Missile Shaheen II

The Shaheen-II, designated Hatf-VI, is a land-based medium-range ballistic missile. Development of the system began in 2000 to establish a surface-based second-strike capability. Following a period of testing between 2004 and 2010 that evaluated propulsion, on-board electronics, and vehicle integration, the missile entered military service in 2014.

The missile employs a two-stage solid-propellant engine. Guidance is provided by an inertial system with terminal phase updates. The re-entry vehicle features four moving delta control fins and solid-liquid-propellant side thrust motors. These components orient the vehicle after booster depletion and provide stabilization during the terminal phase. The warhead is designed to change its trajectory multiple times during re-entry and perform evasive maneuvers to complicate interception by anti-ballistic missile systems. Accuracy is managed through terminal course corrections, which may utilize radar seekers or satellite-based positioning. The system is equipped with either high-explosive or nuclear warheads; nuclear options have a blast yield exceeding 40 kilotons.

The Shaheen-II is operationally deployed with the Pakistan Army Strategic Forces Command. The system is mobile, utilizing a 12-wheel-drive transporter erector launcher based on a heavy truck chassis. It is currently in active service.