Pakistan’s Turkish-designed Jinnah-class frigate to receive Chinese SMASH missiles
China, Pakistan, Turkey team up again! Pakistan is set to launch its first indigenously built Jinnah-class frigate, marking a step forward in its efforts to modernize its naval fleet. Chief of Naval Staff Admiral Naveed Ashraf confirmed the upcoming launch, a move aimed at enhancing the Pakistan Navy’s combat capabilities.
The military statement stressed that the ship is designed for multi-role operations and will be equipped with advanced sensors, complex weapon systems and the indigenously developed SMASH supersonic missile system. This is perhaps why Pakistan claims that the frigate and missiles are “indigenously designed and manufactured,” despite Pakistan being a major NATO ally and Turkey being a NATO member.
The frigate is expected to bolster Pakistan’s naval defenses and play a key role in regional security dynamics, or at least that’s what Pakistan claims. The ship is reportedly capable of conducting anti-surface warfare, anti-submarine warfare, and anti-aircraft operations, and will help Pakistan expand its naval power. The development of the ship was carried out within the framework of Pakistan’s cooperation with Turkey to build MILGEM-class frigates, providing valuable experience for its engineers and shipbuilders.
Just as the Jannah-class frigates are from Turkey, the SMASH frigates are from China. One of India’s major concerns about Pakistan’s Jinnah-class frigates is that they will carry the SMASH missile system, a supersonic weapon designed for anti-ship and land attack missions.
With a range of more than 350 kilometers and a speed of more than Mach 2.5, the SMASH missile enhances Pakistan’s ability to target naval assets with high precision. The ship has a maneuverable re-entry vehicle (MaRV) capability, making it a powerful weapon against heavily defended facilities, adding a new dimension to the Pakistan Navy’s strike capabilities.
The Pakistan Navy recently conducted a test launch of the SMASH missile in November last year. The missile is believed to be a modified version of the Chinese CM-401 anti-ship ballistic missile.
The frigate will also be equipped with an advanced vertical launch system capable of deploying air defense and surface-to-surface missiles, greatly enhancing Pakistan’s naval firepower.
Additionally, modern naval artillery systems will enhance its capabilities against ground and air threats, while the short-range weapon system (CIWS) will provide protection against incoming missiles and drones. Advanced sonar and torpedo systems will enhance the warship’s anti-submarine capabilities, making it a more versatile weapon in the Pakistani naval fleet.
In light of these developments, India remains on alert while Pakistan continues to modernize its naval fleet, which could upset the regional maritime security balance.
