Pakistan’s First Locally Built Jinnah-Class Frigate to Feature SMASH Supersonic Missiles.

According to information published by Naval Technology on January 27, 2025, Pakistan is set to launch its first indigenously designed and built Jinnah-class frigate, a step in the country’s naval modernization and self-reliance efforts. Chief of Naval Staff Admiral Naveed Ashraf confirmed that the warship will soon be launched, reinforcing the Pakistan Navy’s fleet with advanced capabilities. Designed for multi-role operations, the Jinnah-class will be equipped with sensors, next-generation weapon systems, and the domestically developed SMASH supersonic missile system.

Pakistan Navy set to launch its first indigenously built Jinnah-class frigate, equipped with next-generation sensors and the powerful SMASH supersonic missile system.

The Jinnah-class frigate is expected to play a crucial role in strengthening Pakistan’s maritime defense. It is designed to perform a variety of combat roles, including anti-surface warfare, anti-submarine warfare, and air defense. The ship’s development builds upon the experience gained from Pakistan’s collaboration with Turkey on the MILGEM-class corvettes. This project has allowed Pakistani engineers and shipbuilders to enhance their expertise in warship design and construction, paving the way for greater self-sufficiency in naval defense production.

With a modern stealth-focused hull design, the frigate will have reduced radar cross-section, improving its survivability in high-threat environments. The ship is expected to feature a powerful propulsion system that will enable high-speed operations and long-range endurance, allowing it to patrol and secure Pakistan’s exclusive economic zone (EEZ) and maritime trade routes in the Indian Ocean. The integration of advanced radar and electronic warfare suites will enhance situational awareness and provide improved tracking and targeting of potential threats.

A key highlight of the Jinnah-class is its integration of the SMASH missile system, an indigenous supersonic weapon designed for both anti-ship and land-attack missions. With a range exceeding 350 kilometers and the ability to travel at speeds over Mach 2.5, the SMASH missile offers Pakistan a powerful deterrent against enemy naval assets. The missile’s maneuverable reentry vehicle (MaRV) capability ensures high precision, making it an effective weapon for striking heavily defended targets.

A key highlight of the Jinnah-class is its integration of the SMASH missile system, an indigenous supersonic weapon designed for both anti-ship and land-attack missions. With a range exceeding 350 kilometers and the ability to travel at speeds over Mach 2.5, the SMASH missile offers Pakistan a powerful deterrent against enemy naval assets. The missile’s maneuverable reentry vehicle (MaRV) capability ensures high precision, making it an effective weapon for striking heavily defended targets.

The ship will also feature a sophisticated vertical launch system (VLS), enabling it to deploy a range of air defense and surface-to-surface missiles. A modern naval gun system will provide additional firepower against surface and aerial threats, while a close-in weapon system (CIWS) will defend against incoming missiles and drones. Advanced sonar and torpedo systems will enhance the ship’s ability to counter enemy submarines, providing a well-rounded defense package.

Pakistan’s push for indigenous warship production reflects its strategy to reduce dependence on foreign suppliers and develop a self-sustaining defense industry. With increasing naval activity in the Indian Ocean, the induction of advanced warships is critical to maintaining strategic balance and protecting Pakistan’s maritime interests.

Reference Link:- https://armyrecognition.com/news/navy-news/2025/pakistans-first-locally-built-jinnah-class-frigate-to-feature-smash-supersonic-missiles

Prof. Engr. Zamir Ahmed Awan Founder & Chair, Global Silk Route Research Alliance

Zamir Ahmed Awan is the founder and Chair of the Global Silk Route Research Alliance, a think tank in Islamabad. He studied engineering at Shanghai University in the 1980s, and years later he went back to China as Pakistan's science counsellor in Beijing, from 2010 until 2016, working on science and higher education cooperation between the two countries.…

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