Involved in the biosynthesis of the chorismate, which leads to the biosynthesis of aromatic amino acids. Catalyzes the reversible NADPH linked reduction of 3-dehydroshikimate (DHSA) to yield shikimate (SA). It displays no activity in the presence of NAD. NADP(+) + shikimate = 3-dehydroshikimate + H(+) + NADPH kcat is 14.2 min(-1) for dehydrogenase activity with NADP or shikimate. Metabolic intermediate biosynthesis; chorismate biosynthesis; chorismate from D-erythrose 4-phosphate and phosphoenolpyruvate: step 4/7. Monomer or homodimer. Belongs to the shikimate dehydrogenase family.