ISLAMABAD: Recent reports indicate that the Pakistan Navy is consideringthe acquisition of the Chinese CM-401 short-range anti-ship ballisticmissile system as part of its ongoing modernization program. This advancedweaponry, designed to target high-value naval assets including aircraftcarriers, destroyers, and frigates, represents a significant leap inmaritime strike capabilities. The missile’s integration could enhancePakistan’s defensive posture in the Arabian Sea and Indian Ocean regions,amid escalating tensions with neighboring India.
Unlike conventional cruise missiles that maintain low-altitude flights atsubsonic or supersonic speeds, the CM-401 employs a quasi-ballistictrajectory. This allows it to achieve hypersonic velocities, exceeding Mach5 during its terminal phase, thereby reducing the window for enemyinterception. Equipped with inertial navigation systems, satellite guidancefor mid-course corrections, and an active terminal seeker, the missileensures high precision even against maneuvering targets at sea.
The CM-401’s hypersonic speed and agile flight path pose a formidablechallenge to existing naval defense systems, such as those employed by theIndian Navy. In comparison, India’s BrahMos missile, a supersonic cruisemissile developed jointly with Russia, operates at speeds up to Mach 3 butfollows a more predictable low-level trajectory, making it potentiallyvulnerable to advanced countermeasures. If inducted, the CM-401 couldprovide Pakistan with a qualitative edge, enabling rapid strikes thatminimize reaction times for adversaries.
This potential acquisition underscores the deepening military cooperationbetween Pakistan and China, with Beijing emerging as a key supplier ofadvanced defense technologies to Islamabad. Such developments are likely toalter the dynamics of naval warfare in South Asia, prompting concerns overan arms race in the region. Analysts suggest that the CM-401’s deploymentwould compel India to invest further in hypersonic defense systems,potentially straining resources and escalating strategic rivalries.
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Beyond immediate tactical advantages, the induction of the CM-401 alignswith Pakistan’s broader strategy to safeguard its maritime interests,including protecting vital sea lanes and economic zones. While officialconfirmation from the Pakistan Navy remains pending, the system’s proveneffectiveness in Chinese naval exercises highlights its reliability. Thismove, if realized, could redefine power projection in the Indo-Pacifictheater, emphasizing the role of hypersonic technologies in modernconflicts.Source: www.globalsecurity.org”>https://www.globalsecurity.org
