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]
| Ababeel Missile | |
|---|---|
| Type | MIRV surface-to-surface missile ballistic missile |
| Place of origin |  Pakistan |
| Service history | |
| In service | 2017–Present |
| Used by |  Pakistan Army(Army Strategic Forces Command) |
| Production history | |
| Designed | 2010–2017 |
| Manufacturer | National Engineering & Scientific Commission (NESCOM) |
| Specifications (Technical data) | |
| Height | 21.5 m (71 ft) |
| Diameter | 1.80 m (5.9 ft) (Tip),1.40 m (4.6 ft) (Body) |
| Maximum firing range | 2,200 km (1,400 mi)[1] |
| Warhead | HE/NE |
| Warhead weight | 3-8 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) |
| Transmission | Automatic |
| Suspension | WS21200 16WD (With Pakistani military markings) |
| Propellant | Solid-fuel[1] |
Guidance system | Inertial, Terminal |
Launch platform | Transporter erector launcher (TEL), Launch pad |
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." While the missile's stated purpose is to defeat Indian Ballistic Missile Defense systems, it could theoretically also be used in a counterforce strike to destroy India's nuclear arsenal before it can be used.[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]