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Shaheen-II

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Hatf-VI Shaheen
TypeMRBM
Place of origin Pakistan
Service history
In service2014–Present
Used by Pakistan Army
Production history
DesignerNational Engineering & Scientific Commission
Designed2000–2013
ManufacturerNational Engineering & Scientific Commission
VariantsShaheen-III
Specifications (Technical data)
Mass23,600 kg (52,000 lb)
Length17.2 m (680 in)
Diameter1.4 m (55 in)
Maximum firing range2,500 km (1,600 mi)
WarheadHE/SNW
Warhead weight1,230 kg (2,710 lb)
Blast yield>40 kilotons of TNT (170 TJ)
EngineTwo-stage
DriveSix-axle
TransmissionAutomatic
SuspensionMAZ-547A 12WD
(With Pakistani military markings)
PropellantSolid-propellant
Operational
range
1,000 km (620 mi)–2,000 km (1,200 mi)
Guidance
system
Inertial, Terminal
Accuracy<350 m (1,150 ft)
Launch
platform
Transporter erector launcher (TEL), Silo, launch pad
TransportTransporter erector launcher

The Shaheen-II (Urdu:شاهين–اا; Military designation: Hatf-VI, Trans: Target-6), is a land-based supersonic and medium-range ballistic missile currently in deployed in military service with the strategic command of the Pakistan Army.[1][2]

Designed and developed by the National Engineering & Scientific Commission, Shaheen-II is a capable of nuclear weapons-delivery at vast range, and it is described as "highly capable missile which fully meets Pakistan's strategic needs towards maintenance of desired deterrence stability in the region" by the Pakistani military.[2][3][4]

The National Air and Space Intelligence Center of the United States Air Force estimates that as of 2017 fewer than 50 launchers were operationally deployed.[5]

Description

Development and design of the Shaheen-II influenced from Pakistan's need for attaining surface-based second strike capability in a case of Pakistani military facing the Indian Army in an event of large-scale conventional war.[citation needed] Since 2000, the United States had prior knowledge of such program and was able to confirm it in 2005, when six-axled-ten-wheel MAZ vehicle was shown in the military barracks.[6]

It is a two-stage rocket with diameter of 1.4 m, length of 17.5 m, weight of 25 tons and a range of 2,000 km. Shaheen-II was successfully test fired for the first time on 9 March 2004 and again on 13 November 2014.

Re-entry vehicle

The re-entry vehicle carried by the Shaheen-II missile has a mass of 700–1250 kg, which includes the mass of a nuclear warhead and a terminal guidance system.[7]

This re-entry vehicle is unlike that of the Shaheen I in that it has four moving delta control fins at the rear and small solid/liquid-propellant side thrust motors, which are used to orient the re-entry vehicle after the booster stage is depleted or before re-entry to improve accuracy by providing stabilization during the terminal phase. This can also be used to fly evasive manoeuvres, making it problematic for existing anti-ballistic missile (ABM) systems to successfully intercept the missile. The Shaheen II warhead may change its trajectory several times during re-entry and during the terminal phase, effectively preventing ABM radar systems from pre-calculating intercept points. The re-entry vehicle is also stated to utilise a GPS satellite guidance system to provide updates on its position, further improving its accuracy and reducing the CEP.[8][9][dubious – discuss]

Foreign sources claim the missile to have an accuracy of 350 m CEP based on speculation that the design is the same or similar to one of several Chinese systems such as the DF-11 or DF-25.[10][7] However, according to a press video shown by NDC at the IDEAS 2004 defence exhibition in Pakistan, the missile can achieve "surgical precision". This has led to speculation that Shaheen II incorporates a satellite navigation update system and/or a post separation attitude correction system to provide terminal course correction, which "may indicate a CEP of much less than 300 m." According to Harsh Pant, reader of international relations at the Defence Studies Department of King's College London, "the current capability of Pakistani missiles is built around radar seekers."[11][12]

Future developments

Since deployment of the 2750 km range Shaheen-III, a multiple independently targeted re-entry vehicle (MIRV) system was assumed to be in development.[citation needed]

See also

Related developments
Related lists

References

  1. ^ "Giant leap: Agni-V, India's 1st ICBM, fired successfully from canister". The Times of India. February 2015.
  2. ^ a b staff, writers (23 May 2019). "Shaheen-II ballistic missile training launch successful: ISPR". DAWN.COM. Dawn newspaper. Retrieved 2 October 2023.
  3. ^ Ballistic and Cruise Missile Threat – Federation of American Scientists.
  4. ^ Greisler, David (2006-11-15). Handbook of technology management in public administration. CRC Press, 2006. ISBN 978-1-57444-564-0.
  5. ^ Ballistic and Cruise Missile Threat (Report). Defense Intelligence Ballistic Missile Analysis Committee. June 2017. p. 25. NASIC-1031-0985-17. Retrieved 16 July 2017.
  6. ^ "Archive | Your Source of News on the World Wide Web". Dawn.Com. 10 May 2007. Retrieved 2011-03-27.
  7. ^ a b "Haft 6 "Shaheen 2"". CSIS Missile Threat. Retrieved 26 June 2017.
  8. ^ "How 'Shaheen' Was Developed".
  9. ^ "Hatf 6 "Shaheen 2"". MissileThreat. Retrieved 26 June 2017.
  10. ^ Duncan Lennox; Hatf 6 (Shaheen 2), Jane’s Strategic Weapon Systems; June 15, 2004.
  11. ^ "International Assessment and Strategy Center > Research > Pakistan's Long Range Ballistic Missiles: A View From IDEAS". www.strategycenter.net. Archived from the original on December 29, 2012.
  12. ^ "Pakistan Seeks To Counter Indian ABM Defenses". Defense News. Archived from the original on April 8, 2013.
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