Pakistan Navy Successfully Tests Fire Surface-to-Air Missile in Arabian Sea
ISLAMABAD: The Pakistan Navy has successfully conducted a live weapon firing of the FM-90 (N) ER surface-to-air missile in the North Arabian Sea, reaffirming its operational preparedness and modern combat capabilities, according to a statement issued by the Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR) on Monday.
During the exercise, a Pakistan Navy warship effectively engaged and neutralised highly agile and fast-moving aerial targets, validating the missile system’s accuracy, responsiveness and reliability under operational conditions. The successful firing demonstrated the Navy’s ability to counter evolving aerial threats in the maritime domain.
ISPR said the live weapon firing was aimed at assessing combat readiness and enhancing the Navy’s capability to defend Pakistan’s maritime borders. The exercise once again highlighted the Pakistan Navy’s growing strength in air defence warfare and its ability to operate advanced weapon systems in a challenging environment.
Commander Pakistan Fleet, Rear Admiral Abdul Munib, observed the firepower demonstration and expressed satisfaction over the professional competence displayed by officers and sailors. He commended the participating units for maintaining a high standard of operational excellence and discipline during the exercise.
Rear Admiral Abdul Munib reiterated the Pakistan Navy’s unwavering resolve to ensure robust national maritime defence and stressed the importance of continuous training and operational preparedness in the face of regional and global security challenges.
ISPR further stated that the Pakistan Navy remains fully prepared at all times to safeguard Pakistan’s maritime frontiers and protect national interests at sea, adding that such exercises are a regular feature of the Navy’s operational calendar.
The latest missile firing follows another significant milestone achieved last month, when the Pakistan Navy conducted a successful test flight of an indigenously developed ship-launched anti-ship ballistic missile on November 25. According to ISPR, the weapon system is capable of engaging both sea and ground targets with high precision and is equipped with advanced guidance and manoeuvrability features.
That test was witnessed by Chief of the Naval Staff Admiral Naveed Ashraf, along with senior scientists and engineers, and was described as a testament to Pakistan’s technological progress and indigenous defence development.
Defence analysts say the successive tests underscore Pakistan Navy’s focus on modernisation and self-reliance, as well as its commitment to maintaining credible deterrence and ensuring security in the strategically vital Arabian Sea region.
