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Shaheen-III

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Shaheen-III
TypeMRBM
Place of origin Pakistan
Service history
In service2015–Present
Used by Pakistan Army
(Army Strategic Forces Command)
Production history
DesignerNational Engineering & Scientific Commission (NESCOM)
Designed2003–2013
ManufacturerNational Engineering & Scientific Commission
VariantsAbabeel
Specifications (Technical data)
Length19.30 m (63.3 ft)
Diameter1.40 m (4.6 ft)
Maximum firing range2,750 km (1,710 mi)
WarheadHE/NE
Blast yield>50 kilotons of TNT (210 TJ)
EngineMulti-stage[1]
TransmissionAutomatic
SuspensionWS21200 16WD
(With Pakistani military markings)
PropellantSolid-fuel
Operational
range
2,750 kilometres (1,710 mi)[2][3]
Guidance
system
Inertial, Terminal,
Launch
platform
Transporter erector launcher (TEL), Launch pad

The Shaheen-III (شاہین– ااا [a] ; lit. Falcon), is a land-based medium range ballistic missile, which was test fired for the first time by military service on 9 March 2015.[4][5]

Development began in secrecy in the early 2000s in response to India's Agni-III, Shaheen was successfully tested on 9 March 2015 with a range of 2,750 km (1,710 mi), which enables it to strike all of India and reach deep into the Middle East parts of North Africa.[6] The Shaheen-III, according to its program manager, the Strategic Plans Division, is "18 times faster than speed of sound and designed to reach the Indian islands of Andaman and Nicobar so that India cannot use them as "strategic bases" to establish a second strike capability."[7][8]

Range of the Shaheen-III missile

The Shaheen program is composed of the solid-fuel system in contrast to the Ghauri program that is primarily based on liquid-fuel system.[9] With the successful launch of the Shaheen-III, it surpasses the range of Shaheen-II— hence, it is the longest-range missile to be launched by the military.[10]

Its deployment has not been commented by the Pakistani military but Shaheen-III is currently deemed as operational in the strategic command of Pakistan Army.[11]

Overview

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Development history

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Main article: Integrated Missile Research and Development Programme

Development of a long-range space launch vehicle began in 1999 with an aim of a rocket engines reaching the range of 2,750 km (1,710 mi) to 3,000 km (1,900 mi). The Indian military had moved its strategic commands to east and the range of 2,750 km (1,710 mi) was determined by a need to be able to target the Nicobar and Andaman Islands in the eastern part of the Indian Ocean that are "developed as strategic bases" where "Indian military might think of putting its weapons", according to Shaheen-III's program manager, the Strategic Plans Division (SPD).[12] With this mission, Shaheen-III was actively pursued along with Ghauri-III'.[13]

In 2000, the SUPARCO concluded at least two design studies for its space launch vehicle.[14] Initially, there were two earlier designs were shown in IDEAS held in 2002 and its design was centered on developing a space booster based on the design technologies of the Shaheen-I.[14] Since then, Shaheen owes its existence largely to the joint efforts led by NDC of NESCOM and Space Research Commission.[14]

The Shaheen-III was shrouded in top secrecy and very little information was available to the public, mostly provided in 2002 IDEAS.[14] Majority of the efforts and funding was being made available to Ghauri-III to seek strike in Eastern region of India.[15] In May 2000, the Ghauri-III was cancelled due to its less advance and lack of technological gain.[15] Despite strong advocacy by Abdul Qadeer Khan for the Ghauri-III program made to be feasible, the program was terminated by then-President Pervez Musharraf who made the funding available for Shaheen-III program which was to be led under Samar Mubarakmand.[16][17]

The Shaheen-III was initially purposed as the space booster for the space program to make it possible for installing the satellite payload applications.[14] In a press conference held in Lahore in 2009, Samar Mubarakmand stated that: "Pakistan would launch its own satellite in April 2011."[13] Although no confirmation or denial of Shaheen program's existence was given by Dr. Mubarakmand, the rumors and speculations yet to be continued for the existence of the program.[13]

