4 December 2025
Pakistan Navy test fired a quasi-ballistic missile named P- 282 SMASH (originally Supersonic Missile Anti-Ship) on 25 November 2025. The newer version can reach Mach 8 speed and is categorized as a quasi- ballistic missile. It is totally an indigenous effort to modernize the Pakistani Naval fleet with secured anti-ship capability.
Launch Event
Naval Chief, senior scientists and engineers involved in the program witnessed the launch of the missile from a Type 22P frigate( Zulfiqar Class)
Range and Guidance
The range of the missile is estimated at about 350 kilometers, which makes it possible to attack targets beyond the range of most shipboard air defense systems.
Being an ASBM, the missile includes a terminal-stage seeker – either active-radar homing (ARH) or (as with other Pakistani anti-ship munitions, like the Taimur air-launched cruise missile) – imaging infrared (IIR) for engaging moving targets.
Strategy Shift
After the May 2025 escalation of Pakistan and India, Pakistan is probably moving towards mass produced conventional strike platforms. The problem lies in the over-dependence on the Chinese supply chain to run the indigenous original designs, mostly, due to lack of R&D and an industrial base at home. It is pertinent to note that for long-term survivability in the race, public- private partnership and local manufacturing of critical components will become essential for Pakistan.