Type
Intermediate range, solid-propellant, single warhead, ballistic missile.
Development
There were unconfirmed reports that a Shaheen 2 (believed to have the designator Hatf 7) solid-propellant ballistic missile had been developed, and that it was ready for flight testing in June 1999. However, the missile was first displayed in March 2000, and the first test flight is expected in the near future.
Shaheen 2 appears to be based on the earlier Shaheen 1 design, using a modified Shaheen 1 motor assembly as the first stage and using a complete Shaheen 1 missile as the second stage. Shaheen 1 is believed to be a scaled-up version of the Chinese M-11 (DF-11, CSS-7) missile, and the DF-11 entered service in China around 1992. There were reports that Pakistan received between 30 and 80 M-11 missiles from China in 1993, and that a production facility was built in Pakistan near Rawalpindi. More details on the M-11 and Shaheen 1 missiles can be found in separate entries.
It is reported that the Shahine 1 and 2 missiles have been developed by the Pakistan National Development Complex (PNDC) with assistance from SUPARCO, the Pakistan space research organisation, and from the Atomic Energy Commission. Following the Pakistan nuclear warhead tests in May 1998, when it is believed that between three and six warheads were detonated, it is expected that a 15 to 35 kT nuclear warhead will be fitted into the Shahine 1 and 2 missiles. There was a possible flight test of Shaheen 1 in July 1997, although other reports described this as a test of a Hatf 3 missile. Ground motor tests for Shaheen 1 were made in 1997 and 1998, and it is possible that a ground test in 1999 was made for the new first stage Shaheen 2 motor. The TEL vehicle displayed with the Shaheen 2 missile in March 2000 was similar to the Russian MAZ-547V that had been used with the SS-20 'Saber' missile system, and could carry a much heavier missile than Shaheen 2. There are unconfirmed reports that a Shahine 3 missile, with a range of 4,000 km, may be in development with a dual role for use as a ballistic missile and as a satellite launch vehicle.
Description
There have been no official specifications issued for either Shaheen 1 or Shaheen 2, except for the payload and maximum range, and the following details are estimates from the available evidence. It is believed that the Shaheen 2 missile has a length of 17.0 m, a body diameter of 1.1 m, and a launch weight of 14,500 kg. The first stage length is 4.0 m, with a body diameter of 1.1 m, and a weight of 5,500 kg. This first stage is a modified Shaheen 1 motor assembly, carrying around 4,800 kg of solid propellant. There are four clipped delta wings at the rear of the first stage. The second stage has a length of 5.8 m, a body diameter of 1.1 m, and a weight of 8,000 kg. it is believed that this stage is an unmodified Shaheen 1 motor assembly with 7,000 kg of solid propellant. There are four clipped delta wings at the rear of this stage, similar to those on the first stage.
The payload assembly separates from the second stage after second stage burn-out or before re-entry, has a length of 7.2 m and a base diameter of 1.1 m. There are four small delta control fins at the base of the payload assembly, believed to be used to align the warhead at the start of re-entry to improve the accuracy.
The payload assembly has a total weight of 1,000 kg with a 750 kg warhead, believed to be nuclear with a yield of between 15 and 35 kT. There are reports that alternative HE, chemical and submunition warheads have been developed. Guidance is inertial and there may be some form of terminal guidance although this is thought to be unlikely at present. An accuracy of 500 to 750 m CEP has been suggested. The minimum range is probably around 500 km, and the maximum range is stated to be 2,500 km.
The Transporter-Erector-Launcher (TEL) vehicle displayed in March 2000 appeared to be similar to the Russian MAZ-547V TEL used with the SS-20 'Saber' missile in the early 1980s. The SS-20 missiles were destroyed following the 1987 INF treaty, but the vehicles could have been retained for other uses. The wheeled TEL has six axles and is believed to have a length of 16.5 m. The missile is raised vertically for launch, with the TEL vehicle stabilised by four or six hydraulic jacks. A launch could be expected within 10 minutes of arrival at a pre-surveyed site. Also displayed in March 2000 was a missile reloading vehicle, which appeared similar to the TEL but with a strengthened rear chassis and a crane. It is expected that both vehicles will have a road speed of around 65 km/h, and a radius of action of around 500 km.
Operational status
The Shaheen 2 missile development programme probably started around 1996, and has followed closely behind that for Shaheen 1. There has been one flight test for the Shaheen 1 missile, made in April 1999 over a range of 450 km. Shaheen 2 was first displayed in March 2000, and has not yet been flight tested. It is possible that a limited production of 5 to 10 missiles has already started, although with the close relationship between the two Shaheen missiles the precise numbers may be difficult to establish.
Specifications
Shaheen 2
Length
17 m
Body diameter
1.1 m
Launch weight
14,500 kg
Payload
1,000 kg
Warhead
750 kg nuclear 15 to 35 kT, HE, chemical or submunitions
Guidance
Inertial
Propulsion
Two-stage solid propellant
Range
2,500 km
Accuracy
500 to 750 m CEP
Contractors
The prime contractor is believed to be the Pakistan National Development Complex, with assistance from SUPARCO and the Atomic Energy Commission.
(sources: Jane's Strategic Weapon Systems)
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