A new short range ballistic missile Hatf-IX (NASR) has recently been added in Pakistan’s nuke club. NASR with a range of 60 km, have a quick response system, can carry four missiles, have high accuracy and ensures deterrence in evolving scenario. It was part of short-range surface-to-surface ballistic missile (SRBMs) and its medium-range ballistic missile (MRBM) is expected to be completed in three cycles by July of this year. A short-range ballistic missile (SRBM) is a ballistic missile with a range of about 1,000 km or less. It should be noted that Nasr is a modern missile, developed considering the evolving threats to ballistic missiles. Shaheen-IA is developed keeping the same threat in mind, and so will be the future ballistic missiles of Pakistan.Pakistan’s Missile Program
Courtesy: http://blogs.transparent.com/urdu/pakistans-missile-program/
Posted on 05. Mar, 2013 by nauman
Motivated by ongoing hostilities with India, Pakistan embarked upon an intense ballistic missile development program in the early 1980′s. Overcoming technical naivete substantial disadvantages in infrastructure and human capital relative to India, the imposition of U.S. and Missile Technology Control Regime (MTCR) sanctions, and the uncertainties of democratization, Pakistan gained a sophisticated missile arsenal in only 30 years.
The perceived strategic necessity of displaying the ability to execute a nuclear strike deep within India has sustained Pakistan’s interest in medium- and long-range missiles. The Congressional Research Service and other assessments continue to report ongoing Pakistani missile collaborations with China and North Korea. Pakistan also remains a non-signatory to the MTCR, but the last U.S. missile sanction laws against Pakistani entities were waived in 2003. Recent missile developments, such as the April 2011 test-firing of the short-range nuclear capable Hatf-9/NASR missile, indicate potential Pakistani interest in building a tactical nuclear capability. Pakistan considers its nuclear weapons to be national “crown jewels” and likely holds missile delivery systems in a similar regard. Barring substantial changes in South Asian geopolitics, a change in attitude seems unlikely.
Barring unprecedented industrial growth and a substantially enhanced defense-industrial base, Pakistan will likely continue its strategy of developing advanced missile systems with foreign assistance rather than pursuing the more expensive and less feasible option of pure indigenous development. Continued state patronage, fueled by competition with India, the high prestige accorded to Pakistan’s nuclear arsenal, and the symbolic value of diversifying missile delivery systems will likely sustain continued missile development in Pakistan.
Here are the missiles currently held by Pakistan:
Battlefield range ballistic missiles (BRBM):
- Hatf-I/IA
- Abdali-I
- Nasr (Hatf-IX)
Short range ballistic missiles (SRBM):
- Ghaznavi
- Abdali-II
Medium range ballistic missiles (MRBM):
- Ghauri I
- Shaheen I
- Ghauri II
- Shaheen II
Intermediate range ballistic missiles (IRBM):
- Ghauri-III
- Shaheen-III (missile is under development)
Intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM):
Taimur 7,000 km, a proposed ICBM which is believed to be under development
Cruise missiles:
- Babur (Hatf VII) – ground-launched cruise missile (submarine-launched version under development)
- Hatf-VIII (Ra’ad) – Air-launched Cruise Missile developed exclusively for launch from Aerial Platforms.
References:
defensenews.com
defence.pk
strategycenter.net
Wikipedia
intellectualtakeout.org
