Hatf-II Abdali
The Hatf-II Abdali (left) in Karachi, ca. 2008.
TypeSRBM
Place of origin Pakistan
Service history
In service2005–Present
Used by Pakistan Army
Production history
DesignerSpace Research Commission
(Rocket stage)
Defense Science & Technology Organization
(Warhead design/assembly)
Designed1995–97
ManufacturerSpace Research Commission
Specifications (Technical data)
Mass1,750 kg (3,860 lb)
Length9.75 m (384 in)
Diameter0.56 m (22 in)
Maximum firing range200 km (120 mi)
WarheadSingle conventional HE/ICM
Warhead weight500 kg (1,100 lb)
EngineSingle-stage
Payload capacity450 kg (990 lb)
Drivefour-axle
TransmissionAutomatic
SuspensionMAZ-7310 8WD wheeled
(With Pakistani military markings)
PropellantSolid-propellent
Operational
range
180 km (110 mi) with 250 kg (550 lb) payload[1]
200 km (120 mi) with 450 kg (990 lb) payload[1]
Guidance
system
Inertial, Terminal
Accuracy100 m (330 ft)—150 m (490 ft) CEP.[2]
Launch
platform
Transporter erector launcher (TEL), Silo[3]
TransportTransporter erector launcher

The Abdali (Urdu: ابدالى; Military designation: Hatf–II; Trans.: Target-2) is a land-based supersonic and tactical short-range ballistic missile (SRBM), currently in military service with the strategic command of the Pakistan Army.[3]

Designed and developed by the Space Research Commission (SRC), the program is codename after Durrani (from Abdali tribe) with its Pakistani military deployment designated as Hatf-II.[4]

Originally, the design was conceived in 1993 but was cancelled due to acquisition of M-11 missiles from China in 1994.[2] Despite cancellation, the work on the program continued and was made feasible for funding in 1995 when the new design was approved for deployment.[2]

Design and specification

The Abdali is a derivation of Hatf-I but its accuracy is sufficient for use against military targets such as enemy bases or airfields.[5] Originally, the Abdali program was conceived in 1993 and designed as the two-stage version of the Hatf-I– essentially a solid-propellant stage was attached to the bottom of a Hatf-I.[2] The design was rejected by the Defense ministry working under Benazir Bhutto's administration which made the decision to acquire Chinese M-11 in 1994.[2] Despite cancellation, the design work continued to evolved and was approved in 1995 that made it feasible to start the work on the project.[2]

The Abdali has a range of 150 km—190 km[2] and an accuracy of 100m—150m CEP.[2] It is equipped with an inertial guidance or either with traditional terminal guidance.[2] The Abdali is not capable to carry NE but can carry single HE explosive or improved conventional munitions (ICM) warheads.[2]

It can be equipped with a variable payload up to 500 kg, and has a launch weight of 1,750 kg. It uses a single-stage solid propellant engine and has a length of 9.75m and a width of 0.56m.[2] The Abdali is transported with Pakistan-reverse engineered former Soviet eight-wheel drive MAZ-7310 truck with visible official Pakistani military markings.[6]

Development history and current status

Originally, the Abdali program was conceived in 1987 and designs of the missiles were adopted by the Space and Upper Atmosphere Research Commission, but it never got the adequate funds for the program.[7] In 1993, the Pakistan government took initiatives and considerations on acquiring M-11 missiles from China for a quick deployments.[8][9] Though, Pakistan was able to make the purchase for the deployment of M-11 missiles but any attempts to reverse engineer the Chinese system for extended range and nuclear capability failed since the M-11 where never designed for such role.[2][10]

Eventually, the MoD working under Benazir Bhutto's administration agreed to provide funds for the Abdali with SRC with taking a role as designer with the warhead design and assembly being completed by the MoD's DESTO.[7][11] With the backing of the Prime Minister Benazir Bhutto, a new design was conceived in 1997 with the development of the program continued in secrecy until 2001.[12]

On 28 May 2002, the Abdali–I was first successfully test fired from Sonmiani Flight Test Range and reached its designated range of 110mi (180km).[12] The Pakistani military information source, the ISPR noted the test trial as "successful" and concluded its testing "for now".[12] Further and additional tests were conducted on 2005 and 2006.[13][14] Abdali is currently deployed and under production.[3][15]

Concurrently, the Abdali-I was again tested out from the TEL system and continues to reach its range of 110mi (180km).[16] Its last tests were conducted on 13 February 2013, the Abdali-I was test fired.[17]

The Pakistani military deployment and color marking for this system is designated as Hatf-II but the codename for this system in remembrance of the Afghan King Ahmed Abdali whose dynasty founded the Great Afghanistan and wasnoted to have been in frequent conflict with India.[4]

References

  1. ^ a b "Hatf-2-Pakistan Missile Special Weapons Delivery Systems". fas. Archived from the original on 10 June 2018.
  2. ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l "Abdali (Hatf 2)". Missile Threat.
  3. ^ a b c Missile Defense Project, "Abdali (Hatf 2)," Missile Threat, Center for Strategic and International Studies, October 25, 2016, last modified August 2, 2021, https://missilethreat.csis.org/missile/hatf-2/.
  4. ^ a b "Kabul objects to Pakistani missile names". Dawn, 2006. AP. 23 February 2006.
  5. ^ "Abdali (Hatf 2)". Missile Threat. Retrieved 30 September 2023.
  6. ^ "Army: Pakistan conducts training launch of cruise missile". chinadailyhk. Retrieved 30 September 2023.
  7. ^ a b Khan, PA, Brigadier Feroz (2012). Eating Grass: the making of Pakistan bomb. Stanford, CA: Stanford University Press. p. 552. ISBN 9780804776011.
  8. ^ Rosecrance, Richard, ed. (2001). The new great power coalition : toward a world concert of nations. Lanham, Md.: Rowman & Littlefield. ISBN 0742510093.
  9. ^ Hwang, Mel Gurtov ; Byong-Moo (1997). China's security : the new roles of the military. Boulder [u.a.]: Rienner. ISBN 1555874347.((cite book)): CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link)
  10. ^ Rajain, Arpit (2005). Nuclear deterrence in Southern Asia China, India, and Pakistan. Thousand Oaks, Calif.: SAGE Publications. ISBN 8132103254.
  11. ^ Khan, Zafar (2014). Pakistan's Nuclear Policy: A Minimum Credible Deterrence. Routledge. ISBN 978-1317676003. Retrieved 25 December 2014.
  12. ^ a b c Knight, Will (28 May 2002). "Third Pakistani test missile fired". New Scientist, 2002. New Scientist.
  13. ^ "Pakistan Tests Hatf Again". www.spacewar.com.
  14. ^ "Jane's Strategic Weapon Systems".
  15. ^ "Pakistan Missile Update - 2003". Archived from the original on 1 December 2008.
  16. ^ "Pakistan successfully test fires Ballistic Missile Hataf-2 Abdali". The Nation. 11 March 2011. Retrieved 25 December 2014.
  17. ^ "Pakistan test fires Hatf II Abdali missile". The Nation. 15 February 2013. Retrieved 25 December 2014.

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