Shaheen-II Missile:
The Pakistani military recently conducted the successful training launch of its surface-to-surface ballistic missile Shaheen-II.
- Shaheen-II Missile is a Pakistani medium-range surface-to-surface ballistic missile.
- It is believed that the Shaheen 2 is derived from the People’s Republic of China (PRC)-developed M-18, though this has not been confirmed.
- It is a solid-fueled, two-stage missile with an estimated range of 1,500–2,000 km.
- It measures 17.2 m long, 1.4 m in diameter, and weighs 23,600 kg at launch.
- It is designed to carry conventional or nuclear payloads.
- Its separating warhead is thought to feature four small motors to improve accuracy; the missile’s accuracy is estimated at 350 m circular error probable (CEP).
- It is transported and launched by a 6-axle transporter erector launcher (TEL).
- A ballistic missile is a rocket-propelled, self-guided strategic weapons system that follows a ballistic trajectory to deliver a payload from its launch site to a predetermined target.
- They are powered initially by a rocket or series of rockets in stages, but then follow an unpowered trajectory that arches upwards before descending to reach its intended target.
- They can carry conventional high explosives as well as chemical, biological, or nuclear munitions.
- They can be launched from aircraft, ships, and submarines, in addition to land-based silos and mobile platforms.
