Missile Ghaznavi

The Ghaznavi, designated military Hatf-III, is a solid-propellant, single-stage short-range ballistic missile. Development began in 1994 following the 1993 procurement of M-11 missiles from China, which were determined to be insufficient for operational requirements. The program was conducted alongside the Abdali program, with a rocket engine test recorded in 1995.

The system utilizes an inertial guidance system supplemented by terminal guidance, providing a circular error probable of 50 meters. It is capable of carrying conventional high explosive or nuclear warheads. Nuclear warhead options provide a blast yield ranging from 12 to 20 kilotons. The missile is deployed on a WS2400 eight-wheel-drive transporter erector launcher.

The Pakistan Army Strategic Forces Command is the operator of the system. The missile entered service in 2004 and reached active duty deployment in 2012. The first flight test occurred in 2002 during a military standoff. Subsequent training launches were conducted in 2003, 2004, 2006, 2010, and 2012. A 2008 test was performed as part of a winter training exercise, and a night training launch was conducted in 2019. The system is currently in active service.