In recent development, Pakistan has successfully carried out a test-fire of the Shaheen-III missile. This incidence has garnered much attention due to its implications in the region and beyond. The following article presents a detailed analysis and sheds light on the specifics of this particular missile, other recent developments and finally, it brings into perspective some of India’s ballistic missiles.
Understanding the Shaheen-III Missile of Pakistan
The Shaheen-III is Pakistan’s nuclear-capable surface-to-surface ballistic missile. Unlike regular missiles, this one has an extensive striking range of up to 2,750 kilometers. This clearly means it can reach far-off targets with a degree of precision.
The recent launch conducted was not an arbitrary one. It had a definitive objective: to revalidate the various design and technical parameters of the weapon system. This essentially means that Pakistan wanted to ensure that all the integral parts were functioning optimally and as per the expectations. Furthermore, it also aimed at verifying if there were potential areas and scopes for improvements and enhancements in the weapon system.
Other Recent Developments
Apart from the Shaheen-III missile, there have been other notable developments as well. One of such key development involves China. China recently approached India regarding the Eagle-IX (also known as Shaheen-IX) military exercise, which is currently ongoing between the Chinese and Pakistani air forces.
This move by China comes amidst increasing tensions with India. As the regional dynamics are becoming more complex and dense, China has asked India to view this military exercise more “objectively”, indicating towards finding a fair and unbiased perspective.
Glimpse at Some of India’s Ballistic Missiles
India too has an impressive array of ballistic missiles at its disposal. Some of them include the Shaurya missile, Prithvi missile, Agni missile, and Dhanush. Each of these missiles comes with their unique set of capabilities and parameters.
The Shaurya missile, for instance, is a canister-launched hypersonic surface-to-surface tactical missile developed by the Indian Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO). It has been designed to carry payloads of more than one tonne and has a range of 700 km to 1900 km.
The Prithvi missile is a short-range ballistic missile. Its variants can strike targets within a range of 150 km to 350 km. Agni missile, on the other hand, is a series of medium to intercontinental range ballistic missiles. The series includes Agni I, II, III, IV, and V, each offering different ranges and capabilities.
Lastly, Dhanush is a naval variant of the Prithvi missile and can be launched from ships. Its operational range is around 350 km. This variety and sophistication in India’s missile system help maintain a balanced power equation in the region.
Through this article, one can gain an understanding of Pakistan’s Shaheen-III missile and its implications, the rapidly changing regional dynamics involving China, Pakistan, and India along with an insight into some of India’s ballistic missiles. Future developments in this domain will undoubtedly demand a keen eye on the news updates and a deeper understanding of geopolitical strategies.
