Shaheen-II

---

title: "Shaheen-II" type: doc version: 1 created: 2026-02-28 author: "Wikipedia contributors" status: active scope: public tags: ["2014-in-spaceflight", "military-equipment-introduced-in-the-2010s", "medium-range-ballistic-missiles-of-pakistan", "nuclear-missiles-of-pakistan"] description: "Medium-range ballistic missile" topic_path: "history/military" source: "https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Shaheen-II" license: "CC BY-SA 4.0" wikipedia_page_id: 0 wikipedia_revision_id: 0

::summary Medium-range ballistic missile ::

::data[format=table title="Infobox weapon"]

Field	Value
name	Hatf-VI Shaheen-II
image_size	300
type	MRBM
origin
	is_ranged
is_bladed	no
is_explosive	yes
is_artillery	yes
is_vehicle	yes
is_missile	yes
is_UK	no
	service
used_by
wars
designer	National Engineering & Scientific Commission
design_date	2000–2013
manufacturer	National Engineering & Scientific Commission
spec_label	Technical data
mass	23600 kg
length	17.2 m
diameter	1.4 m
passengers
max_range	2000 km
sights
traverse
haft_type
filling	HE/NE
filling_weight	1230 kg
yield	40 ktonTNT
engine	Two-stage
transmission	Automatic
suspension	MAZ-547A 12WD
(With Pakistani military markings)
guidance	Inertial, Terminal
steering
propellant	Solid-propellant
accuracy
launch_platform	Transporter erector launcher (TEL), launch pad
::

| name = Hatf-VI Shaheen-II | image = | image_size = 300 | alt = | caption = | type = MRBM | origin = | is_ranged = yes | is_bladed = no | is_explosive = yes | is_artillery = yes | is_vehicle = yes | is_missile = yes | is_UK = no | service = 2014–Present | used_by =

• Army Strategic Forces Command | wars = | designer = National Engineering & Scientific Commission | design_date = 2000–2013 | manufacturer = National Engineering & Scientific Commission | unit_cost = | production_date = | number = | spec_label = Technical data | mass = 23600 kg | length = 17.2 m | part_length = | width = | height = | diameter = 1.4 m | crew = | passengers = | cartridge = | cartridge_weight = | caliber = | barrels = | action = | rate = | velocity = | range = | max_range = 2000 km | feed = | sights = | breech = | recoil = | carriage = | elevation = | traverse = | blade_type = | hilt_type = | sheath_type = | head_type = | haft_type = | filling = HE/NE | filling_weight = 1230 kg | detonation = | yield = 40 ktonTNT | armour = | primary_armament = | secondary_armament = | engine = Two-stage | engine_power = | pw_ratio = | payload_capacity = | transmission = Automatic | suspension = MAZ-547A 12WD (With Pakistani military markings) | clearance = | fuel_capacity = | vehicle_range = | speed = | guidance = Inertial, Terminal | steering = | wingspan = | propellant = Solid-propellant | ceiling = | altitude = | boost = | depth = | accuracy = | launch_platform = Transporter erector launcher (TEL), launch pad | ref =

The Shaheen-II (Urdu:شاهين–اا; Military designation: Hatf-VI, Trans: Target-6), is a land-based medium-range ballistic missile currently in deployed in military service with the strategic command of the Pakistan Army.

Designed and developed by the National Engineering & Scientific Commission, Shaheen-II is a capable of nuclear weapons-delivery at vast range, and it is described as "highly capable missile which fully meets Pakistan's strategic needs towards maintenance of desired deterrence stability in the region" by the Pakistani military.{{cite book |last = Greisler |first = David |title = Handbook of technology management in public administration |publisher = CRC Press, 2006 |isbn = 978-1-57444-564-0|date = 2006-11-15

The National Air and Space Intelligence Center of the United States Air Force estimates that "as of 2017 fewer than 50 Shaheen-II were operationally deployed.

