Babur (Hatf-VII)

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Cruise Missile

Babur (Hatf-VII)

Pakistan’s dual-capable ground-launched cruise missile

The Babur (Hatf-VII) is a Pakistani subsonic ground-launched cruise missile developed by NESCOM, first tested publicly on 11 August 2005. It can carry conventional or nuclear warheads and has a range of about 700 km.

Pakistan|NESCOM (National Engineering and Scientific Commission)
700 kmRange450 kgWarheadMach 0.7Missile Speed1,500 kgWeight2010Entered ServiceIn ServiceStatus

Overview

Pakistan first tested the Babur publicly on 11 August 2005. It flies at about Mach 0.7 at 5 to 100 m above the terrain, is about 6.2 m long and 0.52 m in diameter and weighs about 1,500 kg. It is designed for conventional warheads of around 450 kg and nuclear warheads. Guidance combines INS, TERCOM and DSMAC with GPS. The original range was about 500 to 700 km, and Pakistan claims the Babur-1B reaches 900 km.

Babur-3 is a submarine-launched version tested on 9 January 2017, with a claimed range of 450 km and a second-strike role. Pakistan has tested the Babur many times, with reported tests in 2005, 2007, 2008, 2010, 2016, 2018, 2020, 2023 and 2024. Its resemblance to the Tomahawk and Chinese DH-10 is widely noted, but Pakistan says it is indigenous. Pakistan is the only operator, through the Army Strategic Forces Command and the Navy for sea-launched versions. Rivals include India’s BrahMos and Nirbhay.

Babur (Hatf-VII)
Photo: SyedNaqvi90 (talk) (Uploads) / Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 3.0

Key Specifications

ManufacturerNESCOM (National Engineering and Scientific Commission)
CountryPakistan
ManufacturerNESCOM
CountryPakistan
First Flight2005
Entered Service2010
StatusIn Service
Length6.2 m
Caliber520 mm
Weight1,500 kg
Warhead450 kg
Missile SpeedMach 0.7
Range700 km
EngineTurbofan + solid booster
GuidanceINS + TERCOM + DSMAC + GPS
LauncherTransporter erector launcher (TEL)
Max AltitudeTerrain-hugging (5–100 m)

Variants

Babur-1 (Hatf-VII)

The Babur-1 (Hatf-VII) is the original ground-launched cruise missile tested in 2005.

Babur-1A / 1B

The Babur-1A and 1B are extended-range versions, with Pakistan claiming 900 km for the 1B.

Babur-2 / Babur-3 (SLCM)

The Babur-3 is the submarine-launched version tested in 2017 with a claimed range of 450 km.

Operators

Pakistan

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the range of the Babur missile?

The original Babur has a range of about 500 to 700 km. Pakistan claims the Babur-1B reaches 900 km.

Is the Babur missile nuclear capable?

Yes, the Babur is dual-capable and can carry conventional or nuclear warheads. The conventional warhead weighs about 450 kg.

Babur vs BrahMos: which is better?

The Babur is a subsonic cruise missile with a range of 700 km or more, while India’s BrahMos is supersonic at about Mach 2.8. The BrahMos is faster, the Babur flies terrain-hugging at Mach 0.7.

How fast is the Babur missile?

The Babur flies at about Mach 0.7, a subsonic speed. It follows a terrain-hugging profile at 5 to 100 m.

What is the Babur-3?

The Babur-3 is the submarine-launched cruise missile version of the Babur, tested on 9 January 2017. Pakistan claims a range of 450 km and a second-strike role.

Does any country besides Pakistan use the Babur?

No, Pakistan is the only operator of the Babur. The Army Strategic Forces Command and the Navy operate it.