The Hatf IX ("Vengeance IX") or Nasr ( ur, نصر), is a solid fueled

tactical ballistic missile A tactical ballistic missile (TBM), or battlefield range ballistic missile (BRBM), is a ballistic missile designed for short-range battlefield use. Typically, range (aeronautics), range is less than . Tactical ballistic missiles are usually ...

system developed by the

National Development Complex National Defence Complex (NDC), ( ur, ) also known as National Development Complex, National Development Centre, is a Pakistani state-owned defence and aerospace contractor which is a division under the National Engineering and Scientific Comm ...

(NDC) of Pakistan. The ISPR described the system as a "Multi-tube Ballistic Missile" because the launch vehicle carries multiple missiles. Its existence was revealed after a test in 2011 and it appears to have entered service after further testing in 2013.

Background

According to defence analysts and missile technology experts the system appears to have been developed as a "low-yield battlefield deterrent" targeted at "mechanized forces like armed

brigade A brigade is a major tactical military formation that typically comprises three to six battalions plus supporting elements. It is roughly equivalent to an enlarged or reinforced regiment. Two or more brigades may constitute a division. Br ...

s and divisions." Therefore, it is believed by analysts that the system is deployed to deter and respond to India's " Cold Start" doctrine. The

military A military, also known collectively as armed forces, is a heavily armed, highly organized force primarily intended for warfare. It is typically authorized and maintained by a sovereign state, with its members identifiable by their distinct ...

ISPR maintains that the Hatf IX was developed to "add deterrence value... at shorter ranges... with high accuracy, shoot and scoot attributes" for "quick response." Pakistan confirmed that these tactical nuclear weapons are intended to be used against Indian troops on Pakistani soil. According to analysts, if used just inside Pakistani territory, it would counter the cold start doctrine and maximize

ionizing radiation Ionizing radiation (or ionising radiation), including nuclear radiation, consists of subatomic particles or electromagnetic waves that have sufficient energy to ionize atoms or molecules by detaching electrons from them. Some particles can travel ...

exposure while minimizing blast effects which would be more dangerous for the

Indian army The Indian Army is the land-based branch and the largest component of the Indian Armed Forces. The President of India is the Supreme Commander of the Indian Army, and its professional head is the Chief of Army Staff (COAS), who is a four- ...

than for local people as the blast yield is much lower than

strategic nuclear weapon A strategic nuclear weapon (SNW) refers to a nuclear weapon that is designed to be used on targets often in settled territory far from the battlefield as part of a strategic plan, such as military bases, military command centers, arms industries, ...

Design

The Hatf IX ''Nasr'' is a ballistic missile which carries a sub-kiloton

tactical nuclear weapon A tactical nuclear weapon (TNW) or non-strategic nuclear weapon (NSNW) is a nuclear weapon that is designed to be used on a battlefield in military situations, mostly with friendly forces in proximity and perhaps even on contested friendly territo ...

out to a range of . Four missiles are carried on the same Chinese-origin 8x8

transporter erector launcher A transporter erector launcher (TEL) is a missile vehicle with an integrated tractor unit that can carry, elevate to firing position and launch one or more missiles. History Such vehicles exist for both surface-to-air missiles and surface-to-su ...

(TEL) as the

Pakistan Army The Pakistan Army (, ) is the Army, land service branch of the Pakistan Armed Forces. The roots of its modern existence trace back to the British Indian Army that ceased to exist following the partition of India, Partition of British India, wh ...

's A-100E 300mm Multiple Launch Rocket System (MLRS), a Chinese version of the

BM-30 Smerch The BM-30 ''Smerch'' ( rus, Смерч, "tornado", "whirlwind"), 9K58 Smerch or 9A52-2 Smerch-M is a heavy self-propelled 300 mm multiple rocket launcher designed in the Soviet Union. The system is intended to defeat personnel, armore ...

Capabilities

The missile can carry nuclear warheads of appropriate yield with high accuracy. Pakistan has claimed that it was designed to overcome missile defense systems. It is also claimed that this missile is accurate. In one of the released test fire footage; the Nasr missile can be seen hitting a target with pinpoint accuracy. However actual figures of the CEP have not been disclosed. Mansoor Ahmed, of Quaid-e-Azam University’s Department of Defence and Strategic Studies claimed: "Its in-flight maneuverability is being improved to defeat potential Indian missile defenses against artillery rockets and short-range ballistic missiles, such as the Israeli

Iron Dome Iron Dome ( he, כִּפַּת בַּרְזֶל, Kippat Barzel) is a mobile all-weather air defense system developed by Rafael Advanced Defense Systems and Israel Aerospace Industries. The system is designed to intercept and destroy short- ...

system." He further went on to say that the system is "fully integrated into the centralized command-and-control structure through round the clock situational awareness in a digitized network centric environment to the decision makers at National Command Center. Nasr is obviously India-specific and the salvo launch capability is a key ability in stopping Indian armored thrusts into Pakistani territory."

History

The missile's existence was first reported after a test-firing on 19-April-2011. A 4-missile salvo fired on 5 October 2013 is believed to have marked the conclusion of the testing programme and the system's likely entry into service. An extended range missile was tested recently.

References

External links

CSIS Missile Threat - Hatf 9
;Related lists *

List of missiles of Pakistan A list of missiles used by Pakistan. Surface-to-surface missiles Rocket Artillery * KRL Ghazab — (40 km) * A-100E — (120 km) — ''(China)'' * Fateh-1 — (150 km) Anti-tank Guided Missiles (ATGM) *BGM-71 TOW — (3.75& ...