After years of speculations, the Shaheen-III was eventually revealed and tested on 9 March 2015 with a 2750 km (1700-mile) range.[18] The Shaheen-III uses the Pakistan-engineered WS21200 transporter erector launcher (TEL) manufactured in China by Wanshan Special Vehicle.[19][20]

Testing

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On 9 March 2015, the ISPR released a press statement notifying the successful testing of the Shaheen-III that was conducted from the southern coast off the Indian Ocean.[21]

Military officials from JS HQ, SPD scientists and engineers, oversaw the launch of the system and witnessed the impact point in the Arabian Sea.[22] Reports summed up by NTI, there had been series of testing's taken place of the rocket engine nozzles before the eventual tests took place in 2015.[23]

On 20 January 2021, the ISPR released a press statement stating that a successful test of Shaheen-III aimed at "revalidating various design & tech parameters of weapon system" was conducted.[24]

On 9 April 2022, the ISPR released a press statement stating that a successful test of Shaheen-III aimed at "re-validating various design and technical parameters of the weapon system" was conducted.[25]

Analysis

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Strategic prospect

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Main articles: Nuclear brinksmanship and Mutually assured destruction

Several Pakistani nuclear and military strategists reportedly quoted that the "Shaheen-III has a range greater than that of any other missile system in-service with Pakistan. Earlier testings of Shaheen-III had the maximum range of about 2,500km, which meant it can reach all parts of India, even the northeastern and eastern frontier.[5]

Air Marshal Shahid Latif, a retired senior commander in the Pakistan Air Force, was reported to have said: "Now, India doesn’t have its safe havens any more. It's all a reaction to India, which has now gone even for tests of extra-regional missiles. It sends a [very] loud message: If you hurt us, we are going to hurt you back!".[5]

Mansoor Ahmad, a professor of Strategic studies at the Islamabad's Quaid-i-Azam University, stated, "Pakistan's military, however, is not interested in a "tit-for-tat" arms race with India," and speculated that developmental work may be under progress to make missile capable of delivering multiple warheads which would make them harder to defend against. Pakistan would later test the Ababeel missile with this capability.[5]

Peace prospect

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Main articles: Confidence building measures in India–Pakistan relations and Peace through strength

In a views of political scientist, Dr. Farrukh Saleem, the Shaheen-III seems to be a reaction to Integrated Guided Missile Development Program.[26] Dr. Saleem, on the other hand, stressed that: "Pakistan seem to be aiming at competing with India and Pakistan's aims seem to revolve around the creation of a credible deterrence, and a credible deterrence is bound to strengthen strategic stability."[26]

