Beluga whales rescued in ‘high-risk’ operation

 Babur Hatf 7 Missile

The Babur Hatif 7 missile is a Pakistani ground lunched  missile . It has a range up to 700 km and can deliver nuclear and conventional payloads. 

Originated from Pakistan, Processed by Pakistan, Class Subsonic cruise missile submarine lunched.Length 6.2 metres, Diameter 0.52 meters. Lunch weight 1,500 kg. Payload single warhead 450 to 500 kg nuclear capable. Warhead 10- 35 kt nuclear He sub munitions. Propulsion Turbojet. Range 350- 700 km, status operational, in Service 2010-present.

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, Pakistan first tested the system in August 2005. Pakistan has conducted at least ten Babur flight tests through July 2014. The system reportedly entered service in 2010. The known launch vehicles have all been mobile, land-based platforms. Pakistan began testing a submarine-launched Babur variant, the Babur-III, in 2017.2

Specifications

The Babur is approximately 6.2 m long, 0.52 m in diameter, and possesses a 2.5 m wingspan. With a launch weight around 1,500 kg, it is capable of carrying a 450 kg payload 350 – 700 km. The missile is vertically launched with a solid-propellant rocket booster and employs a turbofan engine for its subsonic cruising flight. According to Pakistani officials, the missile features a terrain contour matching guidance system, and upgraded variants feature additional digital scene matching and satellite guidance. It can be equipped with either a single 10 or 35 kT nuclear warhead, or up to 450 kg worth of conventional explosives (HE unitary or submunitions).3

The Babur missile comes in several disclosed variants. On its inaugural flight test, Pakistani authorities disclosed a 500 km range estimate for the missile, and in 2012, Pakistan claimed that the baseline system could reach a 700 km range.4 Contemporary U.S. assessments estimated early Babur models’ range at 350 km.5 In 2016, Pakistan tested an “enhanced” Babur missile, Babur Weapon System Version 2, with a claimed range of 700 km, and enhanced navigation and avionics systems.6 In 2018, Pakistan tested a weapon described as the “Babur Weapon System-1(B),” which featured undisclosed improvements and a 700 km range.7 Pakistan additionally tested a “high precision” variant of the Babur, the Babur-1A, which it tested in 2021 to a range of 450 km.8

Nasar Hatf9 Ballistic Missile

 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.

On January 24, Pakistan test launched its Hatf 9 “Nasr” SRBM in a training exercise to “enhance the operational efficiency of the Army Strategic Forces Command,” according to a Pakistani Inter Services Public Relations (ISPR) press release. During the exercise, a salvo of four missiles was launched at ground targets. The Hatf 9 is reportedly.

Nasr (Hatf 9) at a Glance

ORIGINATED FROM

Pakistan

POSSESSED BY

Pakistan

ALTERNATE NAME

Nasr

CLASS

Short-Range Ballistic Missile (SRBM)

BASING

Road-mobile

LENGTH

6.0 m

DIAMETER

0.4 m

LAUNCH WEIGHT

1,200 kg

PAYLOAD

Single warhead, 400 kg

WARHEAD

Low-yield nuclear

PROPULSION

Single-stage solid propellant

RANGE

70 km

STATUS

In service

A Hatf 9 missile boosting from its launcher. Photo: ISPR Pakistan

A quad-packed Hatf 9 missile launcher. Photo: Pakistan media

Hatf 9 NasrA Hatf 9 in early flight.

Nasr development

Pakistan reportedly began developing the Nasr system in the mid-2000s, eventually selecting a design derived from the China Aerospace Science and Technology Corporation (CASC) WS-2 guided rocket. Pakistan first flight tested the Nasr in April 2011, with further tests in May 2012, February 2013, November 2013, September 2014, and July 2017.1 It reportedly entered service in 2013.

Specifications

Pakistani leaders have envisioned the Nasr as a tactical nuclear weapon to deter Indian conventional offensives.2 The single-stage, solid-fueled missile can range 60 km in its original form and, in 2017, was upgraded to range 70 km.3 It is carried on a four-axle transporter-erector-launcher (TEL) which can load up to four missile launch containers in a modular system.

