Ababeel (missile)

This article is about Pakistani MRBM. For Iraqi SRBM, see Ababil-100.
Not to be confused with Operation Ababil.
Ababeel Missile
TypeMIRV surface-to-surface missile ballistic missile
Place of origin Pakistan
Service history
In service2017–Present
Used by Pakistan Army
(Army Strategic Forces Command)
Production history
Designed2010–2017
ManufacturerNational Engineering & Scientific Commission (NESCOM)
Specifications (Technical data)
Height21.5 m (71 ft)
Diameter1.80 m (5.9 ft) (Tip), 1.40 m (4.6 ft) (Body)
Maximum firing range2,200 km (1,400 mi)[1]
WarheadHE/NE
Warhead weight3-8 MIRVs
3 Warheads of 500kg each (standard)
5 Warheads of 300kg each
8 Warheads of 185kg each
Blast yield>50 kilotons of TNT (210 TJ)
TransmissionAutomatic
SuspensionWS21200 16WD
(With Pakistani military markings)
PropellantSolid-fuel[1]
Guidance
system
Inertial, Terminal
Launch
platform
Transporter erector launcher (TEL), Launch pad

Ababeel Missile (Urdu: أبابيل; lit. Ababeel) or the Ababeel Weapon System[2] is an MIRV surface-to-surface medium-range ballistic missile developed by Pakistan.[2] It is "aimed at ensuring survivability of Pakistan's ballistic missiles in the growing regional Ballistic Missile Defense (BMD) environment", in response to the Indian anti-ballistic missile systems.[3][4][5]

BBC reported in 2010 that Pakistan is in the advance stages of developing MIRV technology with the help from the Chinese for its missiles.[6]

The National Interest called Ababeel "the Ultimate Nuclear Missile." The missile's stated purpose is to defeat Indian Ballistic Missile Defense systems.[7]

The missile has a length of 21.5 meters and a diameter of 1.7 meters and is designed to carry both conventional and nuclear warheads. It has multiple independently targetable reentry vehicles (MIRV), demonstrating South Asia’s first MIRV payload.[7] It has a maximum range of 2,200 kilometres (1,400 mi).[5][8][9]

Some sources suggest that Ababeel is a further development of the Shaheen-III airframe and solid-fuel motors, but with a payload fairing of enlarged diameter to accept the MIRV warhead.[4] The second stage is also lengthened.[10]

The first publicly announced test launch was conducted on 24 January 2017.[11][12][13] As of June 2017 no missiles were thought to be operationally deployed.[1]

On 18 October 2023, Pakistan announced it had conducted another test of the missile, referring to it as the "Ababeel Weapon System".[2]

  1. ^ a b c "2017 Ballistic and Cruise Missile Threat". National Air and Space Intelligence Center (NASIC). Retrieved 25 September 2017.
  2. ^ a b c Shirazi, Iftikhar (18 October 2023). "Pakistan conducts successful flight test of 'Ababeel' weapon system". Dawn. Retrieved 18 October 2023.
  3. ^ Cite error: The named reference ISPR, PR, 24 Jan was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
  4. ^ a b "Ababeel". Missile Threat. Retrieved 22 November 2021.
  5. ^ a b "Pakistan conducts first flight test of Ababeel surface-to-surface missile". Dawn. 24 January 2017. Retrieved 24 January 2017.
  6. ^ Hasan, Syed Shoaib (1 December 2010). "Pakistan's growing nuclear programme". BBC. Archived from the original on 19 October 2021.
  7. ^ a b Keck, Zachary (9 March 2018). "Pakistan Has Just Tested the Ultimate Nuclear Missile". The National Interest.
  8. ^ "Pakistan conducts first flight test of surface-to-surface Ababeel missile". Express Tribune. 24 January 2017. Retrieved 24 January 2017.
  9. ^ Panda, Ankit (25 January 2017). "Why Pakistan's newly flight-tested Multiple Nuclear Warhead-Capable Missile really matters". The Diplomat. Retrieved 25 September 2017.
  10. ^ Cite error: The named reference Global Security, Ababeel was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
  11. ^ "Statement for the Record: Worldwide Threat Assessment", Defense Intelligence Agency, US, March 6, 2018.
  12. ^ Cite error: The named reference ISPR, Tweet, 24 Jan was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
  13. ^ "Pakistan successfully test fires long range missile Ababeel". Pakistan Today. Retrieved 24 January 2017.
    "Pakistan successfully conducts test of ballistic missile 'Ababeel'". The News International. 24 January 2017. Retrieved 24 January 2017.
    "Pakistan conducts successful test of surface-to-surface 'Ababeel' missile". Geo TV. Retrieved 24 January 2017.
    "Pakistan conducts successful test of long range missile Ababeel". Samaa TV. Retrieved 24 January 2017.