Pakistan Missile Research and Development Program
Pakistan's missile research and development programme began with the planning stage in early 1987. According to General Mirza Aalam Baig of the Pakistan Army,once intelligence information that India was already developing nuclear missiles had been authenticated, then President Zia ul Haq was informed. He then made two decisions: firstly, Pakistan would not develop chemical weapons due to moral principles. Secondly, Pakistan would build short and medium range missiles with appropriate guidance systems.
The programme has since spawned several strategic missile systems capable of being armed with conventional or nuclear warheads. Designated the Hatf series, the ballistic and cruise and missiles have been created by several Pakistani organisations often cooperating or competing with each other.According to General Beg, the Hatf designation was chosen by personnel at the Pakistan Army General Headquarters (GHQ) involved with the research and development programme.
A list of missiles developed by Pakistan .
Indicates missiles still under development.
Surface-to-Surface Missiles
Battlefield range ballistic missiles (BRBM)
§ Abdali-I
Short range ballistic missiles (SRBM)
§ Ghaznavi
Medium range ballistic missiles (MRBM)
§ Ghauri I
Intermediate range ballistic missiles (IRBM)
§ Ghauri-III *
§ Shaheen-III *
Intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM)
§ Taimur (above 7,000 km range)
Short range Missile (SRM)
§ NASAR
Cruise missiles
§ Babur (Hatf VII) - ground-launched cruise missile (submarine launched version under development)
§ Hatf-VIII (Ra'ad) - Air launched Cruise Missile developed exclusively for launch from Aerial Platforms.
Anti-tank guided missiles (ATGM)
§ Baktar-Shikan
Air-to-surface Missiles
§ H-4 SOW - rocket-boosted, precision-guided glide bomb
§ Ra'ad (Hatf VIII) - air launched cruise missile
Surface-to-Air Missiles
