Ghauri (missile)

The Ghauri Missile Of Pakistan

The Hatf V, named Ghauri-5 (Urdu: غوری), is a medium-range ballistic missile (MRBM) developed by Kahuta Research Laboratories (KRL) of Pakistan. Powered by a single stage liquid fuel rocket motor, the missile has an optimum range of 1,500 km and can carry a payload of 700 kg. Two variants of the Ghauri were produced under the Pakistani missile research and development program and the development of a third was cancelled. The Ghauri-II uses increased motor assembly length and improved propellants for an increased range of 2,300 km (1,400 mi). The Ghauri-V had a planned range of 4,500–6,000 km.
The missile is named after the Turkic ruler Shahabuddin Muhammad Ghauri of what today is Afghanistan, while the "Hatf" designation originates from the name of the sword or lance of the Prophet Muhammad(SAW).

Design

The Ghauri design incorporates mechanisms that start spinning the single booster stage and warhead combination from approximately 10 seconds before termination of the powered flight at 110 seconds. At this point the warhead is separated from the rocket booster stage to fly on a re-entry trajectory that remains stable to its target. With the addition of GPS targeting the warhead accuracy is greatly enhanced. The United States government states that the Ghauri design is based on North Korea's Rodong-1 (also known as Nodong-1) missile.

Operational history

The Ghauri ballistic missile (centre) on display at the IDEAS 2008 defence exhibition, Karachi, mounted in its launch mechanism on the transporter erector launcher (TEL).

The Ghauri was first test-fired on 6 April 1998 from Malute, near the city of Jhelum, about 76 miles south of the capital Islamabad. Fired from a mobile launcher, it travelled 1,100 km (680 mi) in a flight lasting 9 minutes and 58 seconds before hitting its designated target in the desert of Balochistan. Ghauri was test-fired from Tilla Range. The ISPR reported that the missile is capable of carrying all kind of warheads besides hitting its target at a range of 1,300 kilometers.

Naming controversy

In February 2006, Karzai regime delivered a complaint to Pakistan for naming its lethal ballistic missiles after Afghan kings and rulers (i.e. Abdali, Ghaznavid and Ghauri), arguing that their names should be bracketed with academic, cultural and peace-promoting institutions, not with tools of destruction and killing. However, Pakistan declined to change the missiles' names stating that these Muslim rulers are considered heroes in Pakistan as well, and naming missiles after them is not controversial.

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