Pakistan has recently announced that it successfully carried out a test flight of an indigenously developed ship-launched ballistic missile (SBLM), capable of engaging targets in sea and land with great precision.
The weapon system, which is equipped with a state-of-the-art navigation system and maneuverability features, has a range of 350km, significantly enhancing the defensive and offensive capabilities of the Pakistan Navy. The advanced navigation system of the missile allows for mid-flight adjustments in speed and trajectory, making them tough to detect.
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Chief of the Naval Staff, senior officers of the Pakistan Navy, and scientists and engineers witnessed the test flight, according to a Pakistan Navy statement.
A video released by the Pakistan Navy showed the word 'SMASH' on the missile, which was launched from a Zulfiquar-class frigate. According to media reports, the missile shares similarities with China's CM-401 Anti-Ship Ballistic Missile (ASBM), suggesting Chinese technological influence in its development.
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According to IDRW, the missile is designed to be compatible with various launch platforms, offering it the necessary operational flexibility. This missile is expected to enhance Pakistan's deterrent capabilities in the Indian Ocean. This development is also significant considering Pakistan's long-standing tensions with India.
The move is expected to bring in a more balanced power dynamic in the region, even as India is exponentially increasing its naval strength with the addition of advanced aircraft carriers and submarines. It is likely that the flight test of the missile by Pakistan may prompt India to accelerate its own military modernisation efforts.
