SMASH SLBM Testing - Nov 2025

[Toxic]

How about this one?
View attachment 161921

Looks like the Swedish Visby class it's still a proof of concept Afaik

 

[Michael]

Looks like the Swedish Visby class it's still a proof of concept Afaik

Hey guys, this is China's new frigate. It has been undergoing testing for quite some time. The official designation for this frigate has not yet been released by the authorities.

 

[FuturePAF]

How about this one?
View attachment 161921

That’s the one.

China will take the lead and Pakistan will request a tailor made variant for what results from China’s R&D and shipyards, for the PLAN in due time.

The PLAN maybe replacing its 83 Type 022 FACs and go for a more distributed lethality through CEC; Cooperative Engagement Cooperation with destroyers, probably dozens of these kinds of corvettes (warships but also motherships for unmanned systems). The SMASH maybe one missile option allowing Pakistan to follow a similar pathway, to allow Pakistan to deal with a 200 ship Indian navy. Pakistan needs to replace many of its older FACs (pre-Asmat class FACs as well as these F-22P frigates in due time), and field multi role platforms for ASW, AShW, and AAW. 12-18 of these corvettes alongside 6 follow on destroyers to the Type 052DL would give the PN robust capabilities without putting all the eggs in a few high end baskets.

The Smash has a small form factor and has a 300 km range. A lower signature launch platform could see it operate in a way (not gonna say how, but ) to maximize the surprise factor in breaking any loose blockade on the coast or preventing a strike on Karachi.

 

[Michael]

That’s the one.

China will take the lead and Pakistan will request a tailor made variant for what results from China’s R&D and shipyards, for the PLAN in due time.

The PLAN maybe replacing its Type 022 FACs and go for a more distributed lethality through probably dozens of these kinds of corvettes (warships but also motherships for unmanned systems). The SMASH maybe one missile option allowing Pakistan to follow a similar pathway, to allow Pakistan to deal with a 200 ship Indian navy.

The Smash has a small form factor and has a 300 km range. A lower signature launch platform could see it operate in a way (not gonna say how, but ) to maximize the surprise factor in breaking any loose blockade on the coast or preventing a strike on Karachi.

Some military enthusiasts refer to it as the "Type 057 frigate." This is an unofficial designation.
Its size is between the Type 056 and Type 054 frigates. Therefore, some believe it may be a replacement for the PLA Navy's Type 056A light frigate.

In my opinion:

It may replace some of the PLA Navy's Type 056A light frigates, but its main purpose is likely for export.
Light frigates are primarily used for coastal defense. China has already handed over much of this task to the China Coast Guard and coastal defense forces. The PLA Navy is gradually moving towards blue-water operations. They don't have a high demand for this type of light frigate.
However, this class of warship is very popular in the international arms trade market.

BTW. Reports suggest that China is currently undertaking significant upgrades to its Type 22 missile boats. One possible direction for these upgrades is to transform them into platforms for unmanned attack systems.

 

[Zarvan]

N



Also worth mentioning
You can only arm 4 zulfiqar, 4 type 54 ap and maybe 6 Jinnah
With 4 MX smash
Even if they in open ocean launch most missiles and damage some Indian navy ships
They will face many more brahmos before launching
Plus even if they launch attack and defend against brahmos
You magazine is empty for defense and offense
You need to get back and reload taking few days for that
And ij a war where navy is engaged no time for that also they can be targeted by su 30 mki brahmos while at any PN base
Maybe not on gawadar


On the other hand
1000 km shore based missiles will keep Indian navy out of attacking Karachi

Remaining in open ocean
And even used we can just rearm launchers
And send Arial assets again for second strike within same day

Exactly they would face barrage of Brahmos. India is already testing 800 KM version of Brahmos and soon that would be inducted plus 1500 KM Nirbhay is also ready. Their space program is good and eventually they would be able to use theri satellites to guide their very long range missiles to chase and hit a fast moving ship as well. Plus land targets. What is our plan of action I seriously can't understand. No one will let you this close that you can fire a 350 KM to 450 KM range missile.

 

[FuturePAF]

Some military enthusiasts refer to it as the "Type 057 frigate." This is an unofficial designation.
Its size is between the Type 056 and Type 054 frigates. Therefore, some believe it may be a replacement for the PLA Navy's Type 056A light frigate.

In my opinion:

It may replace some of the PLA Navy's Type 056A light frigates, but its main purpose is likely for export.
Light frigates are primarily used for coastal defense. China has already handed over much of this task to the China Coast Guard and coastal defense forces. The PLA Navy is gradually moving towards blue-water operations. They don't have a high demand for this type of light frigate.
However, this class of warship is very popular in the international arms trade market.

BTW. Reports suggest that China is currently undertaking significant upgrades to its Type 22 missile boats. One possible direction for these upgrades is to transform them into platforms for unmanned attack systems.

