Pakistan tests Abdali missile system

Pakistan claimed the Abdali missile has a range of 450 km. (Jewels Samad/AFP via Getty Images)

Pakistan has launched its Abdali surface-to-surface missile (SSM) system (also known as Hatf 2) as part of a recent military training exercise, the Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR) reported on 3 May.

The launch comes amid escalating tensions between India and Pakistan following a terrorist attack in Pahalgam in the Indian union territory of Jammu and Kashmir on 22 April.

ISPR said the “training launch” of the missile was part of ‘Ex Indus'. It did not elaborate but the name is likely a reference to an exercise conducted by the Pakistan military, possibly for the first time.

ISPR claimed that the Abdali missile has a range of 450 km, which could indicate the missile has been enhanced or that it was carrying a light payload.

Citing Pakistani military, J anes reported in 2006 that the Abdali SSM has a range of up to 200 km, can carry nuclear or conventional warheads, and has a payload of up to 500 kg. Janes assesses that a reduced payload of about 200–300 kg could increase the range of the missile to 450 km.

“The launch was aimed at ensuring the operational readiness of troops and validating key technical parameters, including the missile's advanced navigation system and enhanced manoeuvrability features,” ISPR said.

According to Janes Weapons: Strategic , the Abdali SSM entered service with the Pakistan Army in 2005. It is a single-stage, solid-propellent, road-mobile close-range ballistic missile (CRBM). The missile has an ogival nose and four clipped‐tip delta fins at the rear.

For more information, please see Pakistan test fires Hatf 2 missile .