Khaibar-1

For other uses, see Khaybar (disambiguation).
Khaibar-1
TypeRocket artillery
Place of originSyria
Service history
Used by Syria
 Iran
Hamas
Hezbollah
Wars2006 Lebanon War
Syrian Civil War
Israel-Hamas War
Israel–Hezbollah conflict (2023–present)
Production history
DesignerSyrian Scientific Studies and Research Center (CERS)
VariantsR-160 (Hamas variant)
Specifications
Mass750 kg (launch weight)
Length6.3 m (rocket)
Width0.302 m (body diameter)
Caliber302 mm
CarriageUnique Syrian-designed launcher
Effective firing range100 km, 2014 M-302 150km
FillingPossibly cluster munition or fragmentation warhead

The Khaibar-1 (Arabic: خيبر-1), also known as the Khyber-1, M-302,[1] B-302[2] and the R160[3] is a Syrian-made 302 mm[4] unguided artillery rocket. It is best known for being used by Hezbollah against targets in northern Israel during the 2006 Lebanon War, and has also been used in the Syrian Civil War. It is a derivative of the Chinese WS-1 rocket.[1]

The Khaibar-1 is significant because the rocket has a 100 km range,[5][6] longer than the BM-21 Grad rockets that make up most of the Hezbollah rocket force. It uses a unique Syrian-designed launcher and possibly a cluster munition[7] or fragmentation warhead.[8][9] The rocket is easily recognizable by its fixed tail fins. In its M-302 incarnation, it is capable of 150km range.[10]

The rocket is often misidentified as Iranian[11][12] or as a variant of Iranian Fajr-3[8] or Fajr-5 rockets.[13]

Hamas claims to be able to manufacture its own version of the M-302, named the R-160, named after one of its former leaders Abdel Aziz Al Rantisi.[3]

  1. ^ a b Yuri Lyamin and N.R. Jenzen-Jones (March 12, 2014). "Assessment of the Khaibar-1 Rockets Captured by the IDF". Armament Research Services.
  2. ^ William M. Arkin, Divining Victory: Airpower in the 2006 Israel-Hezbollah War (2007) p. 35 ISBN 978-1585661688
  3. ^ a b Hamas Firing China-Designed, Syria-Made M-302 Rockets: Israel - NBC News, July 14 2014
  4. ^ "Hezbollah's Rocket Blitz - by David Eshel". Defense Update. 2006-10-29. Archived from the original on 2017-12-22. Retrieved 2013-10-19.
  5. ^ Zelikovich, Moran (1995-06-20). "Police: Missile fired at Hadera - Israel News, Ynetnews". Ynetnews. Ynetnews.com. Retrieved 2013-10-19.
  6. ^ "'Hezbollah has long-range surface-to-air missiles'". Jpost.com. 2012-01-19. Retrieved 2013-10-19.
  7. ^ "302mm Khaibar (M-302)". Foundation for Defense of Democracies. 28 October 2013. Archived from the original on 15 September 2017. Retrieved 8 March 2018.
  8. ^ a b William M. Arkin, Divining Victory: Airpower in the 2006 Israel-Hezbollah War (2007) p. 34 ISBN 978-1585661688
  9. ^ "Civilians under Assault: Hezbollah'ss Rocket Attacks on Israel in the 2006 War: Hezbollah's Arsenal". Human Rights Watch.
  10. ^ Cite error: The named reference haa1 was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
  11. ^ Anthony H. Cordesman, Martin Kleiber. Iran's Military Forces and Warfighting Capabilities (2007) ISBN 978-0-89206-501-1 p.60-61
  12. ^ Pontin, Mark Williams. "The Missiles of August".
  13. ^ Dullum, Ove (30 June 2010). The Rocket Artillery Reference Book (PDF). Norwegian Defence Research Establishment (FFI). ISBN 978-82-464-1829-2.