ISLAMABAD: The Pakistan Navy has announced the successful test-firing ofits indigenously developed SMASH anti-ship ballistic missile from awarship, marking a significant advancement in the country’s navalcapabilities. The missile, launched during a live exercise in the ArabianSea, accurately struck a simulated target at sea, showcasing its precisionguidance system. Military officials hailed the achievement as a testamentto Pakistan’s growing self-reliance in defense technology, amid ongoingefforts to modernize its armed forces.
The SMASH missile, with an estimated range of 350 kilometers, is designedto engage both land and sea-based threats, including large naval vessels.Equipped with a supersonic speed and advanced maneuvering capabilities, itposes a formidable challenge to adversarial fleets. Experts note that thisweapon system enhances Pakistan’s anti-access/area denial (A2/AD) strategy,allowing it to deter potential aggressors in contested maritime zones. Thetest comes at a time of heightened regional tensions, particularly in theIndian Ocean.
Analysts suggest that the SMASH’s high-explosive warhead, weighing around500 kilograms, could inflict severe damage on massive targets like IndianAircraft Carrier. Anti-ship ballistic missiles like this are often dubbed”carrier killers” due to their ability to overwhelm defenses with speed andtrajectory. However, success would depend on factors such as detectionevasion, electronic countermeasures, and the carrier’s protective escort.Indian naval sources claim existing systems, including anti-missileshields, could neutralize such threats effectively.
The development of SMASH underscores Pakistan’s strategic focus onasymmetric warfare to counter numerically superior navies. Collaborationswith local defense industries have accelerated the production ofsophisticated munitions, reducing dependence on foreign suppliers. Thistest follows a series of similar exercises aimed at validating indigenoussystems, boosting morale within the ranks and signaling resolve tosafeguard national maritime interests.
Read Top Stories
Meanwhile, the Pakistan Navy plans further evaluations to integrate SMASHinto its fleet, potentially arming frigates and submarines for enhancedoperational flexibility.
Source:www.navalnews.com/naval-news/2024/11/pakistan-navy-conducts-successful-flight-test-of-homegrown-smash-slbm/”>https://www.navalnews.com/naval-news/2024/11/pakistan-navy-conducts-successful-flight-test-of-homegrown-smash-slbm/
