Pakistani IRBM enters service

Islamabad, Apr 25 : The Pakistan Government has stated that Hatf VI Intermediate Range Ballistic Missile (IRBM) is ready for deployment in the services.

Hatf VI, also known as Shaheen 2, is moved using a transporter erector launcher (TEL).

The missile is believed to be an upgraded Pakistani version of the Chinese M-18, which was originally shown at the 1987 Beijing air show as a two-stage missile with a 1,000 km range and carrying a 900-1100 pound payload, strategypage.com reported.

There have been at least five successful test launches of the Shaheen 2 in the last four years. The missile's 2,000-kilometer range puts Bombay, New Delhi, Lucknow, and Jaipur, as well as all military targets in northern India, within range.

This missile was first publicly displayed in 2000, but there has been a further improvement.

Pakistan has acquired Chinese and North Korean missile technology and has bought missile components from both countries.

ANI