| Country: |
Pakistan |
| Alternate Name: |
Shaheen 1 |
| Class: |
SRBM |
| Basing: |
Road mobile |
| Length: |
12.00 m |
| Diameter: |
1.00 m |
| Launch Weight: |
9500 kg |
| Payload: |
Single warhead, 700 kg |
| Warhead: |
750 kg; Nuclear 35 kT, chemical, HE, submunitions |
| Propulsion: |
Single-stage solid |
| Range: |
750 km |
| Status: |
Operational |
| In Service: |
1999 |
Details
The Hatf-4 is an short-range, road mobile, solid propellant ballistic missile. It appears to be a scaled up version of the People's Republic of China (PRC) M-11 design and was possibly designed with the assistance of PRC engineers.
The M-11 is an improved Scud design, 34 of which are known to have been imported by Pakistan. It is possible that the M-11 was reverse engineered to develop the technology needed to design the Hatf-4. Like the M-11, the Hatf-4 is launched from modified Russian 'Scud-B' Transporter-Erector-Launcher (TEL) vehicles.
The Hatf-4 is designed to destroy strategic assets. The accuracy on the weapon is insufficient to deploy a high explosive warhead against a military target, but it is easily capable of striking key facilities, such as an airport, oil refinery, shipyard, port, or factory. If equipped with submunitions, it seems likely that it could be deployed against a military column, though the limited accuracy makes this less practical. The launch range on the Hatf-4 allows it to reach major targets within India and the TEL vehicle gives it a high degree of mobility and flexibility. The TEL vehicles are capable of traveling at 55 km/hr (34 mph), can cover over 650 km (404 miles) without refueling and can launch in five to ten minutes, allowing the missile to be transported and fired quickly.
The Hatf-4 has a range of 750 km (433 miles) with an accuracy of 200 m CEP. Its accuracy is provided by an inertial guidance system, though it is possible that an inertial/Global Positioning Satellite (GPS) terminal guidance system has also been included. It carries a payload of a single warhead weighing no more than 1,000 kg. The warhead can be a 700 kg high explosive (HE), chemical, submunitions or 35 kT yield nuclear warhead. It is 12.0 m in length, 1.0 m in diameter, and has a launch weight of 9,500 kg. It uses a single-stage solid propellant engine.
Development of the Hatf-4 is believed to have started in 1993 and the missile was first displayed in 1999. It is believed that low-rate production began in 1998 and produced five to ten missiles ready for testing or operational use by the end of 1999. The first flight test is reported by Pakistan to have occurred in April 1999, though a test may have occurred as early as July 1997. It is likely that the Hatf-4 missile system makes up the second stage of the Hatf-6 Shaheen 2.Duncan Lennox, Jane's Strategic Weapons Systems 42 (Surrey: Jane's Information Group, January 2005), 137-138.
Pakistan Test Fires Short-Range Hatf-4
November 29, 2006 :: AP :: News
Pakistan today test-launched a nuclear-capable Hatf-4 (Shaheen-1) short-range ballistic missile, reports the AP. The official Pakistani military statement did not provide details of the test, although an unnamed defense official said the missile hit its target. According to the statement, the test was “part of the ongoing exercises of Pakistan Army’s Strategic Force Command,” and “marked the culmination phase of the training exercise and validated the operational readiness of the Strategic Missile Group … equipped with Shaheen-1 Missiles.” The road-mobile Hatf-4 is believed to be an improved version of the Chinese CSS-7 (M-11), itself a modified Scud. The Hatf-4 is believed to have a range of 750 km, and is designed to destroy strategic assets such as airports, oil refineries, shipyards, ports, and factories. Today’s test came just two days after India announced its first successful interception of a ballistic missile, using a Prithvi-2 missile to shoot down a second, incoming one. (Article, Link)
» More stories on: Pakistan, Testing - Foreign
» Missile details: CSS-7, Hatf 4
Pakistan Launches Hatf-4
December 8, 2004 :: BBC :: News
Pakistan today tested its Hatf-4 (Shaheen 1) Ballistic missile, with an estimated range of 700km. The test is Pakistan’s second in ten days. On November 29, Pakistan launched the Hatf-3, with a range of 290km, and on October 12 it tested the Hatf-5, with a range of 1500-1800km.
The Hatf-4 is able to deliver both nuclear and conventional warheads. Pakistani television, PTV World, noted in a report on today’s test that the Hatf-4 missile has been handed over to the Pakistan Strategic Force Command, along with the Hatf-3 and Hatf-5. (Article, Link)
» More stories on: Pakistan, Testing - Foreign
» Missile details: Hatf 4
Pakistan Tests Shaheen
October 8, 2003 :: Yahoo News :: News
Pakistan has tested its Shaheen-1 ballistic missile, just days after a test launch of the Ghaznavi (Hatf-3). The Shaheen 1 (Hatf-4) is nuclear capable, and has a range of 1,000km, although the AFP reports a range of 700km. (Article, Link)
» More stories on: Proliferation, Testing - Foreign
» Missile details: Hatf 3, Hatf 4