On July 5, Pakistan test fired its short-range Nasr missile (HATF-9). Based on these tests, Pakistan’s military claims to have enhanced the rocket’s flight maneuverability and extended its range from 60 to 70 km. Pakistani officials emphasized the missile’s deterrent effect, saying “This weapon system will augment credible deterrence against prevailing threat spectrum more effectively, including anti-missile.

nasar-hatf9-ballistic-missile

Shaheen 3 Missile

 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.1 It was first publicly displayed during a military parade in March 2016.2 The Shaheen 3 is road-mobile and reportedly mounted on a Chinese transporter erector launcher.3

Shaheen 3 at a Glance

ORIGINATED FROM 

Pakistan

POSSESSED BY

 Pakistan 

CLASS Medium-Range Ballistic Missile (MRBM)BASINGRoad-mobileLENGTH19.3 m DIAMETER

1.4 mPAYLOADNuclear, conventionalPROPULSIONTwo-stage, Solid-propellantRANGE2,750 kmSTATUSIn development

Shaheen 3 Development

Pakistan first publicly displayed the Shaheen 3 in a military parade in March 2016.4 It is a road-mobile, medium-range ballistic missile (MRBM) mounted on a Chinese transporter erector launcher.5 Pakistan designed the Shaheed 3 to range further inland Indian targets.

Pakistan conducted at least two successful Shaheen 3 test flights in March and December 2015. 6

Some speculation suggests that Pakistan is also working to equip the Shaheen-3 with multiple independent reentry vehicles (MIRV) as a response to Indian attempts to develop a missile defense capability.7

Specifications

The Shaheed 3 is a two-stage, solid-fueled medium-range ballistic missile. It 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.Its 2,750 km range suggests modest improvement over the Hatf 6 (“Shaheen 2”), which can reportedly range between 2,000 and 2,500 km. The additional range allows the Shaheen 3 to target Andaman and Nicobar Islands in the Bay of Bengal, which is the sole reason for its development according to General Khalid Kidwai, the former head of the Strategic Plans Division.

Ababeel surface to surface Pakistan Missile

 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 at a Glance

ORIGINATED: FROM Pakistan

POSSESSED BY: Pakistan

CLASS: Medium-range ballistic missile (MRBM)BASINGRoad-mobile

LENGTH: UnknownDIAMETER1.7 m (est.)

WARHEAD: Nuclear, Conventional 

PAYLOAD Multiple independently targetable reentry vehicle (MIRV)PROPULSIONSolid-fuel 

RANGE: 2,200 kmSTATUSIn developmentIN SERVICEN/A

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 at a Glance

ORIGINATED FROM

Pakistan

POSSESSED BY

Pakistan

CLASS

Medium-range ballistic missile (MRBM)

BASING

Road-mobile

LENGTH

Unknown

DIAMETER

1.7 m (est.)

WARHEAD

Nuclear, Conventional

PAYLOAD

Multiple independently targetable reentry vehicle (MIRV)

PROPULSION

Solid-fuel

RANGE

2,200 km

STATUS

In development

IN SERVICE

N/A

An Ababeel test launch in January 2017. Photo: ISPR Pakistan

Ababeel Development

Development of the Ababeel most likely began during the mid to late 2000s. Its basic design shares many characteristics with Pakistan’s other solid fuel MRBMs, such as the Shaheen II and Shaheen III, as well as China’s CSS-7 SRBM. In 2010, the BBC reported that Pakistani engineers, with Chinese assistance, were “in the advance stages of developing MIRV technology.”1 MIRV, an acronym for multiple independently targetable reentry vehicles, is a technology that allows a single missile to carry multiple warheads, each individually programmed to attack different targets.

Flight Test

The Ababeel’s only known flight test took place on January 24, 2017. The missile was launched from a site in Winder, on the southern coast of Pakistan. Based on the missile flight range safety zone issued in a Notice to Mariners by the Pakstani Navy on January 21, 2017, one analyst noted the farthest distance the Ababeel could have flown was 1100 km at a maximum altitude of 500 km.2

This distance fell well short of the missile’s reported maximum range of 2,200 km, indicating that the test’s purpose could have been to evaluate other aspects of the missile’s design. A press release from Pakistan’s Inter Services Public Relations office underlined that rather than flying to maximum range, “the test flight was aimed at validating various design and technical parameters of the weapon system.”3

It is unclear if the Ababeel’s purported MIRV technology was employed during the test.

