The striking similarity of some Chinese and Pakistani solid fuel rockets
DF-11(A), DF-15(A), M-9, M-18 as well as Ghaznavi, Shaheen-1, Shaheen-2

Norbert Brügge, Germany

Update:
11.05.2012

It can not be denied, that the Pakistani solid fuel rockets Ghaznavi and Shaheen-1 are similar to the Chinese DF-11 missile type.
On photos is recognizable, that the Chinese DF-11 and DF-11A by set of some solid fuel segments are built.The DF-11 uses two segments. For the DF-11A is a third segment added.
For the Pakistani Shaheen-1 is a further half segment added. All rocket types have the same diameter of 0.88 m. The Shaheen-1 have however a striking extended skirt in the nozzle area, because the missile has another control system and a larger nozzle (?).

On photos is clearly recognizable, that also the Chinese DF-15 and DF-15A by set of several short solid fuel segments are built. Four segments uses the DF-15, and the extended DF-15A uses five segments. All rockets have a diameter of ~1.10 m. The DF-15 missile type is obviously not exported.

Unknown are the Chinese rocket variants M-9 and M-18. They are referred as export variants. So is suspected that the Pakistani Shaheen-1 corresponds to the M-9. The M-18 probably corresponds to the Pakistani Shaheen-2. The Chinese M-18 was allegedly shown at the 1987 Beijing air show. Now I have found Photos of the M-18 missile ! (see below)

The Shaheen-2 is totally different to the DF-11 and DF-15 missile types. The diameter is significantly 1.40 m. China Hexi Chemical & Mechanical Company presents solid motors for first stages with the name L-SpaB. Very capable for the Shaheen-2 is an engine L-SpaB-140B with 1.40 m in diameter and a length of 7.15 m. For the second stage is a shorter solid motor SpaB-140 capable.


It is also not known whether the Iran from China have bought M-9 or M-18 missiles.
This is unlikely. The new Iranian Sejil (syn. Ashura, Ghadr 110) missile is not of Chinese origin. It has presumably a relationship to older  Soviet technology (e.g. OKB Fakel 5Ya27 ABM). It is not known that China have builded solid rockets with a diameter of 1.25 m.
 

 


Nozzle comparison

DF-15/DF-11

    

Chinese DF-11

Pakistani Ghaznavi


   


 


                 


 

Chinese DF-11A


       
DF-11A (is stretched DF-11)


        



 



 

Chinese M-9

Pakistani Shaheen-1




Extended DF-11A with nozzle and skirt extension



No images




DF-11 motor ?


         
Copy of DF-11A with nozzle and skirt extension (M-9)

 
Shaheen-1 rear

Shaheen-1 with skirt extension
 

        

Chinese DF-15


       
The first short variant


 


 


DF-15B rear

Chinese DF-15A, -B, -C


DF-15A, -B, -C are stretched DF-15 with various wareheads


       
DF-15B
      
DF-15C


   
DF-15A
 

 


DF-15B


DF-15C

 

Chinese M-18

Pakistani Shaheen-2 (M-18)



Chinese solid L-SpaB-140B:  7.15 x 1.40 m; 15.10 t prop.; 594 kN s.l.


The M-18 is a two-stage missile with 1.40 m diameter
(allegedly shown at the 1987 Beijing air show)

Now the first image from a Chinese M-18 missile, ready for export


         
Pakistani  M-18


Shaheen-2 rear