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Shaheen-III Ballistic Missile

Shaheen-III Ballistic Missile

Manufacturer: National Development Complex (NDC)
Category: Missiles & Precision Weapons
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Guidance System Inertial Navigation System with possible terminal updates
Maximum Speed Estimated Mach 10+ reentry phase
Launch Compatibility Road-mobile TEL launcher
Warhead Technology Conventional or Nuclear-capable reentry vehicle

Defense Systems Full Specifications

1. General Information

Name / Designation	Shaheen-III
Type / Role	Surface-to-Surface Ballistic Missile
Country of Origin	Pakistan
Manufacturer	National Development Complex
Service Entry / Year Introduced	Tested 2015
Operational Status	Active / Limited Deployment

2. Performance & Range

Range	Approx. 2,750 km
Speed	Hypersonic ballistic reentry
Ceiling / Altitude Limit	Exo-atmospheric ballistic arc
Accuracy (CEP)	Undisclosed
Warhead Type	Conventional or Nuclear-capable

3. Guidance & Targeting

Guidance System	INS
Targeting Mode	Pre-programmed ballistic strike
Launch Platform Compatibility	Ground launcher
Seeker Type	None publicly confirmed

4. Physical Characteristics

Length	Estimated 17 to 19 m
Diameter	Estimated 1.4 m
Wingspan	N/A
Launch Weight	Estimated heavy class
Propulsion	Solid-fuel rocket

5. Warhead & Payload

Warhead Weight	Undisclosed
Explosive Type	Conventional / Nuclear
Detonation Mechanism	Impact or programmed
Payload Options	Strategic payloads

6. Operational Use & Capabilities

Operational Range Type	Long
Deployment Platform	Ground
Target Types	Strategic land targets
Combat Proven	No
Users / Operators	Pakistan

PROS

Longest publicly known range in Pakistan’s arsenal
Solid-fuel design enables quicker launch readiness
Road-mobile launcher increases survivability
Potential conventional or nuclear payload flexibility
Strengthens strategic deterrence posture

CONS

Exact performance data remains classified
High development and lifecycle costs
Limited transparency for export or comparison data
Ballistic trajectory vulnerable to missile defense systems
Strategic systems may raise regional tensions

Pakistan Shaheen-III Ballistic Missile

The Pakistan Shaheen-III is a medium to intermediate-range ballistic missile developed to strengthen Pakistan’s strategic deterrence capability. Designed as a surface-to-surface missile, Shaheen-III extends Pakistan’s reach beyond earlier Shaheen variants and is widely viewed as a key component of the country’s land-based nuclear deterrent force. Publicly revealed in 2015 after a successful test launch, the system was developed to cover long-distance targets and improve second-strike survivability.

Shaheen-III uses solid-fuel propulsion, allowing faster launch readiness and reduced preparation time compared with liquid-fuel systems. Its road-mobile transporter erector launcher (TEL) design improves survivability through mobility and dispersed deployment. The missile is believed to be capable of carrying conventional or nuclear payloads depending on mission configuration.

Manufacturer

Shaheen-III is associated with Pakistan’s National Development Complex (NDC), with support from the country’s broader strategic and aerospace industrial base. The system was developed domestically under Pakistan’s strategic weapons program, reflecting continued investment in indigenous missile production and propulsion technology.

Speed and Range

Open-source assessments estimate the Shaheen-III has a range of approximately 2,750 kilometers, making it the longest-range missile publicly tested by Pakistan. This range enables coverage of distant strategic targets across South Asia.

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The missile is believed to travel at high supersonic to hypersonic reentry speeds, commonly estimated above Mach 10 during terminal ballistic flight. Like other ballistic missiles, speed varies by flight phase.

Cost / Price

No official unit price has been publicly released. Because strategic missile programs include launchers, command systems, logistics, and security infrastructure, exact costs remain classified. Analysts generally assess such systems as high-value strategic assets costing many millions of dollars per deployed unit.

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