GS 3 – Defence
Overview: Amid rising tensions in India-Bangladesh relations, reports suggest that Dhaka is considering purchasing the Abdali Short Range Ballistic Missiles (SRBMs), also known as Hatf 2 missiles, from Pakistan.
- The Abdali missile, also referred to as Hatf 2, is a short-range, road-mobile, solid propellant ballistic missile.
- It was developed by Pakistan’s Space Research Commission (SUPARCO), and it is designed for quick-reaction battlefield scenarios.
Key Features:
- Dimensions: 6.5 meters in length, 0.56 meters in diameter.
- Weight: 1,750 kg at launch.
- Range: It has a range of 180-200 km.
- Warhead: It carries a 250-450 kg variable warhead, which could be a high explosive or submunition payload.
- Guidance System: Equipped with an inertial guidance system and a Circular Error Probability (CEP) of 150 meters.
- Engine: It uses a single-stage solid propellant engine.
- Mobility: The missile is carried on a road-mobile Transporter-Erector-Launcher (TEL) vehicle.
Capabilities:
- The Abdali missile‘s relatively small warhead limits its overall destructive power but provides sufficient accuracy to target critical military assets, such as:
- Military bases
- Airfields
- Critical infrastructure, like power plants and industrial facilities.