| Country: |
Pakistan |
| Associated Country: |
Iran, People's Republic of China, North Korea |
| Alternate Name: |
Ghauri 1/Mark III |
| Class: |
MRBM |
| Basing: |
Road Mobile |
| Length: |
15.90 m |
| Diameter: |
1.35 m |
| Launch Weight: |
15850 kg |
| Payload: |
Single warhead, 1200 kg |
| Warhead: |
Nuclear 15 to 35 kT, chemical, HE, submunitions |
| Propulsion: |
Single-stage liquid |
| Range: |
1300 km |
| Status: |
Operational |
| In Service: |
1998 |
Details
The Hatf-5 is a medium-range, road mobile, liquid propellant ballistic missile. It is believed to be based upon technology derived from the North Korean No-dong 1 and 2. 5 to 12 No Dong missiles were reportedly sold to Pakistan, though North Korea denies the connection. It also appears that the Hatf-5 was developed in conjunction with Iran, as the Iranian Shahab 3 missile appears very similar to the Hatf-5 both in appearance and capabilities. It is reliably reported that all three countries have cooperated extensively since 1993. The guidance system is believed to have been obtained from the People’s Republic of China (PRC), possibly passed through North Korea. A scenario wherein the PRC disseminates technology to North Korea, which in turn sells or gives this technology to Pakistan and Iran is quite likely, especially in this instance.
The Hatf-5 is designed as a strategic weapon. Its reported accuracy of 2,500 m CEP is too low to be used against any sort of target less than several kilometers across. This limits the military usage of this missile to striking large airports and military bases, though it could strike a city with ease. The only truly effective use for the Hatf-5 would be for deployment against civilian areas, most likely with a low yield nuclear weapon. However, the guidance device is believed to have been passed from the PRC, and it may be far more accurate than reported. An accuracy of 500 m CEP is not unreasonable, and such an accuracy would make the missile effective against strategic targets such as shipyards, airfields, etc., though it would still be ineffective against missile silos. Regardless of accuracy, the Hatf-5 is designed to strike strategic targets deep within India.
Like most Pakistani missile systems, the Hatf-5 is designed to be launched from modified Russian ‘Scud-B’ Transporter-Erector-Launcher (TEL) vehicles. A modified tank is also known to have been used for a TEL vehicle. These vehicles hide the Hatf-5 from attack and allow for rapid transport and deployment.
The Hatf-5 missile has a minimum range of 350km and a maximum range of 1,300km. It is 15.9 m in length, has a diameter of 1.35 m and a launch weight of 15,850 kg. Its payload is a single separating warhead weighing up to 1,200 kg. The warhead can carry a 500 kg 15 to 35 kT yield nuclear weapon, or chemical, HE, or submunitions. The missile uses a single-stage liquid propellant engine, which may be the missile's greatest weakness, since liquid-fuelling significantly increases launch preparation time and poses storage and transportation problems. A report in 2000 suggested that Pakistan was terminating their liquid-fuelled missiles, but subsequent reports have not confirmed this claim.
The Hatf-5 program started development at the Khan Research Laboratories in 1993, with the first flight test occurring in 1998. Though the Hatf-5 missile likely entered service in 1998, the program continued testing the Hatf-5 and its variants through 2008 (and possibly beyond). Test flights were made in April 1999, May 2002, May 2004, June 2004, October 2004, November 2006, and February 2008. Two longer-ranged versions have been developed under the designations Hatf-5A and Ghauri 3.(1)
Footnotes
- Jane’s Strategic Weapons Systems, Issue 50, ed. Duncan Lennox, (Surrey: Jane’s Information Group, January 2009), 113-15.
Pakistan Tests Hatf-5
February 4, 2008 :: News
Pakistan launched a Hatf-5 ballistic missile on February 1, only a week after it tested a medium-range Hatf-4. The Hatf-5 is an intermediate range ballistic missile can with a range up to 1,300 km. Pakistani President Pervez Musharraf praised the team behind the launch, and also reiterated his country's control of its nuclear assets, saying, "We have taken note of various imaginary scenarios being propounded by those who do not wish Pakistan well. Such elements have never reconciled to a nuclear Pakistan." (Article, Link)
» More stories on: Pakistan, Testing - Foreign
» Missile details: Hatf 5, Hatf 5A
Pakistan Tests Hatf-5 on Anniversary of Musharraf Coup
October 12, 2004 :: AP :: News
Pakistan has again conducted a test of its medium range, nuclear capable Hatf-5 (Ghauri) ballistic missile, its fourth missile test this year. The tested missile had a reported range of 1,500 km, but other reports have assigned a range of 1,800 km or more. The military stated that the test was completely successful. The test coincides with the fifth anniversary of General Musharraf’s 1999 seizure of power, a bloodless coup after which he later declared himself president.
The military release about the test conspicuously named the Hatf-5 as being “indigenously” produced, but Pakistan is of course believed to have had extensive help from both China and North Korea in its missile programs. A former Prime minister of Pakistan has admitted North Korean assistance. The missile is believed to be based on the North Korean No Dong.
An ISPR [Inter-Services Public Relations] press release reportedly states that “The successful flight test bears testimony to the fact that the Ghauri Weapon System is based on the highest standards of scientific and technological advancements.”
The Hatf-5 was tested twice earlier this year, on May 29 and June 4. (Article, Link)
» More stories on: Pakistan, Testing - Foreign
» Missile details: Hatf 5A, Hatf 5
Pakistan Now Plans to Test Two Ghauri-III Missiles
May 28, 2004 :: News
Coming one week after reports that Pakistan would test launch a Ghauri-III missile in early June, the Pakistani newspaper Nawa-i-Waqt now claims that the country will now conduct two tests of the missile, on May 29 and on June 3. The Ghauri III, said to be capable of carrying nuclear warheads 3,500km, is Pakistan’s longest-range missile. “After the successful test-fire of Ghauri III missile, Pakistan will join the ranks of other countries that can manufacture intermediate range missiles,” the paper boasted.
Update: May 29: Pakistan Tests Hatf-5, with range of 1,500 km. (More »»»)
» May 21, 2004: Pakistan to test Ghauri III in early June
» More stories on: Pakistan, Testing - Foreign
» Missile details: Hatf 5 (Ghauri-3), Hatf 5