See also

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Notes

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  1. ^ ISO: شاہین Śāhīna

References

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  1. ^ "Shaheen 3". Archived from the original on 15 September 2017. Retrieved 10 June 2017.
  2. ^ "Test launch of Pakistan's 'Shaheen-III' surface-to-surface ballistic missile successful". 9 March 2015. Archived from the original on 4 March 2016. Retrieved 9 March 2015.
  3. ^ "Pakistan's new Shaheen-III MRBM uses Chinese transporter, says source | IHS Jane's 360". Archived from the original on 9 December 2016. Retrieved 10 June 2017.
  4. ^ Haider, Mateen (9 March 2015). "Test launch of Shaheen-III ballistic missile successful: ISPR". Dawn. Pakistan. Retrieved 21 April 2022.
  5. ^ a b c d Craig, Tim (9 March 2015). "Pakistan tests missile that could carry nuclear warhead to every part of India". The Washington Post. ISSN 0190-8286. Retrieved 21 April 2022.
  6. ^ Analysis. "Shaheen-III Ballistic Missile: Enforcing Strategic Deterrence". Archived from the original on 2 April 2015. Retrieved 18 March 2015.
  7. ^ "Shaheen-III". Global Village Space. 9 April 2022. Retrieved 16 October 2023.
  8. ^ Kerr, Paul K.; Nikitin, Mary Beth (1 August 2016). Pakistan's Nuclear Weapons (PDF) (Report). Congressional Research Service. Archived (PDF) from the original on 30 August 2017. Retrieved 10 June 2017.
  9. ^ "Musharraf stopped funds for Ghauri-III missile". 28 May 2011. Archived from the original on 4 December 2014. Retrieved 9 March 2015.
  10. ^ Shukla, Jayoti (10 March 2015). "Pakistan successfully conducted the flight test of ballistic missile Shaheen-III". India Today-Asia Bureau. India Today. Archived from the original on 22 January 2016. Retrieved 11 March 2015.
  11. ^ The Nuclear Threat Initiative. "Pakistani Ballistic and Cruise Missiles".
  12. ^ Kristensen, Hans M.; Norris, Robert S. (2016). "Pakistani nuclear forces, 2016". Bulletin of the Atomic Scientists. 72 (6): 368–376. Bibcode:2016BuAtS..72f.368K. doi:10.1080/00963402.2016.1241520.
  13. ^ a b c Pike, John. "Pakistan Finally Dropped the Other Shoe". Pakistan Finally Dropped the Other Shoe. Retrieved 11 March 2015.
  14. ^ a b c d e Pike, John. "Shaheen-III: Space Booster development". globalsecurity.org/. Global Security, Inc. Archived from the original on 19 March 2015. Retrieved 11 March 2015.
  15. ^ a b Khan, Abdul Qadeer (28 May 2011). "Musharraf stopped funds for Ghauri-III missile saying: "Do you want to destroy Israel"". The News International. Archived from the original on 11 March 2015. Retrieved 11 March 2015.
  16. ^ "Pakistan Pushes To Improve Missile Strike Capability". Defense News. 17 November 2008. Retrieved 28 March 2011.[dead link]
  17. ^ Ansari, Usman (17 November 2008). "Pakistan Pushes To improve Missile Strike Capability". Defence News, 2008. Defence News. Retrieved 11 March 2015.
  18. ^ "Pakistan conducts successful test launch of Shaheen-III missile". The Express Tribune. 9 March 2015. Retrieved 21 April 2022.
  19. ^ "Pakistan's new Shaheen-III MRBM uses Chinese transporter, says source | IHS Jane's 360". 9 December 2016. Archived from the original on 9 December 2016. Retrieved 21 April 2022.
  20. ^ "Archived copy" (PDF). Archived (PDF) from the original on 23 September 2018. Retrieved 17 July 2017.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: archived copy as title (link)
  21. ^ ISPR Press Release. "Shaheen 3 Missile test: ISPR". ispr.gov.pk/. ISPR. Archived from the original on 23 March 2015. Retrieved 11 March 2015.
  22. ^ Associated Agencies (10 March 2015). "Pakistan successfully tests Shaheen-III missile". Daily Times, Pakistan. Daily Times, Pakistan. Archived from the original on 12 March 2015. Retrieved 11 March 2015.
  23. ^ "Pakistan | Country Profiles | NTI". 29 June 2012. Archived from the original on 29 June 2012. Retrieved 21 April 2022.
  24. ^ "Pakistan conducted successful flight test of #Shaheen-3 surface 2 surface ballistic missile,having range of 2750 Kms. Flt test aimed @ revalidating various design & tech parameters of weapon system. President, PM, CJCSC & Services Chiefs have congratulated scientists & engineers". 20 January 2021. Retrieved 21 April 2022 – via Twitter.
  25. ^ "Inter Services Public Relations Pakistan". ispr.gov.pk. Retrieved 21 April 2022.
  26. ^ a b Saleem, Farrukh (10 March 2015). "Shaheen-III to force India to talk peace". The News International. Archived from the original on 11 March 2015. Retrieved 11 March 2015.
  27. ^ "Ababeel". Missile Threat. Retrieved 21 April 2022.
  28. ^ Panda, Ankit. "Why Pakistan's Newly Flight-Tested Multiple Nuclear Warhead-Capable Missile Really Matters". thediplomat.com. Retrieved 21 April 2022.
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