At approx. 2000 tons, it could make an ideal Blue water launch platform for a missile like the SMASH, while having enough space for perhaps 16 medium range VLS, as well as have a towed ASW suite and possibly an unmanned helicopter that could retract into the deck. If costs can be kept under $200-250 million a copy it could indeed sell well on the arm market. The Smash being a 300 km range missile could also gain export success on this platform.

Waiting for an indications of a longer range version of the SMASH, so we know the beam the launch platform will need. By comparison, we can draw parallels to the American Prsm missile; 430 mm diameter and 4 meter length for the current 500 km range, with a goal of a 1000 km range.

 

[ARMalik]

Pardon my ignorance but didn't Pakistan order KJ-500 from China? If true, the KJ-500 scan/detection range is around 470 to 500km. During May war, Pakistan used its AWACS to guide missiles. So what is stopping KJ-500 from guiding this SMASH missile? And also doesn't it mean the range of this missile is also around 450km to 500km??

 

[Ibbi32]

Pardon my ignorance but didn't Pakistan order KJ-500 from China? If true, the KJ-500 scan/detection range is around 470 to 500km. During May war, Pakistan used its AWACS to guide missiles. So what is stopping KJ-500 from guiding this SMASH missile? And also doesn't it mean the range of this missile is also around 450km to 500km??

Official statement by PMO said kj-500 was offered for export to Pakistan and notably that statement was redacted so likely that it ammounted to nothing

 

[Bilal]

Pardon my ignorance but didn't Pakistan order KJ-500 from China? If true, the KJ-500 scan/detection range is around 470 to 500km. During May war, Pakistan used its AWACS to guide missiles. So what is stopping KJ-500 from guiding this SMASH missile? And also doesn't it mean the range of this missile is also around 450km to 500km??

For surface targets the capability exists on Sea Eagle and future Sea Sultan platforms with their seaspray radars.

 

[hnn]

I think SMASH being more or less similar to F2 suggests that its role is going to be similar as well i.e. Tactical Strikes and A2/AD for attempted Close Naval Blockade. I don't think IN is currently equipped to employ a Distant Naval Blockade considering their plans to equip their Navy with 300+ BrahMos by 2030 and the Rafale-M not available yet.

The 300-400 km range on SMASH might also be under declared but even with the publicly declared range it's enough for A2/AD for IN at present, and the ship launched SMASH provides an additional Tactical Vector from deeper ports such as Ormara.

My assumption here is that Pakistan is currently focused on fighting defensive battles close to it's border where all 3 services can engage. On the other hand, I am also certain than Pakistan is developing long range ASBMs in line with IN's ambition (if we can identify the need for longer range deterrence, then the armed forces have already begun to develop those).

For the next couple of years, IMO SMASH is enough deterrence.

 

[Qadeer chaudary]

At approx. 2000 tons, it could make an ideal Blue water launch platform for a missile like the SMASH, while having enough space for perhaps 16 medium range VLS, as well as have a towed ASW suite and possibly an unmanned helicopter that could retract into the deck. If costs can be kept under $200-250 million a copy it could indeed sell well on the arm market. The Smash being a 300 km range missile could also gain export success on this platform.

Waiting for an indications of a longer range version of the SMASH, so we know the beam the launch platform will need. By comparison, we can draw parallels to the American Prsm missile; 430 mm diameter and 4 meter length for the current 500 km range, with a goal of a 1000 km range.

Firstly both of you are wrong
2000 to is never a blue water combat ships
It can't take any such heavy missiles
Also it is just experimental Corvette design with new proposed propulsion testing, stealth testing and their are many other such experimental ships like 15k to drone carrier
Secondly, smash is anti ship missiles but in class of Turkish normal Typhoon block 1 ballistic missile that has smaller dimensions still 800 km range and very large warhead at higher speed
Pakistan navy needs to learn from turkey Iran china, newer propellent, lighter but still cost efficient structure material with optimized warhead and push it's range to 800 km for ship based version
Secondly, use wider booster meter longer for land based version, on truck based two missiles launcher can achieve 1000 km range with 450kg plus warhead easily
These two should be developed and fielded in next two years and mass produced
Will keep Indian navy far away

As for people quoting nirbhay again and again
Nirbhay is land attack cruise missile
It's not anti ship
And it will be mostly used Indian land based forces
Short range medium range systems and land based ciws version of type 1130 smaller radars in number are needed for it

And lastly about PRSM, Pakistan should learn from Iran, Iran has used ballistic missiles with reduced warhead and far higher range
PRSM is same, it has 90 kg warhead only against 180 to 280 kg of ATCAMS but it has reached 566 km in testing possibly able to reach 600 km already and MAKO missiles is it's air launched version for all jets of USAF with 500 to 800 km range

