India Fifth Nation to Have Undersea Ballistic Missile.

Pakistan on Wednesday said India`s test launch of a nuclear-capable undersea ballistic missile could trigger a fresh arms race in the region.

A day after India tested the new missile from waters off its Vishakahpatnam coast, Pakistan Navy Chief Admiral Muhammad Afzal Tahir described the development as a "very serious issue" as it was aimed at deploying nuclear weapons at sea.

Speaking to reporters on the sidelines of a function at the shipyard here, Tahir said: "well my reaction is that this is going to start a new arms race in the region. We are aware of these developments, which are taking place with a view to put nuclear weapons at sea and this is a very serious issue."

He said the testing of the new missile would have an impact on the entire region. The Pakistan Navy is tracking India`s Missile Development Programme and will take steps to counter the impact of the testing of the undersea missile, he said.

The Indian undersea missile, codenamed K-15, has a range of 700 km and was fired from a pontoon immersed in the sea as India did not have a submarine for such an exercise.

India is the fifth country after the US, Russia, France and China to possess such a capability. The launch of the K-15 will enhance India`s nuclear deterrence, as sea-launched missiles will be a crucial part of the country`s second-strike capability.