Fulcrum of Pakistan’s strategic deterrence: Shaheen-III

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Islamabad, 12 April 2022 (TDI): Pakistan successfully conducted a missile test on Saturday. Shaheen-III, a surface-to-surface medium-range ballistic missile, was tested in the trial. Pakistan had also conducted a test of the same missile in January 2021.

The news of the missile test was shared by the Director-General of the Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR), Major General Babar Iftikhar, on his official Twitter handle.

The previous variants of the missile are Shaheen-I and Shaheen-II. The purpose of this latest test was to revalidate different designs and technical parameters of the surface-to-surface ballistic missile.

Director-General of the Strategic Plans Division (SPD), Lieutenant General Nadeem Zaki Manj, other officials, and a team of scientists witnessed the successful launch of Shaheen-III.

Shaheen-III is a two-stage, solid-fueled medium-range ballistic missile (MRBM) from the arsenal of Pakistan. It can carry both nuclear as well as conventional payloads.

The missile has a range of 2,750 km. It is a road-mobile missile that is mounted on a transporter erector launcher. The missile was publicly unveiled during the Pakistan Day military parade in 2016.

The length of Shaheen-III is 19.3 m, and it has a diameter of 1.4 m. The surface-to-surface land-based missile, with its range, can strike all of India, including the Nicobar and Andaman Islands whence launched. It can also reach the Middle East and parts of North Africa.

Shaheen-III is a solid-fuelled missile equipped with the Post-Separation Altitude Correction (PSAC) system. PSAC system enables it to adjust the warhead trajectory for better accuracy and precision to circumvent anti-ballistic missile defense systems.

Whilst solid fuel is best for instantaneous response capabilities. The missile further strengthens the strategic deterrence of Pakistan.