[5] According to defence analysts and missile technology experts the system appears to have been developed as a "low-yield battlefield deterrent" targeted at "mechanized forces like armed brigades and divisions.
[7][8][9] The military ISPR maintains that the Hatf IX was developed to "add deterrence value... at shorter ranges... with high accuracy, shoot and scoot attributes" for "quick response.
[5][11] The Hatf IX Nasr is a ballistic missile which carries a sub-kiloton tactical nuclear weapon out to a range of 60 km (37.3 mi).
[6][10] Four missiles are carried on the same Chinese-origin 8x8 transporter erector launcher (TEL) as the Pakistan Army's A-100E 300mm Multiple Launch Rocket System (MLRS), a Chinese version of the BM-30 Smerch.
He further went on to say that the system is "fully integrated into the centralized command-and-control structure through round the clock situational awareness in a digitized network centric environment to the decision makers at National Command Center.