ISLAMABAD: Pakistan said it had successfully test-fired Friday a stealth cruise missile capable of carrying nuclear warheads.

The military said the “Hatf VII” missile had a range of 700 kilometres (438 miles) and was a “low-flying, terrain-hugging missile with high manoeuvrability, pin-point accuracy and radar avoidance features”.

Capable of carrying nuclear warheads, the military said the special feature of Friday's launch was the validation of a new multi-tube missile launch vehicle (MLV).

“The three tube MLV enhances manifold (times) the targeting and deployment options in the conventional and nuclear modes,” the military said.

Pakistan carried out nuclear tests in May 1998 just days after similar tests by its old rival India, Reuters reported.

The South Asian nations have fought three wars since independence in 1947.

They carry out missile tests regularly and Friday’s exercise was not expected to lead to any increase in tension between them.