Subordinate To: Directorate of Scientific & Technical Cooperation
Address: P.O. Box 502
Rawalpindi, Pakistan
Telephone: 92-51-9280541/9280126-7
Fax: 92-51-9280164/9280452
Email: stcd@isb.comsats.net.pk
URL: http://www.krl.com.pk
Person of Contact: Dr. Nazeer Ahmed
Primary Function: Import and manufacture of Ghauri/Hatf V liquid engine medium-range ballistic missiles in collaboration with North Korea.

Description and Activities:
Khan Research Laboratories (KRL) comprises a research and industrial complex; the scope of its activities cover uranium enrichment, reverse-engineering, and licensed manufacture of surface-to-surface, anti-aircraft, and anti-tank missiles. The KRL also produces scientific equipment for civilian use as well as consultancy services to the government and private sector companies in the areas of electrical and mechanical engineering, chemical and vacuum technology, metallurgy, electronics, electromagnetism, power generation, and air conditioning. Other military products manufactured by KRL include anti-personnel mine sweeping line charges; anti-tank mine clearing line charges; laser range finders; add-on-reactive armor kits; anti-tank ammunition-armor piercing fin-stabilized discarding sabot; remote control mine exploders; digital goniometers; power conditioners for missile systems; switched mode power supplies for radars, air defense automation systems; and TOW missile modules.

Pakistan's ballistic missile program is characterized by rival efforts to develop both solid-motor and liquid-engine technologies. While the former is overseen by the Pakistan Atomic Energy Commission (PAEC) with assistance from Chinese entities, the latter has been undertaken by KRL in collaboration with North Korea. In the late 1990s, North Korea transferred a small number of the medium-range (1,200-1,500km/700-1,000kg payload) liquid-engine Nodong ballistic missiles and mobile-erector launchers to KRL; the agreement with North Korea also most likely included provisions for technology transfers and the serial production of the Nodong missiles under license. KRL flight-tested the first Nodong, renamed Ghauri/Hatf V, in April 1999; North Korean technicians and engineers were present for the test and helped with the launch. Subsequently, the Ghauri was flight-tested in April 1999 and May 2002. North Korea is allegedly assisting KRL with the development of the Ghauri II, which reportedly will have a flight range of 2,000-2,500km.

KRL is believed to have provided North Korea with assistance in the development of the G-2 centrifuge technology for enriching uranium in exchange for technology transfers related to the Nodong program. Unverified rumors persist that KRL also assisted Iran with its centrifuge-based uranium enrichment efforts in the late 1980s and early 1990s. In May 1998, the United States imposed Missile Technology Control Regime (MTCR)-related Category-I sanctions for a period of two years on KRL and North Korea's Ch'anggwang Shinyong Company for the Nodong missile sale. The US government re-imposed sanctions on KRL for a period of two years in April 2003 for what the US embassy in Islamabad described as "material contribution to the efforts of a foreign country, person or entity of proliferation concern, to use, acquire, design, develop and or secure weapons of mass destruction."

Key Sources: Dr. A.Q. Khan Research Laboratories, Defense Export Promotion Organization, <http://www.depo.org.pk/products/krl/index.htm>; "Pakistan Tests Medium-Range Missile," Washington Post, 7 April 1998, p. A18; Chidanand Rajghatta, "U.S. Curbs on Pak over Ghauri," Indian Express (New Delhi), 5 May 1998; in Indian Express Archives, <http://www.indianexpress.com>; Celia W. Dugger, "Pakistan Tests New Missiles, Matching India in the Arms Race," New York Times, 15 April 1999, p. 9; in Lexis-Nexis Academic Universe, 15 April 1999, <http://web.lexis-nexis.com/>; Najum Mushtaq, "Pakistan: Khan forced out," Bulletin of Atomic Scientists, Vol. 57, No. 4, July/August 2001, <http://www.thebulletin.org>; David E. Sanger and James Dao, "U.S. Says Pakistan Gave Technology to North Korea," New York Times, 17 October 2002, <http://www.nytimes.com>; David E. Sanger, "In North Korea and Pakistan, Deep Roots of Nuclear Barter," New York Times, 21 November 2002, <http://www.nytimes.com>; David E. Sanger, "U.S. Rebukes Pakistanis for Lab's Aid to Pyongyang," New York Times, 1 April 2003, <http://www.nytimes.com>; Mark Hibbs, "Customs Intelligence Data Suggest DPRK Aimed at G-2 Type Centrifuge," Nuclear Fuel, Vol. 28, Number 11, 26 May 2003, pp. 3-4; David Albright and Corey Hinderstein, "Iran, player or rogue?" Bulletin of Atomic Scientists, Vol. 59, No. 5, pp. 52-58.

	Updated December 2003