The Exocet missile series of French short-range anti-ship cruise missile. There are six Exocet variants, which differ by their launch platforms and levels of modernization. These are the MM38, MM40, MM40 Block 2, and MM40 Block 3 sea- and ground-launched models, the AM39 air-launched model, and the SM39 sub-launched variant. Exocet Development The original Exocet missile,...
The Ababeel is Pakistan’s first surface-to-surface medium range ballistic missile (MRBM), reportedly capable of carrying Multiple Independently Targetable Re-entry Vehicles (MIRVs). The three-stage, solid-fuel missile was unveiled in a test on January 24, 2017. Ababeel Development Development of the Ababeel most likely began during the mid to late 2000s. Its basic design shares many characteristics...
The Shaheen 3 missile is a two-stage, solid-fueled medium-range ballistic missile in development by Pakistan. The missile is reportedly capable of carrying both nuclear and conventional payloads to a range of 2,750 km, which would make it the longest range missile in Pakistan’s strategic arsenal. It was first publicly displayed during a military parade in...
The Nasr (Hatf 9) is a Pakistani short-range ballistic missile with a range of 60 – 70 km. Pakistan first revealed the missile in April 2011 as a “quick response” nuclear delivery system. It is derived from China’s WS-2 tactical rocket and was first revealed in April 2011. Nasr development Pakistan reportedly began developing the...
The Ra’ad (Hatf 8) is an air-launched cruise missile developed by Pakistan. The turbo-jet powered missile can reportedly range 350 km Hatf 8 Development Pakistan reportedly began testing the Hatf 8 in August 2007 and has conducted several additional tests since then, including a reportedly successful flight in January 2016. The Hatf 8’s appearance suggests...
The Babur (Hatf 7) is a Pakistani ground-launched cruise missile. In upgraded forms, it has a range of up to 700 km and can deliver nuclear and conventional payloads. Babur Development Pakistan began developing the Babur missile in the 1990s in response to India’s nascent cruise missile program. In a surprise to the U.S. intelligence community,...
The Shaheen 2 (Hatf 6) is a Pakistani medium-range ballistic missile. It appears to be a two-stage version of the Shaheen 1 design, using a modified Shaheen 1 stage as the second stage motor and RV. It is believed that the Shaheen 2 is derived from the People’s Republic of China (PRC)-developed M-18, though this...
The Ghauri (Hatf 5) is a Pakistani medium-range, road-mobile, liquid-fueled ballistic missile. It can carry a 700 kg warhead up to 1,500 km. Hatf 5’s range and nuclear capability give it the ability to hold targets deep within Indian territory at risk, making it a core part of Pakistan’s strategic missile forces. Hatf 5 Development The...
The Shaheen 1 (Hatf 4) is a Pakistani-Chinese short-range ballistic missile. It can launch a payload of 700 – 1,000 kg to ranges of up to 700 km, and its extended-range variant, the Shaheen 1A, ranges up to 900 km. The missile was developed with Chinese technical assistance, and analysts suggest its design may derive...
The Ghaznavi (Hatf 3) is a Pakistani short-range ballistic missile. It has a range of 300 km and is directly derived from China’s DF-11 short-range ballistic missile. Pakistan received significant technical assistance and over 30 DF-11 missiles from China through the early 1990s. Ghaznavi Development Pakistan originally began developing the Ghaznavi/Hatf-3 in 1987, but terminated...
The Abdali (Hatf 2) is a short-range, road-mobile, solid propellant missile that entered service in 2005. Hatf 2 Development The Hatf 2 was originally designed as a two-stage version of the Hatf 1, and was essentially a solid propellant stage attached to the bottom of a Hatf 1. However, those plans were discarded, and a...
The Hatf 1 is a short-range, road-mobile, solid-fueled ballistic missile. There are three versions: the 1, 1A, and 1B. Hatf 1 Development Pakistan first revealed the Hatf 1 missile in 1989. The missile and its variants were likely developed with French and Chinese assistance. The missile body is directly derived from France’s Eridan sounding rocket,...
Pakistan’s missile arsenal forms an important part of its defense strategy for offsetting the significant conventional military advantages of its main rival, India. Pakistan’s arsenal consists primarily of mobile short- and medium-range ballistic missiles, but it is also making strides in its cruise missile capability. Pakistan’s combined strategic forces allows it to target almost any...
