{"id":57089,"date":"2018-10-10T16:58:34","date_gmt":"2018-10-10T16:58:34","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/one.sightlinemg.com\/defensenews\/uncategorized\/2018\/10\/10\/pakistan-tests-its-hatf-v-ballistic-missile-but-why-bother-when-more-capable-missiles-exist\/"},"modified":"2026-08-08T00:13:06","modified_gmt":"2026-08-08T00:13:06","slug":"pakistan-tests-its-hatf-v-ballistic-missile-but-why-bother-when-more-capable-missiles-exist","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/one.sightlinemg.com\/defensenews\/global\/asia-pacific\/2018\/10\/10\/pakistan-tests-its-hatf-v-ballistic-missile-but-why-bother-when-more-capable-missiles-exist\/","title":{"rendered":"Pakistan tests its Hatf-V ballistic missile \u2014 but why bother when more capable alternatives exist?"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

ISLAMABAD \u2014 Pakistan has conducted a training launch using its Hatf-V\/Ghauri I medium-range ballistic missile<\/a> that, according to a statement from the military\u2019s ISPR media branch, was \u201caimed at testing the operational and technical readiness of Army Strategic Forces Command.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

An accompanying compilation clip of Monday\u2019s test<\/a> was unusual in that it showed the inert re-entry vehicle striking the target area, an aspect not always shown in such tests.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Ghauri I is a liquid-fueled missile with a range of 1,300 kilometers, and despite being described as able to carry nuclear or conventional warheads, analysts agree that the system, which has a mixed reliability record, has essentially been relegated to a training role.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Author, analyst and former Australian defense attache to Islamabad, Brian Cloughley, was attached to an MGR-1 Honest John Regiment when he served with the British Army in Germany from 1967-1969. The MGR-1 was a nuclear capable rocket widely used by NATO forces at the time. He says such tests as the one carried out on Monday must be regularly conducted.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cIt\u2019s good training, basically, even with a first-generation system, and the missiles are always there for a final emergency. One of the best aspects of training is the exercising of command and control in real time. That is always most valuable,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Using the stock of cheaper, less advanced Ghauri missiles for such test purposes leaves the more capable Shaheen series of solid-fuel missiles to be used operationally.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Unlike the Ghauri, the Shaheen series of missiles do not require a large logistics train for carrying fuel, or potentially up to two hours to prepare the missile for launch, and can instead be launched within a matter of minutes.<\/p>\n\n\n\t