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Pakistan’s Jinnah-Class Frigate to Be Armed with Deadly SMASH Anti-Ship Ballistic Supersonic Missiles

A standout feature of the Jinnah-class frigate program is the integration of the SMASH supersonic missile system—a cutting-edge, domestically developed weapon designed to strike both naval and land-based targets with devastating precision.

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(DEFENCE SECURITY ASIA) —The Pakistan Navy is on the brink of a major milestone as it prepares to launch its first-ever indigenously designed and built frigate, a bold leap forward in the nation’s quest to modernize its naval forces and achieve self-reliance in defense manufacturing.
Pakistan’s Chief of Naval Staff, Admiral Naveed Ashraf, has confirmed that the launch of the 3,500-4,000 tonnes warship is imminent, promising to bolster the Pakistan Navy’s arsenal with a formidable, multi-role warship crafted for modern maritime warfare.
Pakistan Navy is planning to build eight Jinnah-class frigates.
The state of the art Jinnah-class frigate will be armed with cutting-edge sensors, advanced weapon systems, and the homegrown SMASH supersonic missile system, cementing Pakistan’s growing prowess in naval defense technology.
This vessel is expected to play a pivotal role in enhancing Pakistan’s maritime defense capabilities, particularly in the strategically vital waters of South Asia.
The Jinnah-class frigate is engineered to perform a wide range of combat missions, including anti-surface warfare, anti-submarine warfare, and air defense operations.
Jinnah
Jinnah-class frigates
Its development builds on the experience gained through Pakistan’s collaboration with Türkiye under the MILGEM program, which has significantly enhanced the technical expertise of Pakistani engineers in warship design and construction.
This knowledge transfer has enabled Pakistan to take critical steps towards achieving defense self-sufficiency in naval shipbuilding.
A standout feature of the Jinnah-class frigate program is the integration of the SMASH supersonic missile system—a cutting-edge, domestically developed weapon designed to strike both naval and land-based targets with devastating precision.
Capable of reaching speeds beyond Mach 2.5 and striking targets up to 350 kilometers away, the SMASH missile delivers a formidable punch, significantly enhancing Pakistan’s deterrence capabilities against hostile maritime threats.
A defining feature of the SMASH missile is its Maneuverable Reentry Vehicle (MaRV) capability, engineered for pinpoint precision even against fortified, heavily defended targets, turning it into a game-changer on the battlefield.
Complementing the SMASH system, the Jinnah-class frigate will also be armed with a cutting-edge Vertical Launch System (VLS), capable of deploying a versatile array of surface-to-air and anti-ship missiles, dramatically enhancing its offensive firepower and defensive resilience in high-stakes naval engagements.
SMASH
SMASH anti ship ballistic missile
The Jinnah-class frigate will also feature modern naval artillery systems designed to counter threats from enemy missiles and drones.
Furthermore, it will be equipped with advanced sonar systems and torpedo launchers, providing robust anti-submarine warfare capabilities and ensuring multi-dimensional threat engagement.
In November last year, Pakistan conducted a successful test launch of its latest anti-ship ballistic missile (ASBM), named SMASH.
Although detailed information about the missile test remains limited, official statements confirm that the missile is equipped with advanced navigation systems and high maneuverability features.
The missile was launched from a Zulfiquar-class (F-22P) frigate, demonstrating its integration with Pakistan’s existing naval platforms.
Armed with a devastating strike range of 350 kilometers, the SMASH Anti-Ship Ballistic Missile (ASBM), also known as P282, delivers a formidable boost to the Pakistan Navy’s strike power and defensive dominance, especially in anti-access/area denial (A2/AD) operations.
Pakistan
“SMASH” hitting the target during trial
Equipped with cutting-edge navigation technology, the missile can alter its trajectory and speed mid-flight, making it an elusive target, nearly impossible to intercept by conventional enemy air defense systems.
Its deployment marks a strategic game-changer, reinforcing Pakistan’s maritime superiority in the Indian Ocean region and serving as a powerful deterrent against regional adversaries.
Sharing similar specifications with China’s CM-401 anti-ship ballistic missile, the SMASH ASBM is capable of delivering precision strikes against both large warships and medium-sized naval vessels, solidifying its role as a lethal force multiplier in Pakistan’s naval arsenal.
The close defense cooperation between Pakistan and China in developing advanced military technologies underscores the strategic partnership between the two countries.
China’s arms exports to Pakistan are a critical component of Beijing’s foreign policy, enabling Islamabad to enhance its military capabilities with cutting-edge technologies.
This partnership allows Pakistan to acquire advanced, high-speed, precision-guided weapon systems that would be challenging to obtain independently without aligning with a major power like China.
Jinnah
 Jinnah-class frigate of the Pakistan Navy

Jinnah-Class Frigate (Pakistan) – Technical Specifications Overview

The Jinnah-class frigate represents a new generation of warships currently under development for the Pakistan Navy, as part of the country’s efforts to enhance its surface fleet capabilities.
Designed with advanced stealth features and state-of-the-art combat technologies, the frigate is poised to play a pivotal role in Pakistan’s maritime defense strategy.
General Specifications (Estimated):
  • Length: Approximately 140–150 meters
  • Displacement: Over 4,000 tons (estimated)
  • Maximum Speed: In excess of 28 knots
  • Operational Range: 6,000 nautical miles at economical cruising speed
  • Crew Complement: Approximately 150–200 personnel
Armament:
  • Missile Systems: Equipped with anti-ship missiles and medium-range surface-to-air missiles for air defense
  • Main Gun: 76mm or 127mm naval gun
  • CIWS: Close-In Weapon System for point defense against incoming threats
  • Torpedo Launchers: For anti-submarine warfare operations
Sensors and Electronic Systems:
  • Multi-function AESA radar
  • Hull-mounted sonar and towed array sonar for underwater detection
  • Advanced electronic warfare (EW) systems
Additional Features:
  • Capable of operating maritime helicopters and unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs)
  • Modular design to support a wide range of mission profiles
  • Stealth architecture to minimize radar and infrared signatures
The Jinnah-class frigate is being developed with significant contributions from Pakistan’s domestic defense industry, particularly Karachi Shipyard & Engineering Works (KSEW), alongside technological support from international partners.
Once commissioned, the frigate is expected to become a cornerstone of the Pakistan Navy’s surface fleet in the coming decade.
— DEFENCE SECURITY ASIA

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