At the beginning of June, Pakistan conducted another training and test launch of the Hatf VII Babur guided missile. Moreover, this launch was far from the first this year. Pakistan in the last ten to fifteen years has begun to attach particular importance to its missile weapons. At the same time, Pakistani engineers have achieved certain successes in the field of rocketry and their creations may well cause problems to any country in the region.
The above-mentioned missile "Hatf-7" or "Babur" was traditionally named after a famous historical character. Zahiriddin Muhammad Babur remained in history as the conqueror of India and the founder of the Mughal dynasty. In light of the long-standing "friendship" of India and Pakistan, the name of the rocket in honor of this particular statesman looks very interesting. However, the Pakistani missile is designed to intimidate the enemy by far from its name. The declared flight range of "Babur" is 700 kilometers, and the payload of 300 kilograms allows this missile to deliver nuclear warheads available to Pakistan to the target. In addition, the developers mention low radar signature and high accuracy. If even most of the accolades about Hatf VII are true, then India should be looking at the potential threat from an unfriendly neighbor. So, a flight range of 700 kilometers allows you to keep at gunpoint about 20-25 percent of the area of India. If "Baburs" really have low visibility for radar stations, then the fight against them will become really difficult.
It should be admitted that the Hatf-7 rocket did not appear yesterday or today. The development of this cruise missile was started back in the late 90s. At that time, Pakistan launched several projects to create missiles of various types and purposes to enhance the offensive power of its army. The first launch of the Babur rocket was made on August 11, 2005. Coincidentally (?), This event coincided with the birthday of the then President of the country P. Musharraf. In an official press release issued by the Pakistani Ministry of Defense, it was said that a prototype of a cruise missile successfully covered a distance of 500 kilometers and hit a training target. The launch site and the approximate location of the target, however, were not named. It is noteworthy that the data on the characteristics of the new missile were used by the Pakistani military not so much to praise the project itself as to advertise their forces. The country's Defense Ministry quite rightly noted a pleasant fact: Pakistan has joined the "elite club" of countries that not only possess nuclear weapons, but also have serious means for their delivery. Moreover, even seven years after the first flight of "Babur" Pakistan continues to be the only country in the Islamic world armed with such military-political "arguments."
The cruise missile Hatf VII Babur has a launch weight of a little less than one and a half tons and a total length of 7 meters. During the launch, the wings of the rocket are in a folded position and the cross-section of "Babur" does not exceed 52 centimeters. The initial acceleration of the rocket takes place using a solid-propellant first stage engine. The first stage itself is actually a metal cylinder with a tapered fairing on one side and nozzles on the other. The length of the first stage is about 70 centimeters. After the combustion of the charge, the first stage is separated and the main engine is started. According to reports, the latter is air-jet. However, there is still no exact data on its type or even class: different sources indicate a turbojet or turbofan engine. Pakistan itself has remained silent for now. Simultaneously with the launch of the main engine, the wings of the rocket unfold. Their design, apparently, is based on the telescopic principle. After the deployment mechanism is triggered, the wingspan is 2.67 meters. There is no exact data on the guidance system yet. The Pakistani military does not disclose information about her, although it allows some information to be "leaked". It is known that "Babur" uses an inertial guidance system and GPS navigation equipment. In addition, the control automation is able to fly around the terrain. During the flight using the main engine, the rocket speed fluctuates between 850-880 km / h.
Pakistan is not only building large land-based missiles. In the spring of this year, it was reported that the last stage of tests of the Hatf VIII Ra’ad rocket had begun. The first reports of this project appeared shortly after the start of tests of the Babur rocket. Seeing the prospects of the resulting missile, the Pakistani command desired to receive a similar delivery vehicle, but with the ability to launch from aircraft. Interestingly, Hatf VII can be used from ground launchers, ships or submarines, but not from aircraft. For some reason, airborne deployment was not provided. Probably, the weight and size parameters of "Babur" have affected. The Hatf-8 rocket, created on its basis, is 350 kilograms lighter and one and a half meters shorter than the second stage of the Hatf-7. The rest of the "Raad" is somewhat similar to its predecessor. Simultaneously with the change in the dimensions of the rocket, Pakistani engineers revised the use of internal volumes. Due to the launch from the aircraft, the new rocket does not have a launch booster in the form of a separate stage, and part of the volume for fuel tanks was given to the warhead. Hatf VIII can carry a warhead one and a half times heavier than the Babur warhead. Naturally, the increase in the combat qualities of the missile affected the flight. Smaller dimensions of the rocket and, as a result, a smaller supply of kerosene led to a reduction in the maximum launch range to 350 kilometers. JF-17 fighter-bombers of joint Sino-Pakistani production and French Dassault Mirage III can be used as carriers of the new missile. Upgraded Mirages are used for missile tests.
In May 2012, the fourth stage of testing of the Hatf-8 rocket began. It is expected that after him it will be put into service. So by the end of this year, the offensive potential of the Pakistani Air Force may increase significantly. Naturally, the relatively short range of the Ra'ad raises some questions. Thus, the American AGM-109L MRASM air-launched cruise missile (Tomahawk family), with dimensions and mass similar to the Hatf-8, had a range of about 600 kilometers. However, other versions of the "Tomahawk" had a much longer range and in 1984 the development of the AGM-109L was discontinued. On the other hand, Pakistan can hardly be called a world-class rocket-building country, and the above-mentioned Tomahawks did not appear out of the blue. To create modern cruise missiles of various basing requires not only good engineers, but also some experience in this area. As you can see, Pakistan is doing everything to get it as soon as possible.
It is obvious that in the very near future, Pakistani designers will show the world even more advanced missiles. It's time to assess the possible threat. First of all, it is worth recognizing that Pakistani missiles in the next ten years will not pose any threat to Europe. Russia is located a little closer to Pakistan, but the Hatfs are not a problem for it either: there are about 1,700 kilometers from the northernmost point of Pakistan to Russia. As a result, with a Hatf VII missile range of 700 kilometers, Islamabad can only threaten its neighbors. Of course, from time to time there are rumors and even news about the development of the Taimur ICBM with a range of about 7000 kilometers. But at the moment, Pakistan's creation of such a delivery vehicle looks dubious. This country simply does not have the necessary technologies and experience. Looking at a map of the world, it's not hard to guess who the Pakistani missiles will be targeting in the first place. The range of missiles available to Islamabad is sufficient to "cover" most of the territory of India. This country also has nuclear weapons. At the same time, the Indian military has missiles with the best range and throw-weight capabilities. Along with the means for a retaliatory strike (India reserves this right, but declares not to use nuclear weapons first), India also has means of protection against a first strike. These are the Russian-made S-300PMU2 anti-aircraft missile systems, which have limited capabilities to combat ballistic targets, as well as the recently put into operation specialized strategic missile defense systems PAD and AAD.
In general, Pakistani rocketry is gradually bringing its country closer to the world leaders in the field of nuclear weapons and their delivery vehicles. But the Islamic country will have to do everything on its own. Nuclear weapons delivery vehicles belong to the category of weapons that are always highly classified items. It is unlikely that any country will share with others its developments in this area, even the most general or outdated ones. Therefore, in the coming years we will observe something similar to what happened in the 60s and 70s of the last century between the USSR and the USA. Pakistan and India will build up their nuclear arsenals and improve missiles. Let's hope that on the coast of the Indian Ocean, as well as around the world, the strategy of nuclear deterrence will eventually prevail and the warheads will safely lie in warehouses for their entire shelf life.
