will exacerbate its existing nuclear arms race, unless India, China and Pakistan begin to negotiate arms control measures regarding these technologies.”
Both India and Pakistan are among eight countries to possess nuclear weapons (Image: Daily Express)
Tensions between India and Pakistan have increased in recent months in the wake of a terror attack by militants in the disputed Kashmir region in February which claimed the lives of 44 paramilitary police.
India then launched air strikes on what it called “terror camps” inside Pakistan, with Islamabad responding by shooting down two Indian jets in Kashmir.
Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi upped the stakes earlier this month after revoking Article 370, the section of the Indian constitution which guarantees special status to Kashmir and neighbouring Jammu – a move Pakistan’s Prime Minister Imran Khan described as a “historic blunder”.