Specifications

The Ababeel is a three-stage, solid-fuel medium-range ballistic missile with a reported maximum range of 2,200 km.4 While the length of the missile is unknown, the swollen nose cone section of the missile is estimated to be 1.7 m in diameter.5 Pakistan’s claim that Ababeel uses MIRV technology has not be verified and remains a point of debate. Reports indicate the missile can be outfitted with both nuclear and conventional warheads.

MIRV Doubts

Some experts have expressed skepticism as to whether Pakistan has indeed surmounted the various technological hurdles required for MIRVed missiles. MIRV warheads are typically much smaller than unitary warheads, and thus require greater miniaturization. It is unclear if the country has manufactured a miniaturized nuclear warhead small enough to use in a MIRV.6 The missile’s larger nose-cone section, however, may be an attempt to compensate for a lack of warhead miniaturization.

Another obstacle, the development of a Post-Boost Control Vehicle or ‘bus’, requires, “expertise in design and fabrication of small thrusters, fabrication of propellant and gas tanks, precision fabrication of valves, high-pressure plumbing, quality control and storable liquid propellants” that Pakistan may lack.7

Pakistan has, nonetheless, demonstrated other important MIRV-related technologies in the past. These notably include the capability to field small, liquid-fueled retrograde stabilizing rockets for a post separation attitude control system (PSAC). Pakistan has reportedly deployed PSAC on its Shaheen 1, Shaheen 1A, and Shaheen 2 missiles.8 If Pakistan has overcome these obstacles, it is unlikely it did so without foreign support. China, which likely tested its first MIRVed missile only a few days after the Ababeel’s flight, is suspected of providing Pakistan with technical support.9

Regional Implications

Since 2010, numerous analysts have weighed in on the consequences of MIRV proliferation in Asia.10 The introduction of multiple-warhead missiles to southern Asia may have a destabilizing effect on regional security. Vipin Narang, associate professor of Political Science at MIT and member of MIT’s Security Studies program, said after the missile’s test launch, “it is hard to deny that India and Pakistan are in a full-blown arms race.”11 According to Pakistan’s Inter Service Public Relations office, the development of a MIRV capable missile is “aimed at ensuring survivability of Pakistan’s ballistic missiles in the growing regional Ballistic Missile Defense (BMD) environment.”12

https://khoshbotech.blogspot.com/2022/03/ababeel-surface-to-surface-pakistan.html

Ghaznavi Hatf 3 Missile

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.1 Pakistan received significant technical assistance and over 30 DF-11 missiles from China through the early 1990s.2

Ghaznavi (Hatf 3) at a Glance

ORIGINATED FROM: Pakistan

POSSESSED BY: Pakistan

 CLASS Short-Range Ballistic Missile (SRBM)BASING Road-mobile 

LENGTH 8.5 m

 DIAMETER 0.8 m

 LAUNCH WEIGHT 4,650 kg

PAYLOADSingle warhead, 700 kg

WARHEADHE, submunitions, 12 – 20 kT nuclear

PROPULSIONSingle-stage solid propellantRANGE300 km

STATUSOperationalIN SERVICE2004 – Present

Ghaznavi Development

Pakistan originally began developing the Ghaznavi/Hatf-3 in 1987, but terminated the program after its purchases of Chinese M-11 (DF-11) missiles in the early 1990s. These were later renamed the Ghaznavi missile.3 China first flight tested the M-11 in 1990, and Pakistan conducted its first known Ghaznavi test in May 2002. The system became operational in 2004.4 Subsequent flight tests took place in June and December of 2006, February 2008, and May 2010.

Specifications

The Ghaznavi visually resembles the DF-11, measuring roughly 8.5 m long, 0.8 m in diameter, and weighing 4,650 kg at launch It can carry a single warhead of up to 700 kg to a range of 290 – 300 km.5 It is a single-stage, solid propelled missile, and is launched from a wheeled, four-axle transporter-erector-launcher (TEL).

The missile can load a variety of conventional unitary, submunition, and nuclear payloads. Its nuclear-equipped variant likely features a single, 5 – 12 kt warhead. Ghaznavi’s inertial guidance system provides an estimated accuracy of 250 m circular error probable (CEP). If equipped with terminal guidance, however, its accuracy could improve to 50 m CEP. 6

Service History

Pakistan ceased Ghaznavi production in April 2007, with between 30 and 50 missiles in service as of 2007.7 By 2019, Pakistan reportedly operated 30 Ghaznavi launchers, with roughly 16 configured with nuclear warheads.

Ghaznavi hatf 3 Ballistic Missile