ISLAMABAD, Jan 10: The Pakistan Navy today successfully test-fired a surface-to-air missile during a naval exercise in the North Arabian Sea, showcasing a mix of conventional and unmanned capabilities as part of what the military described as adapting to modern maritime warfare.
According to Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR), the exercise was witnessed by the Commander Pakistan Fleet and included the live firing of the LY-80(N) surface-to-air missile from a vertical launching system at extended range. The test was aimed at validating the long-range performance of the navy’s air-defence architecture.
“The LY-80(N) SAM successfully engaged and neutralised an aerial target, demonstrating Pakistan Navy’s robust air defence capabilities,” ISPR said in a statement.
The exercise also featured the use of loitering munitions against surface targets, highlighting precision-strike options increasingly central to contemporary naval operations. “The loitering munition successfully engaged and destroyed surface targets, showcasing its effectiveness in modern naval warfare,” the military’s media wing said.
In parallel, the navy conducted open-sea trials of an unmanned surface vessel (USV). ISPR said the trials confirmed the platform’s high-speed performance, extreme manoeuvrability, precision navigation and resilience in challenging sea and weather conditions. The USV, it added, offers a “low-risk, high-impact” capability, combining the stealth of a tactical interceptor with mission-critical durability.
The statement also referred to a newly developed projectile capable of engaging both sea and land targets with high accuracy. The system reportedly incorporates advanced guidance technology and enhanced manoeuvrability, enabling it to operate effectively in complex maritime environments.
Lauding the officers and sailors for their professionalism and operational competence, Pakistan Navy Chief of Staff Admiral Naveed Ashraf, reaffirmed Pakistan Navy’s commitment to ensuring the seaward defence of Pakistan and safeguarding national maritime interests under all circumstances.
The latest naval exercise comes amid a broader push by Pakistan to strengthen its conventional military capabilities.
Pakistan has greatly intensified its work in boosting its conventional military capabilities in the past few months, following an embarrassing defeat in its May 7-10 skirmish with India, with the country notably shifting its military focus toward conventional missile development and structural reorganisation.
After the post-conflict scenario exposed major gaps, and structural deficiencies in its overall strategic deterrence capabilities, Pakistan has embarked on a targeted plan of reorganising its abilities for coordination between service branches, and develop more accurate, precision based munitions, displaying a major shift geared towards a tactical warfare doctrine, with limited confrontational preparedness.
The recent missile test by Pakistan Navy comes just a little while after the Pakistan Air Force had conducted missile tests on January 3, with PAF authorities had conducted a successful flight test of the indigenously developed Taimoor Weapon System, which can accurately strike enemy land and sea targets at a distance of 600 km.
(UNI)
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