Pakistan successfully test fires Shaheen-1 surface-to-surface ballistic missile

Pakistan conducted successful test launch of Shaheen-1 surface-to-surface ballistic missile. The test was conducted part of a training exercise aimed at testing the operational readiness of Army Strategic Forces Command for ensuring Pakistan’s credible minimum deterrence. The test come days after India conducted the first night trial of Agni-II surface-to-surface medium range nuclear-capable missile having strike range of 2,000 km.

About Shaheen-1 missile

It is a land based supersonic short-range ballistic missile (SRBM). It has been jointly designed and developed by joint venture of Pakistan’s National Engineering and Scientific Commission (NESCOM) and National Defence Complex (NDC).  Its design is reportedly based on Chinese M-9 missile. It was first tested in April 1999.

It derives its name after a species of Falcon found in the mountains of Pakistan. It is also designated as Hatf IV. It is capable of delivering all types of warheads (conventional as well as nuclear). It has strike range of 650 KMs, bringing a number of Indian cities under its range. It is propelled by a two-stage solid-fuel rocket motor.

Month: Current Affairs - November, 2019