Pakistan recently announced a successful test-fire of a ‘ship-launched anti-ship ballistic missile (ASBM)’, sparking significant enthusiasm domestically. The Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR) confirmed an “indigenously developed” missile hit sea and land targets with “high precision” under the observation of naval officials and scientists. However, official details remained scarce.
Almost immediately, an aggressive online narrative emerged, particularly on pro-Pakistan platforms. These outlets promoted the missile as a hypersonic “carrier-killer” with an 850 km range, purportedly capable of threatening India’s INS Vikrant aircraft carrier. Doctored videos further fueled these exaggerated claims, contradicting the limited information released by ISPR.
The only publicly documented SMASH variant, tested in November 2024, was identified as the P282 SMASH with an approximate 350 km range, consistent with the Chinese CM-401. This earlier system was described as a coastal defense weapon, not a long-range hypersonic threat.
The latest test lacks crucial technical specifications such as range, speed, or launch platform details. While ISPR released a video, it offered no telemetry. Unsubstantiated claims of hypersonic capability and extended range from Malaysian defense portals remain unverified by independent analysts or official Pakistani sources.
The critical question isn’t whether Pakistan tested a missile, but whether the advertised capabilities match reality. There’s no official data supporting claims of hypersonic speeds or over 700 km range. Developing an effective ASBM also requires a sophisticated sensor-to-shooter chain, including satellites and real-time tracking, which Pakistan reportedly lacks compared to China’s advanced maritime surveillance network.
Considering the strategic context, Pakistan’s announcement might serve as a signaling function amidst its naval force’s operational challenges. For India, the INS Vikrant operates within a robust carrier battle group, protected by advanced air defense systems and supported by a layered defense network. Furthermore, India is developing interceptors specifically designed to counter high-velocity ballistic threats, directly addressing Pakistan’s claimed missile capabilities.
