Islamabad: Pakistan has conducted a successful test launch of an indigenously developed Shaheen-1A surface to surface ballistic missile. The Pakistan military said in a statement that the test was “aimed at re-validating certain design and technical parameters of the weapon system”.
The flight test was witnessed by Director General Strategic Plans Division (SPD) Lt Gen Nadeem Zaki Manj, Chairman National Engineering and Scientific Commission (NESCOM) Dr Raza Samar, Commander Army Strategic Forces Command Lt Gen Muhammad Ali, and the scientists and engineers of the strategic organisations.
President Arif Alvi, Prime Minister Imran Khan, Chairman Joint Chiefs of Staff Committee Gen Nadeem Raza and the three services chiefs congratulated the scientists and engineers on the successful missile test that strengthens Pakistan’s defence, the army’s media wing said. Lt Gen Nadeem Zaki Manj appreciated “the technical prowess, dedication and commitment of scientists and engineers for their excellent contribution.”
Shaheen-1A
The Shaheen-1A is an extended-range variant of the Shaheen 1 (Hatf 4) missile, with an estimated 900km range. Its “sophisticated and advanced guidance system makes it a highly accurate missile system.” Shaheen-1A is capable of delivering different types of warheads.
The military’s statement did not give details on the range of the missile that it fired on Thursday. However, the Shaheen-1A missile that it tested in March this year had a range of 900km.
Pakistan first test-launched the Shaheen-1A on April 25, 2012. Three additional flight tests took place in November 2014, December 2015. The last test was conducted on March 26, 2021. Experts describe Shaheen-1A as a medium-range ballistic missile that travels above 1,000km.
