Pakistan’s recent announcement of a successful “ship-launched anti-ship ballistic missile (ASBM)” test has been met with considerable fanfare in its defense circles. The ISPR confirmed an “indigenously developed” missile achieved “high precision” against sea and land targets, witnessed by high-ranking naval officials. However, official technical disclosures were notably sparse.
Soon after, a potent online campaign emerged, primarily from pro-Pakistan sources, labeling the missile a hypersonic “carrier-killer” with a staggering 700–850 km reach, posing a direct threat to India’s INS Vikrant. This narrative was amplified by doctored videos, pushing claims far beyond the scope of the official ISPR statement.
This current portrayal starkly contrasts with previous information. In November 2024, Pakistan displayed the P282 SMASH, a ship-launched ballistic missile with an estimated range of approximately 350 kilometers. This system was characterized as a coastal defense asset, not the long-range, high-speed weapon being promoted now.
The latest test has yielded no official specifications regarding range, speed, or launch platform. The ISPR released a video showing a launch and impact, but it lacked critical telemetry. Assertions from certain Malaysian defense portals about hypersonic capabilities and extended ranges remain uncorroborated by independent defense analysts or official Pakistani sources.
The central issue is the lack of verifiable evidence for the advertised capabilities. No official data supports claims of hypersonic speeds or ranges exceeding 700 km. The only documented SMASH variant remains the shorter-range system tested previously.
Furthermore, the operational viability of an ASBM depends heavily on a sophisticated sensor-to-shooter chain, requiring advanced maritime surveillance capabilities for real-time tracking of moving targets at long distances. Pakistan’s maritime awareness relies mainly on coastal radars and limited aerial assets, and there is no public evidence of the sustained tracking infrastructure needed to effectively engage a carrier group far offshore. This contrasts with China’s extensive investment in similar surveillance networks.
From a strategic perspective, this high-profile announcement may serve Pakistan’s signaling objectives, particularly given reported limitations within its naval fleet. India’s INS Vikrant, however, operates within a formidable carrier battle group equipped with advanced air defense systems, robust escort vessels, and submarine support. India is also actively developing long-range naval interceptors capable of countering high-velocity ballistic threats, directly countering the purported capabilities of Pakistan’s newly announced missile.