Rawalpindi: Pakistan conducted successful flight test of Shaheen-III medium-range surface to surface ballistic missile on Wednesday.
According to Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR), the military’s media wing, the test flight was aimed at re-validating various design and technical parameters of the weapon system and range of the ballistic missile which is 2,750 kilometers.
The successful flight test, with its impact point in the Arabian Sea, was witnessed by Chairman Joint Chiefs of Staff Committee (CJCSC) General Nadeem Raza, Director General Strategic Plans Division, Commander Army Strategic Forces Command, Chairman NESCOM and the scientists and engineers.
The Strategic Plans Division is responsible for the protection of Pakistan’s nuclear assets and agencies namely; KRL, NESCOM, PAEC and SUPARCO.
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President Dr Arif Alvi, Prime Minister Imran Khan, CJCSC and Service Chiefs have congratulated the scientists and engineers on successful conduct of today’s missile test.
Pakistan conducted successful flight test of #Shaheen-3 surface 2 surface ballistic missile,having range of 2750 Kms. Flt test aimed @ revalidating various design & tech parameters of weapon system. President, PM, CJCSC & Services Chiefs have congratulated scientists & engineers. pic.twitter.com/uZqxTBJJGv
— DG ISPR (@OfficialDGISPR) January 20, 2021
History of Shaheen III
NESCOM, the premier defence and research organisation pioneering in missile manufacturing, begun producing Shaheen-III missile in early 2000’s and was first tested on 9th March, 2015. Although the missile was originally conceived to be for the space program, later was built for military purposes.
With a long range of 2750 km, the Shaheen-III medium-range ballistic missile has the ability to strike deep into the Indian territory – even on the islands which were previously out of Pakistan’s reach and so reserved for second strike capability in case of a nuclear attack.
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The missile program, just like any defence production program was kept secret giving rise to many speculations – with some even reporting the country had developed an intercontinental ballistic missile.
It’s noteworthy that previously KRL, another defence production organisation founded by Dr AQ Khan had developed another medium-range ballistic missile called Ghauri-III. However, for the want of advancement of technology and feasibility of the project – NDC, a subdivision of NESCOM was tasked with producing Shaheen III missile system.