July 29, 2007: Pakistan had another successful test
of its latest strategic nuclear missile, the 1.5 ton Haft VII. This is a cruise
missile, with a range of 700 kilometers. This system was first tested in 2005.
The seven missiles of the Hatf series were all developed in the last twenty
years.
The smallest of these is the 1.5 ton Hatf I, which
appeared in 1989, has a range of 80 kilometers and a half ton warhead. Also
showing up in 1989, the 2.5 ton Hatf II has a range of 180 kilometers, and also
carries a half ton warhead. The four ton Hatf III has a range of some 300
kilometers and also carries a half ton warhead. The Hatf IV, weighing 9.5 tons,
and carrying a one ton warhead, has a range of 700 kilometers. The sixteen ton
Hatf V is the only remaining liquid fuel missile. First tested in 1998, it has
a range of some 2,000 kilometers and carries a .7 ton warhead. However, this
missile will probably be quickly replaced by the recently tested Hatf VI. This
missile was first publicly displayed in 2000, but has apparently undergone more
years of development. The Hatf VI has had several successful tests lately, and
has a maximum range (with the proper guidance system) of 2,500 kilometers.
Pakistan has imported a lot of Chinese and North
Korean missile technology, and has bought missile components from both
countries.
