[3] The Hatf-I is deployed as rocket artillery weapon system and has been replaced by the improved Hatf-IA and Hatf-IB, which have a maximum range of 100 kilometres (62 mi).

[2] With the revelation of India's missile program, General Mirza Beg, then-chief of army staff working under President Zia-ul-Haq, launched a Hatf (lit.

: 236 [4] The Hatf-I was developed in haste to address India's challenge and led to allegations by the Western observation that the missile was derived from French and American designs.

As it is unguided, it should be considered a long-range artillery shell, with the location of the impact depending upon the proper direction, angle of launch and the ability of the missile to fly straight.

The Hatf IA increased maximum range to 100 km by using an improved rocket motor and lighter materials in the missile's construction.

It includes an inertial guidance system that considerably improves the accuracy of the missile and is otherwise identical to the Hatf IA, retaining the maximum range of 100 km and payload of 500 kg.