Pakistan's Ballistic Missile Arsenal in the Face of Regional Dynamics

Ballistic missiles are a crucial element in modern combat. In modern war, ballistic missiles have a significant function in a state's internal and external security. They significantly enhanced the defence and offensive capabilities of advanced nations and a few third-world nations such as Argentina, Brazil, Pakistan, Egypt, India, etc. Countries such as America, Russia, and China have the most modernized ballistic missiles deployed both within and outside of their borders in order to protect and maintain their superiority over each other. Therefore, it's acknowledged that in modern war, the most sophisticated weapons can lead to the devastating loss of enemy troops. In this case, ballistic missiles are a great option.

In essence, a ballistic missile is a weapon which follows a suborbital flight path, intending to send several warheads towards a specific location. These ballistic missiles are guided through the rules of orbital mechanics and ballistics. Nazi Germany was the first to develop ballistic missiles, referred to as V-2 missiles. The V-2 missile in the 1930s and the 1940s, under the supervision of Werner Von Braun. Ballistic missiles are launched from mobile, fixed points or launchers, such as vessels, aircraft, and submarines. Additionally, ballistic missiles may differ in their range and effectiveness and can be classified into different categories based on their range.

The first is that Tactical ballistic weapons are missiles that fall under the category of low-range missiles. Their distance is anywhere between 150 to 300 km. A low-range missile is also called a battlefield-range ballistic missile (BRBM) with a range of fewer than 100 kilometres. Second, intermediate-range missiles, more commonly known under the term theatre ballistic missile [IBM], are separated into two types: short-range ballistic missiles with a limit of less than 1,000 km. The other is middle-range missiles with an area of between 1000 km to 3500 km. The third category is the Long-range ballistic missiles (LRBMare missiles) with an area of between 3500 km and 5500 kilometres. The Intercontinental ballistic missile with a greater than 5500 km is similar to this. It also falls in the long-range missiles.

Last but not least, the submarine-launched ballistic missile (SLBM) has the same intercontinental range. However, it's launched from a ballistic missile submarine. Therefore, there are a variety of ballistic missiles, which are distinguished by their range and payload.

Pakistan is at a critical point in its history. India has had remarkable success in its extensive missile programs that have posed an imminent threat to Pakistan's fragile security defence infrastructure. Apart from ballistic missiles, such as Trishul, Aksh and the anti-tank Nag, India deployed Prithri, which has a range of between 150 and 250 km, which makes Pakistan the entire country vulnerable to its deadly attack. In addition, India developed a long-range Agni, which, equipped with inertial guidance and secured by electronic countermeasures, has the capability of delivering nuclear warheads as distant as Beijing, Jakarta, Riyadh and Tehran. Furthermore, the Polar space launcher with the capability for the intercontinental range is another missile being developed by India.

But, Pakistan was compelled to take action against the Indian missile programs, so she first approached China to purchase missiles. She received a tiny amount of short-range tactical missiles during the latter part of the 1980s. In the aftermath of the transfer of these missiles, America had several objections. However, it was surprising that they could have done more to prevent India from deploying missiles across South Asia. To ensure that there was a level of equilibrium between Pakistan and India, both countries initiated a missile development and research program that was their own. Over some time, Pakistan has been in a position to manufacture its range of ballistic weapons. 1989 was the first time Pakistan could develop a Haft one with a payload of 500kg. The following year, the country developed Haft 2 with a vast range of 250 kilometres. Then, in July of 1977, Pakistan tried out a larger version of her missile called the Haft-3 Ghaznavi with 600 km of range, and it is said to be a significant breakthrough. In the 1990s, Pakistan was prosperous in making Ghauri missiles made of liquid fuel along with liquid fuel Shaheen missiles that range between 180 and 2000 km and the anti-aircraft Anza and tanks against BaktarShikan. These missiles are built on the most advanced scientific technology and control and guidance systems. Pakistan, in 2005, also conducted tests on a cruise missile, which had 700 km of range; in 2007, an air-launched cruise missile that had a 350 km range was tested, which could carry conventional nuclear warheads, and can strike targets deep in India. These are indigenous ballistic missiles manufactured by Pakistan through the sheer force of her capabilities and expertise.

To make the long tale shorter, the ballistic weapons equipped with conventional warheads constitute an incredible advancement in contemporary warfare. They can be used to strike airfields, weapons and ammunition depots, petroleum storage facilities, communication junctions, etc. Creating such missiles may weaken the victim's determination and ability to withstand aggressiveness. In light of Indian remarkable advancements in modern warfare, especially in ballistic missiles, Pakistan must acquire a scientifically advanced and standard ballistic missile, not to be used in an offensive but rather for defensive purposes. Since the beginning, Pakistan has had hostile relations with Delhi, and Delhi has been a ferocious opponent since the very beginning. The problem of Kashmir has exacerbated the tensions between the two countries since it is a matter of life or loss for Pakistan...In the interest of maintaining equilibrium throughout South Asia, Pakistan must keep a ratio of 1 third of the military industry compared to the Indian arsenals. Although Pakistan has successfully acquired a sufficient amount of ballistic missiles, there's always a need to do more. Afghanistan is situated in a country such as Pakistan, with a long and insecure border with India to its east and west. Ballistic missiles are crucial to safeguarding vast borders. Brave troops aren't more important than modern war arsenals.