Ababeel MIRV Ballistic Missile

The Ababeel (Hatf-VIII) is Pakistan's first multiple independently targetable re-entry vehicle (MIRV) ballistic missile under development by NESCOM. The system is intended to defeat India's evolving ballistic missile defence architecture (AAD/PDV) by dispensing several warheads along separate trajectories. The Ababeel has undergone limited test flights and is not yet operational. Its claimed range is 2,200 km. Development represents a significant qualitative advancement in Pakistan's nuclear deterrence and responds directly to Indian BMD investments.