Ababeel (missile)
Ababeel | |
---|---|
Type | Surface-to-surface ballistic missile |
Place of origin | Pakistan |
Service history | |
Used by | Pakistan Army Strategic Forces Command |
Production history | |
Produced | 2017– |
Specifications | |
Engine | solid-fuel[1] |
Operational range | 2,200 kilometres (1,400 mi)[2] |
Ababeel (Template:Lang-ur; lit. Swallow) is a surface-to-surface medium-range ballistic missile developed by Pakistan, with a maximum range of 2,200 kilometres (1,400 mi).[3] The missile can carry both conventional[citation needed] and nuclear warheads, and is claimed to use multiple independently targetable reentry vehicles (MIRV),[4][5] a first for Pakistan's arsenal.
The first publicly announced test launch was conducted on 24 January 2017, according to a statement released by the Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR) branch of the Pakistan Armed Forces.[6][7][8][9][10]
The press release made reference to, "the development of the Ababeel weapon system was aimed at ensuring survivability of Pakistan's ballistic missiles in the growing regional Ballistic Missile Defence (BMD) environment"[11] in reference to the Indian Prithvi and Ashwin BMD systems. Ababeel is a development of the Shaheen-III airframe and solid-fuel motors, but with a payload fairing of enlarged diameter, to house the MIRV carrier bus. The second stage is also lengthened.[12]
The missile's name of 'ababeel' or "swallow" may be a reference to a pre-Islamic event during the Year of the Elephant.
US Air Force National Air and Space Intelligence Center estimates that as of June 2017 no missiles yet were operationally deployed.[13]
References
- ^ http://www.nasic.af.mil/LinkClick.aspx?fileticket=F2VLcKSmCTE%3d&portalid=19
- ^ http://www.nasic.af.mil/LinkClick.aspx?fileticket=F2VLcKSmCTE%3d&portalid=19
- ^ "Pakistan conducts first flight test of Ababeel surface-to-surface missile". Dawn newspaper. Retrieved 24 January 2017.
- ^ "Pakistan conducts first flight test of surface-to-surface Ababeel missile". Express Tribune. Retrieved 24 January 2017.
- ^ http://thediplomat.com/2017/01/why-pakistans-newly-flight-tested-multiple-nuclear-warhead-capable-missile-really-matters/
- ^ Maj Gen Asif Ghafoor [@OfficialDGISPR] (24 January 2017). "Pak successfully conducted first flight test of SSM #ABABEEL, Rg 2200 Km. #COAS congrats team and Pak Armed Forces for landmk achievement" (Tweet) – via Twitter.
- ^ "Pakistan successfully test fires long range missile Ababeel". Pakistan Today. Retrieved 24 January 2017.
- ^ "Pakistan successfully conducts test of ballistic missile 'Ababeel'". The News International. Retrieved 24 January 2017.
- ^ "Pakistan conducts successful test of surface-to-surface 'Ababeel' missile". Geo TV. Retrieved 24 January 2017.
- ^ "Pakistan conducts successful test of long range missile Ababeel". Samaa TV. Retrieved 24 January 2017.
- ^ "Ababeel" (Press release). ISPR. 24 January 2017.
- ^ "Ababeel 1". Global Security.
- ^ http://www.nasic.af.mil/LinkClick.aspx?fileticket=F2VLcKSmCTE%3d&portalid=19