Description

Development and design of the Shaheen-II influenced from Pakistan's need for attaining surface-based second strike capability in a case of Pakistani military facing the Indian Army in an event of large-scale conventional war. Since 2000, the United States had prior knowledge of such program and was able to confirm it in 2005, when six-axled-ten-wheel MAZ vehicle was shown in the military barracks.

To Indian defense observes, Shaheen-II is seen as "backbone of Pakistan's survivability with ground-based second strike capability."

Re-entry design

The re-entry vehicle carried by the Shaheen-II missile has a mass of between 700 kg—1250 kg, which includes the mass of a nuclear warhead and a terminal guidance system.

Much of its engineering data, that is acceptable for public release, is provided by the Pakistani military and compiled by the American independent think tanks. This re-entry vehicle is unlike that of the Shaheen I in that it has four moving delta control fins at the rear and small solid-liquid-propellant side thrust motors, which are used to orient the re-entry vehicle after the booster stage is depleted or before re-entry to improve accuracy by providing stabilization during the terminal phase. This can also be used to fly evasive manoeuvres, making it problematic for existing anti-ballistic missile countermeasures to successfully intercept the missile. The Shaheen II warhead may change its trajectory several times during re-entry and during the terminal phase, effectively preventing radar systems from pre-calculating intercept points.

Ground-based deterrence

Main article: N-deterrence

::figure[src="https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/0/07/Temp_2S_SS16_Sinner_sketch.svg" caption="access-date=10 October 2023}}}}"] ::

Due to Pakistan's engineering feat, the American sources leveled serious allegations on China, and often compares missile to either of Chinese DF-11 or DF-25. Further evidence provided through a press video shown by its designing contractor, NESCOM, at the IDEAS conference in 2004, the missile can achieve "surgical precision". Between 2004–2010, Pakistani contractors committed to series of testing of the Shaheen-II that included its engine, propellent, on-board computers, programming, and vehicle testing.

The re-entry vehicle is also stated to utilize a GPS satellite guidance system to provide updates on its position, further improving its accuracy and reducing the CEP to 200 m—300 m. This has led to speculation that Shaheen-II incorporates a satellite navigation update system and/or a post separation attitude correction system to provide terminal course correction, which "may indicate a CEP of much less than 300 m." According to King's College London, "the current capability of Pakistani missiles is built around radar seekers."

References

References

1. (February 2015). "Giant leap: Agni-V, India's 1st ICBM, fired successfully from canister".
2. Staff writers. (23 May 2019). "Shaheen-II ballistic missile training launch successful: ISPR". DAWN.COM.
3. [http://www.fas.org/programs/ssp/nukes/NASIC2009.pdf Ballistic and Cruise Missile Threat – Federation of American Scientists.]
4. (June 2017). "Ballistic and Cruise Missile Threat". Defense Intelligence Ballistic Missile Analysis Committee.
5. (15 September 2020). "Pakistan's Security and the India–US Strategic Partnership: Nuclear Politics and Security Competition". Routledge.
6. (10 May 2007). "Archive | Your Source of News on the World Wide Web". Dawn.Com.
7. "Haft 6 "Shaheen 2"". CSIS Missile Threat.
8. "How 'Shaheen' Was Developed".
9. "Hatf 6 "Shaheen 2"". MissileThreat.
10. "International Assessment and Strategy Center > Research > Pakistan's Long Range Ballistic Missiles: A View From IDEAS".
11. "Ghaznavi / Shaheen-II - Pakistan Missile Special Weapons Delivery Systems".
12. Duncan Lennox; ''Hatf 6 (Shaheen 2), Jane’s Strategic Weapon Systems''; June 15, 2004.
13. (7 November 2012). "Eating Grass: The Making of the Pakistani Bomb". Stanford University Press.
14. "How 'Shaheen' Was Developed".
15. "Pakistan Seeks To Counter Indian ABM Defenses".

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