BBC reported in 2010 that Pakistan is in the advance stages of developing MIRV technology with the help from the Chinese for its missiles.[6]
The National Interest called Ababeel "the Ultimate Nuclear Missile." The missile's stated purpose is to defeat Indian ballistic missile defense systems.[7]
The missile has a length of 21.5 meters and a diameter of 1.7 meters and is designed to carry both conventional and nuclear warheads. It has multiple independently targetable reentry vehicles (MIRV), demonstrating South Asia’s first MIRV payload.[7] It has a maximum range of 2,200 kilometres (1,400 mi).[5][8][9]
Some sources suggest that Ababeel is a further development of the Shaheen-III airframe and solid-fuel motors, but with a payload fairing of enlarged diameter to accept the MIRV warhead.[4] The second stage is also lengthened.[10]
The first publicly announced test launch was conducted on 24 January 2017.[11][12][13] As of June 2017 no missiles were thought to be operationally deployed.[1]
On 18 October 2023, Pakistan announced it had conducted another test of the missile, referring to it as the "Ababeel Weapon System".[2]
