Ghauri (missile)

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Ghauri-I/Hatf-V

Type Medium-Range Ballistic Missile MRBM
Service history
In service Operational Jan 12 2003
Production history
Manufacturer Kahuta Research Laboratories (KRL)
Unit cost Unknown
Specifications
Weight 15,850 kg
Length 15.90 m
Diameter 1.35 m
Engine single stage liquid propellant engine
Wingspan Unknown
Operational
range		 1,500 km
Flight altitude 350 Km in first test flight
Speed M 10+
Guidance
system		 Inertial
Launch
platform		 transporter erector launcher (TEL)

Ghauri (Urdu: غوری) is a medium-range ballistic missile developed by Kahuta Research Laboratories (KRL) of Pakistan. The missile itself is significantly based on the Rodong-1[1]. The designation of Hatf-V is also used for Ghauri.

The Ghauri-I has an optimum range of 1,500 km and can carry both a conventional and non-conventional payload. It is powered by a liquid propellant engine. Pakistan successfully carried out the test of the surface-to-surface Ghauri-I Missile with a range of 1500 km and a payload of 700 kg on April 6, 1998. This test represented a step forward in Pakistan's indigenous missile and satellite launch programme.

Ghauri-II is a longer ranged variant of the Ghauri-I missile. It was developed by increasing the length of the motor assembly and using improved propellants. The Ghauri-II missile has a range of 2,300 km (1,429 miles).

Ghauri-III with a range of 3500 km - 4000 km is under development.


Contents

[edit] Etymology

The Ghauri name (also spelled Ghori) is highly symbolic and taken from a Muslim historical figure, Muhammad Ghori who was a rival to the Hindu ruler Prithvi Raj Chauhan of India in the last decade of the 12th century. "Prithvi" is the name India has assigned to its Short-Range Ballistic Missile. However, the Indian missile's name refers to the Hindi word for Earth, and not the Hindu king. Following the April 6, 1998 test, the Pakistan also gave the designator Hatf-V to the Ghauri missile. Hatf ("Deadly" or "Vengeance") was the name of the sword of Muhammad. Pakistan has designated all of its missiles as Hatf for this reason.

[edit] Background: Indian threat

Since the early 1990s, Pakistan has faced the threat of ballistic missile attacks from India,which it has attacked several times in the past. With the heightening of tensions in the region. In May 1998 India tested nuclear weapons. Two weeks later Pakistan followed suit. With India and weapons of mass destruction and missile delivery systems, this threat intensified. Both India and Pakistan has also developed and tested missile delivery systems.

In 1999, the Kargil War between India and Pakistan became the first direct conflict between two declared nuclear powers. Even though the war had not been openly declared by either side, Nawaz Sharif, the Prime Minister of Pakistan at that time in his biography has stated that Pakistan's nuclear assets were brought to a high alert level status, but didnt have any operational warheads. [2]

[edit] The Ghauri-I test launch, April 6, 1998

Ghauri-I was test launched on April 6, 1998 from Malute, near the city of Jhelum, about 76 miles south of the Capital Islamabad. It climbed to a height of 350 km before hitting its designated target in the desert of Balochistan. The reports state that the missile was flight tested to a distance of 1,100 km/682 miles. The test flight was carried out completely overland. No advance notice of the actual flight test was given by Pakistani authorities. Pakistani sources also report that the flight test lasted 9 minutes and 58 seconds. Ghauri-I missile weighes 16 tons and consists of 13 tons of fuel, 700 kg warhead and the remaining weight is of the casing and equipment. The missile can carry a nuclear, chemical, or anti-tank warhead. The Ghauri missile was test fired from a mobile launcher.

[edit] Guidance/Accuracy

The test was completed without any error. The guidance system was 100 percent perfect.[citation needed] According to Pakistan's top missile and nuclear scientist, Dr. Abdul Qadeer Khan, "we did consult abroad for the components for the [guidance] system." A report from January 1998 claims the Ghauri is equipped with the latest guidance system and has an accuracy (CEP) of 250 m/820 ft at 1,500 km. The CEP of Ghauri has been upgraded to 190 meters [3].

Other missiles currently in the service of Pakistan are Hatf-I (BRBM), Abdali-I (BRBM), Ghaznavi (SRBM), Ghauri-II (MRBM), Ghauri-III (IRBM) (under development), Shaheen-I (MRBM), Shaheen-II (IRBM), Babur (cruise missile) and Ra'ad (cruise missile).

[edit] Operator

Designation Other Name Range Payload Status Inventory
Hatf-I/IA (BRBM) Hatf-I/IA 80/100 km 500 kg Deployed 100+
Abdali (SRBM) Hatf-II 180 km 500 kg Deployed, Under production Unknown
Ghaznavi (SRBM) Hatf-III 290 km 500 kg Deployed, Under production ~100+
Shaheen-I (MRBM) Hatf-IV 750 km 750 kg Deployed, Under production ~75-150
Ghauri-I (MRBM) Hatf-V 1500 km 700-1000 kg Deployed, Under production ~100+
Ghauri-II (MRBM) Hatf-VA 2,400 km, More range with lighter payload. 1200 kg Operational, Under production ~100+
Shaheen-II (IRBM) Hatf-VI 2,500 km, More range with lighter payload. 1000+ kg Deployed, Under production 200+
Babur (Cruise Missile) Hatf-VII 700 km 500 kg Deployed 400-1000
Ra'ad (Air Launched Cruise Missile) Hatf-VIII 350 km Tested ---
Ghauri-III (IRBM) 3,500+ km 1000+ kg Under Development
Shaheen-III (IRBM) 3,500+ km 1000+ kg Under Development
M-11 (SRBM) 300 km 500 kg In service Unknown

Note: Not every missile has nuclear payload.

[edit] See also

[edit] References

  1. ^ Pakistani nuclear forces, 2006
  2. ^ Pakistain was ready to use Nuclear weapon in Kargil war « Indianpolitics
  3. ^ http://www.fas.org/nuke/guide/pakistan/missile/hatf-5.htm

[edit] External links

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