Ghauri-III
{{short description|Cancelled Medium-range ballistic missile project}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=May 2024}}
{{infobox weapon
| name = Ghauri-III
| origin = {{PAK}}
| type = MRBM
| is_ranged = yes
| is_bladed = no
| is_explosive = yes
| is_artillery = yes
| is_vehicle = yes
| is_missile = yes
| is_UK = no
| designer = Khan Research Laboratories (KRL)
| design_date = 2003–2004
| spec_label = Technical data
| max_range = {{cvt|3000|km|mi}}
| engine = Two-stage
| guidance = Inertial, Terminal
| propellant = Liquid-propellant
| launch_platform = Launch pad
}}
The Ghauri-III (Urdu: غورى–ااا) was the codename of a rocket program aimed at developing land-based medium range ballistic missile to fulfill Pakistan's objective of attaining a ground-based second-strike capability.{{cite web |last1=AP |title=Pakistan test fires medium-range missile |url=https://www.nbcnews.com/id/wbna5134394 |publisher=NBC News |access-date=10 October 2023|date=4 June 2004}}
Development of the Ghauri-III commenced in 1999 with a planned operational range of 3,000 kilometers (1,900 miles). Led by the Kahuta Research Laboratories (KRL), the program featured a unique design. However, it remained in the design phases and was eventually scaled down, ultimately leading to its complete termination in 2005.{{rp|245}}{{cite book |last1=Khan |first1=Feroz |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=yGgrNAsKZjEC&dq=ghauri+iii&pg=PA245 |title=Eating Grass: The Making of the Pakistani Bomb |date=7 November 2012 |publisher=Stanford University Press |isbn=978-0-8047-8480-1|access-date=10 October 2023}}
Background
File:Range of the Ghauri-III.svg
Development of the Ghauri-III, aimed at achieving ground-based second-strike capability, commenced in 1999 with the Khan Research Laboratories (KRL) spearheading the rocketry program. Its propellant technology drew influence from the Nodong-1 of North Korea, knowledge of which Pakistan acquired between 1993 and 1995.{{rp|245}} The Ghauri program operated concurrently with the Shaheen program, both striving to achieve second-strike capability, with ranges extending as far as eastern India.{{cite web |last1=Bokhari |first1=Eas |title=Ghauri" (Hatf -V) and World Missiles |url=http://defencejournal.com/may98/ghauri_worldmissiles1.htm |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/19990221011238/http://defencejournal.com/may98/ghauri_worldmissiles1.htm |archive-date=21 February 1999 |accessdate=11 March 2015 |website=defencejournal.com/ |publisher=Defense Journal, 1998}}
In 1999, the Khan Research Laboratories (KRL) concluded numerous trials for its designed rocket engine and progressed towards warhead designs.Pakistan Completes 'Trials' of Ghauri-III Missile Engine Islamabad The News 30 September 1999 page 10 -- Pakistan has successfully completed the trials of Ghauri-III missile's engine at Kahuta Research Laboratories. Ghauri-III would cover the range of over 3,000 kilometres. However, without the contribution from North Korea, the Ghauri-III program encountered numerous setbacks and costly trial-and-error processes to make it feasible. Delays in developing an indigenous liquid-fuel propellant further hindered the program's progress, placing it behind in competition with the Shaheen program. Despite successful rocket engine testing, no further tests were conducted, despite numerous rumors suggesting otherwise.{{rp|246}}{{cite news |last1=news agencies |date=21 May 2004 |title=Pak Ready To Launch 3,500-km Ghauri-III Missile in June |url=http://www.indolink.com/displayArticleS.php?id=052104045210 |url-status=usurped |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150402141256/http://www.indolink.com/displayArticleS.php?id=052104045210 |archive-date=2 April 2015 |accessdate=11 March 2015 |publisher=India Today,2004 |agency=India Today}}
In 2011, the chief designer Abdul Qadeer Khan testified to the existence of the Ghauri-III program in an article published in The News International.{{cite news |last1=Khan |first1=Abdul Qadeer |date=28 May 2011 |title=Musharraf stopped funds for Ghauri-III missile saying: "Do you want to destroy Israel" |url=http://www.thenews.com.pk/Todays-News-13-6307-Musharraf-stopped-funds-for-Ghauri-III-missile-saying-%E2%80%9CDo-you-want-to-destroy-Israel%E2%80%9D |url-status=dead |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20150402193141/http://www.thenews.com.pk/Todays-News-13-6307-Musharraf-stopped-funds-for-Ghauri-III-missile-saying-%E2%80%9CDo-you-want-to-destroy-Israel%E2%80%9D |archivedate=2 April 2015 |accessdate=11 March 2015 |agency=The News International}} Subsequently, in 2012, its existence was officially acknowledged by Pakistani government officials, who cited the program's cancellation due to the Khan Research Laboratories (KRL) inability to render it feasible within the designated timeframe, in contrast to the successful production of the Shaheen-III under the Shaheen program in 2015.{{rp|246}}{{cite web |title=Tipu – Pakistan Missile Special Weapon Delivery Systems |url=https://fas.org/nuke/guide/pakistan/missile/tipu.htm |website=Federation of American Scientists}}{{cite web |title=Tipu – Pakistan Missile Special Weapons Delivery Systems |url=https://www.globalsecurity.org/wmd/world/pakistan/tipu.htm |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170803022758/http://www.globalsecurity.org/wmd/world/pakistan/tipu.htm |archive-date=2017-08-03 |website=GlobalSecurity}}
See also
;Related developments
;Related lists
References
{{reflist}}
External links
- [http://www.fas.org/news/pakistan/1999/fbis-nes-1999-0930.htm FAS.org news report – Ghauri-III engine trials completed]
- [https://web.archive.org/web/20090515231601/http://missilethreat.com/missilesoftheworld/id.42/missile_detail.asp MissileThreat.com article on Ghauri-3]
{{Pakistan Missiles}}
{{Military of Pakistan|state=collapsed}}
Category:Ballistic missiles of Pakistan