Ghauri (missile)

Infobox Weapon
is_missile=yes
name=Ghauri-I/Hatf-V


caption= Ghauri missile just before a test launch
origin=
type=Medium-Range Ballistic Missile MRBM
used_by=
manufacturer=Kahuta Research Laboratories (KRL)
unit_cost=Unknown
propellant=
production_date=
service=Operational Jan 12 2003
engine=single stage liquid propellant engine
engine_power=
weight=15,850 kg
length=15.90 m
height=
diameter=1.35 m
wingspan=Unknown
speed=M 10+
vehicle_range=1,500 km
ceiling=
altitude=350 Km in first test flight
filling=
guidance=Inertial
detonation=
launch_platform=transporter erector launcher (TEL)

Ghauri ( _ur. غوری) is a medium-range ballistic missile developed by Kahuta Research Laboratories (KRL) of Pakistan. The designation of Hatf-V is also used for Ghauri.

The Ghauri-I has an optimum range of 1,500 km and can carry both a conventional and non-conventional payload. It is powered by a liquid propellant engine. Pakistan successfully carried out the test of the surface-to-surface Ghauri-I Missile with a range of 1500 km and a payload of 700 kg on April 6, 1998. This test represented a step forward in Pakistan's indigenous missile and satellite launch programme.

Ghauri-II is a longer ranged variant of the Ghauri-I missile. It was developed by increasing the length of the motor assembly and using improved propellants. The Ghauri-II missile has a range of 2,300 km (1,429 miles).

Ghauri-III with a range of 3500 km - 4000 km is under development.

Etymology

The Ghauri name (also spelled Ghori) is highly symbolic and taken from a Muslim historical figure, Muhammad Ghori who was a rival to the Hindu ruler Prithvi Raj Chauhan of India in the last decade of the 12th century. Prithvi missile is the name India has assigned to its Short-Range Ballistic Missile. "Prithvi" means "earth" in sanskrit. Following the April 6, 1998 test, the Pakistan also gave the designator Hatf-V to the Ghauri missile. Hatf was the name of the sword of Muhammad. Pakistan has designated all of its missiles as Hatf for this reason.

Background: Indian threat

Since the early 1990s, Pakistan felt threatned by ballistic missile attacks from India. With the heightening of tensions in the region. In May 1998 India tested nuclear weapons. Two weeks later Pakistan followed suit. With advanced indian missile delivery systems, this threat intensified. Both India and Pakistan has also developed and tested missile delivery systems.

In 1999, the Kargil War between India and Pakistan became the first direct conflict between two declared nuclear powers. Even though the war had not been openly declared by either side, Nawaz Sharif, the Prime Minister of Pakistan at that time in his biography has stated that Pakistan's nuclear assets were brought to a high alert level status, without actually having any operational warheads.

RANGE

Ghauri has a range of 1500 km.The range can be increased by lowering the payload.

The Ghauri-I test launch, April 6, 1998

Ghauri-I was test launched on April 6, 1998 from Malute, near the city of Jhelum, about 76 miles south of the Capital Islamabad. It climbed to a height of 350 km before hitting its designated target in the desert of Balochistan. The reports state that the missile was flight tested to a distance of 1,100 km/682 miles. The test flight was carried out completely overland. No advance notice of the actual flight test was given by Pakistani authorities. Pakistani sources also report that the flight test lasted 9 minutes and 58 seconds. Ghauri-I missile weighes 16 tons and consists of 13 tons of fuel, 700 kg warhead and the remaining weight is of the casing and equipment. The missile can carry a nuclear, chemical, or anti-tank warhead. The Ghauri missile was test fired from a mobile launcher.

Guidance/Accuracy

According to informations from Pakistan the test was completed without any error. The guidance system claims to be 100 percent perfect.Fact|date=November 2007 According to Pakistan's top missile and nuclear scientist, Dr. Abdul Qadeer Khan, "we did consult abroad for the components for the [guidance] system." A report from January 1998 claims the Ghauri is equipped with the latest guidance system and has an accuracy (CEP) of 250 m/820 ft at 1,500 km. The CEP of Ghauri has been upgraded to 190 meters [ [http://www.fas.org/nuke/guide/pakistan/missile/hatf-5.htm http://www.fas.org/nuke/guide/pakistan/missile/hatf-5.htm] ] .

Other missiles currently in the service of Pakistan are Hatf-I (BRBM), Abdali-I (BRBM), Ghaznavi (SRBM), Ghauri-II (MRBM), Ghauri-III (IRBM) (under development), Shaheen-I (MRBM), Shaheen-II (IRBM), Babur (cruise missile) and Ra'ad (cruise missile).

Operator

*: The military of Pakistan will be the sole operator of the Ghauri.

Note: Not every missile has nuclear payload.

See also

* List of missiles

References

External links

* http://www.fas.org/nuke/guide/pakistan/missile/hatf-5.htm
* [http://www.defencejournal.com/may98/pakmissiletech.htm Defence Journal]
* http://www.fas.org/news/pakistan/1998/04/980406-ghauri.htm
* [http://www.fas.org Federation of American Scientists]
* [http://www.pakdef.info The Pakistani Military Consortium]
* [http://pakdef.info/pakmilitary/army/index.html Ghuari]
* [http://www.pakistanidefence.com Pakistani Defence.com]