The State Department asked Pakistan and "other countries in the region" to restrain nuclear and missile programs, in a reference to Islamabad's arch-rival India.

Spokesman Richard Boucher said Washington had also encouraged both sides to begin a confidence-building dialogue to reduce the likelihood that nuclear weapons would ever be used.

"Both sides have tested missiles ... each side has the same obligations," he said.

Pakistan, a key US anti-terror ally, earlier said it successfully test-fired a medium-range surface-to-surface Hatf IV/Shaheen 1 ballistic missile.

The Shaheen 1 can carry any type of warhead up to 700 kilometersmiles), which means it could send a nuclear payload deep into India.

A Pakistani military statement said the series of three tests which began October 3 was complete "for now," foreshadowing future longer-range missile tests.

India Friday formalised a deal with Israel to buy the billion-dollar Phalcon airborne early warning radar surveillance system.

Pakistan has expressed alarm over the purchase, believing it will enable India to watch every plane and missile take off in Pakistan.

Pakistan and India went public as nuclear powers in May 1998 when they both conducted nuclear tests.

They have fought three wars since Pakistan's creation in 1947 and last year were on the brink of a fourth war which many feared would turn into the world's first nuclear conflict.

SPACE.WIRE