ISLAMABAD – The Pakistan Navy on Monday successfully test-fired several surface-to-air missiles to assess its air defence capabilities. Three surface-to-air missile tests were carried out in Sonmiani area of Sindh province, a navy spokesman said. He added that all missiles hit their targets precisely.
Naval chief Admiral Noman Bashir and Air Defence Commander Vice Admiral Tayyab Ali Dogar witnessed the drill, the spokesman said, in a statement issued here. “The successful testing will add to the defence capability of the Pakistan Navy,” Bashir said, according to spokesman.
A combination of surface-to-air missiles was tested. The “fire and forget” missiles are equipped with highly sensitive infrared homing heads that can intercept high speed aircraft and unmanned aerial vehicles. “These weapons give the navy the flexibility to operate with various missiles and strengthen the ground-based air defence,” said the spokesman.
The area of responsibility of the navy’s Air Defence Battalion stretches from Sir Creek in the east to Jiwani in the west. The induction of modern weapons and equipment will augment the navy’s ground-based air defence capabilities against hi-tech aircraft and missiles.
