Chronology of Pakistani Missile Development

Pakistan's Space and Upper Atmosphere Research Commission (SUPARCO) is created to oversee all space research and development programs.  

1962 

SUPARCO begins launching imported sounding rockets from a test range near the Indian Ocean.  

1970s 

SUPARCO develops the capability to fabricate rocket motors from raw materials. It has a solid-fuel manufacturing plant and maintains an instrument development facility and a rocket testing range.  

1980s 

Pakistan's surface-to-surface ballistic missile program begins in the early 1980s with development of the Hatf-1 and Hatf-2. The Hatf-1 has an estimated range of 80km and 500kg payload.  The Hatf-2 has an estimated range of 300km and a 500kg payload.  

1982 

SUPARCO's chairman, Dr. Salim Mehmud, says that his organization lacks skilled technical specialists, and that space technology-related training facilities are non-existent. He also complains about financial limitations on the space program and that development is stymied by a limited industrial infrastructure.  

1987 

Pakistan opens a rocket propellant factory.  

1989 

In April, tests of the Hatf-1 and Hatf-2 are announced.  Pakistan says it produced both missiles indigenously but Western sources suspect it received technical assistance from China.   

The Hatf-2 is displayed publicly for the first time during a Pakistan Day Joint Services Parade. The missile  was mounted on a mobile launcher converted from a British anti-aircraft gun carriage.  

1992 

An improved variant, the Hatf-1A, with a 100km range has reportedly been developed. 

China may have sold more than 30 ballistic missiles to Pakistan, including the M-11, with 300km range and 800kg payload.  

1996 

The Hatf-2 is declared operational.    

1997 

Pakistan announces a  test of the 800km Hatf-3 in July. 
  
1998   

In January, Pakistan announces development of  the 1,500km-range, 700kg payload, Ghauri ballistic missile.  

In April, a test-launch of the indigenously produced Ghauri is announced. However, on 4/14/98, US intelligence officials report that Pakistan had actually launched a North Korean-built Nodong missile.