Abdali Missile

Abdali-I (Codename: Hatf-II; named after the Afghan king Ahmad Shah Abdali, the founder of the Durrani Empire) is a supersonic short-range ballistic missile (SRBM) developed by the Space and Upper Atmosphere Research Commission (SUPARCO), and currently in operational service with the Pakistan Armed Forces.^[1]

The Abdali program was conceived and originally designed by the Space Research Commission in 1990s. The program’s first derivative was originally designed as the two-stage version of the Hatf-I, essentially a solid-propellant stage was attached to the bottom of a Hatf-I.^[2]However, the program was canceled in 1994, likely due to the purchase of the M-11 missiles from the People’s Republic of China.^[2][3] In 1995, SUPARCO successfully persuaded and designed a new module for the Abdali program which was started the same year.

Design and Specification

Its accuracy is sufficient for use against military targets such as bases or airfields. It is carried on a road mobile Transporter-Erector-Launcher (TEL) vehicle. The use of solid propellant and the TEL vehicle make the missile easy to store, transport and fire.^[2]

The Abdali-I has a range of 180 km and an accuracy of 15 m CEP.^[2] It is equipped with an inertial guidance system with terminal guidance. It can be equipped with a variable payload up to 500 kg, and can carry single HE explosive or cluster sub-munition warheads. It has a launch weight of 1,750 kg. It uses a single-stage solid propellant engine and has a length of 9.75 m and a width of 0.56 m. Abdali is nuclear capable.^[2]

Development History and Current Status

The original Abdali-I missile started development in 1987 and was first displayed in 1989. Another consideration may have been the purchase from China of the M-11 missiles with similar capabilities.^[2] Since the program was restarted with a new design in 1997, it has been flight tested in 2002, 2005 and 2006.^[4][5] Abdali is currently deployed and under production.^[1][6]

Ghauri (missile)

The Hatf V, named Ghauri-5 (Urdu: غوری‎), is a medium-range ballistic missile (MRBM) developed by Khan Research Laboratories (KRL) of Pakistan. Powered by a single stage liquid fuel rocket motor, the missile has an optimum range of 1,500 km and can carry a payload of 700 kg.^[1][2] Two variants of the Ghauri were produced under the Pakistani missile research and development program^[3] and the development of a third was cancelled. The Ghauri-II uses increased motor assembly length and improved propellants for an increased range of 2,300 km (1,400 mi).^[4] The Ghauri-V had a planned range of 10,000–14,000 km.^[1]

The missile is named after the Persian ruler Shahabuddin Muhammad Ghauri, while the “Hatf” designation originates from the name of the sword or lance of Muhammad.^[5

Design

The Ghauri design incorporates mechanisms that start spinning the single booster stage and warhead combination from approximately 10 seconds before termination of the powered flight at 110 seconds. At this point the warhead is separated from the rocket booster stage to fly on a re-entry trajectory that remains stable to its target. With the addition of GPS targeting the warhead accuracy is greatly enhanced.^[6] The “revised” CEP of this system is 190 m. The United States government states that the Ghauri design is based on North Korea’s Rodong-1 (also known as Nodong-1) missile^[7]

Operational history

The Ghauri was first test-fired on 6 April 1998 from the Tilla Range near Malute, Jhelum, about 76 miles south of the capital Islamabad.^[8] Fired from a mobile launcher, it travelled 1,100 km (680 mi) in a flight lasting 9 minutes and 58 seconds before hitting its designated target in the desert ofBalochistan. The ISPR reported that the missile is capable of carrying all kind of warheads besides hitting its target at a range of 1,300 kilometers.^[9]

Naming controversy

In February 2006, the Afghan Karzai regime delivered a complained to Pakistan over naming its lethal ballistic missiles after Afghan kings and rulers (i.e. Abdali, Ghaznavid and Ghauri), arguing that their names should be bracketed with academic, cultural and peace-promoting institutions, not with tools of destruction and killing. However, Pakistan declined to change the missiles’ names stating that these Muslim rulers are considered heroes in Pakistan as well, and naming missiles after them is not controversial.^{[10][11][12][13]}

Hatf Missile

Hatf I (Urdu: حتف‎) is a subsonic battlefield range ballistic missile (BRBM) which entered service with the Pakistan Army in the early 1990s. It is deployed as an artillery rocket and has been replaced by the improved Hatf-IA and Hatf-IB, which have a maximum range of 100 km.

Hatf is an Arabic word meaning “Deadly” or “Vengeance“. The name comes from the sword of Muhammed, Al-Hataf ^[1]

Development and design

Hatf I was designed in the 1980s as a highly mobile missile for tactical use. The design is said to have been derived from the second-stage of the French Eridan missile system.^[2] Its major use is as an unguided general bombardment weapon, to be fired across a battlefield or at a general target area.^[2] If properly aimed, it can hit within several hundred meters of the target area. The missile is low cost and easy to produce and maintain in large numbers. The Hatf I missile development program dates back to the 1980s. The Hatf-I was officially revealed by Pakistani officials in 1989 and it is believed to have entered service in 1992.^[3]

The Hatf I has a range of approximately 70 km (43 mi) and can carry a 500 kg conventional or non-conventional warhead. As it is unguided, it should be considered a long-range artillery shell, with the location of the impact depending upon the proper direction, angle of launch and the ability of the missile to fly straight. The Hatf-I is deployed with high explosive or cluster munitions, although it can theoretically carry a tactical nuclear weapon. The missile has a diameter of 0.56 m and is 6 m in length. It uses a single-stage solid propellant rocket motor.^[2]

The Hatf IA and Hatf IB are upgraded versions with improved range and accuracy. The Hatf IA increased maximum range to 100 km by using an improved rocket motor and lighter materials in the missile’s construction. The dimensions and the payload capacity remain the same. Hatf-IA is believed to have entered service in 1995.^[2]

The Hatf IB represents the final evolution of the Hatf I missile system. It includes an inertial guidance system that considerably improves the accuracy of the missile and is otherwise identical to the Hatf IA, retaining the maximum range of 100 km and payload of 500 kg. The inertial guidance system allows the missile to be used as an artillery rocket against enemy military encampments or storage depots etc. The missile system is designed to be used like an artillery system, with 5-6 missiles fired simultaneously at the target area. Being a ballistic missile the Hatf-IB would reach its target much quicker than an ordinary artillery shell giving the target little warning to take evasive action.

Hatf-IB was first flight tested in February 2000. All current Hatf-I missiles have been upgraded to Hatf-IB standard as of 2001. The system is operational with Pakistan’s armed forces.^[2][4]