The Fatah two has 480 kg warhead
It should be developed into one new variation and one new missiles
Variation being smaller 200 kg warhead version in same two stage configuration that increase range from 450km to 800-1000 km
Also use it and make new missiles, 430 mm dimater, 4.4 m length, 800 kg weight (prsm is 600kg)
Warhead of 150 kg, 500-600 km range land based 800 km range air based version, compatible with 4 per truck on fattah launcher, 2 per jet on jf17, j10c and even in internal bay of j35 as it's dimensions are within f35 internal missiles
Single stage near hypersonic speed
Land, air and navy submarine version (dimensions fit just add 2.5 m second stage booster of same dimater as yj18 in yuan class is also 7 meter long)
And this missile will be new ij dimensions but not something new, usa army has prsm, local American firms making mako, Castillio low cost prsm version, turkey made 300 er air launched missile, Israel's makes air Lora, and newer 500 km range missiles

 

[Princeps]

4x means 10000kg

Haibat/Azmat class carry 8x C802 which is about 5600Kgs....
Yeah maybe carry 2x or strengthen the platform

PNS Haibat and PNS Himmat carry 6x Harbah which would be around 1350 * 6 = 8 tons

Not that far off 10 tons

 

[Ak01]

Mag depth depends on the enemys mag depth as well and IN vessels don’t particularly have very deep mag depth. Also notably fwik barak 8 has rather limited ABM capabilities and only the er version has proper ability and that is quite literally the best they have for now. I think it is genuinely better to convert half our fleet to AShBM platforms provided the rest has enough CMs and SSCMs. Really i just see building more FACs as the best way to solve the latter problem

8-16 BrahMos is alot more than what we can bring to the fight.

Also, i mean barak has demonstrated combat interceptions of smash type missiles before, so its not anything unreasonable

 

[Michael]

Firstly both of you are wrong
2000 to is never a blue water combat ships
It can't take any such heavy missiles

1. This new warship has only been revealed in photographs so far; there is no other reliable data or official information available. All information currently circulating on the internet comes from analyses and speculations by military enthusiasts.
2. From the photos currently available, it does appear to have a VLS (Vertical Launching System). However, the specific model of the VLS cannot be accurately identified from the photos. Some military enthusiasts believe it is the HT-1 VLS, not the AKJ16 VLS.
3. Previously, China unveiled the JARI-USV-A, which is equipped with the HT-1 VLS and explicitly stated that it can carry and launch numerous types of missiles, including the YJ-18 anti-ship missile. This USV belongs to the 500-ton class of vessels.

Based on the above analysis, if the PN is interested in this new light frigate, then, theoretically, there are no technical obstacles to it launching SMASH missiles. Of course, some technical adaptation work would still be required. However, if PN does choose it, then opting for the missiles offered by China would be a better choice.

 

[Corax]

Firstly both of you are wrong
2000 to is never a blue water combat ships
It can't take any such heavy missiles
Also it is just experimental Corvette design with new proposed propulsion testing, stealth testing and their are many other such experimental ships like 15k to drone carrier
Secondly, smash is anti ship missiles but in class of Turkish normal Typhoon block 1 ballistic missile that has smaller dimensions still 800 km range and very large warhead at higher speed
Pakistan navy needs to learn from turkey Iran china, newer propellent, lighter but still cost efficient structure material with optimized warhead and push it's range to 800 km for ship based version
Secondly, use wider booster meter longer for land based version, on truck based two missiles launcher can achieve 1000 km range with 450kg plus warhead easily
These two should be developed and fielded in next two years and mass produced
Will keep Indian navy far away

As for people quoting nirbhay again and again
Nirbhay is land attack cruise missile
It's not anti ship
And it will be mostly used Indian land based forces
Short range medium range systems and land based ciws version of type 1130 smaller radars in number are needed for it

And lastly about PRSM, Pakistan should learn from Iran, Iran has used ballistic missiles with reduced warhead and far higher range
PRSM is same, it has 90 kg warhead only against 180 to 280 kg of ATCAMS but it has reached 566 km in testing possibly able to reach 600 km already and MAKO missiles is it's air launched version for all jets of USAF with 500 to 800 km range

The Fatah two has 480 kg warhead
It should be developed into one new variation and one new missiles
Variation being smaller 200 kg warhead version in same two stage configuration that increase range from 450km to 800-1000 km
Also use it and make new missiles, 430 mm dimater, 4.4 m length, 800 kg weight (prsm is 600kg)
Warhead of 150 kg, 500-600 km range land based 800 km range air based version, compatible with 4 per truck on fattah launcher, 2 per jet on jf17, j10c and even in internal bay of j35 as it's dimensions are within f35 internal missiles
Single stage near hypersonic speed
Land, air and navy submarine version (dimensions fit just add 2.5 m second stage booster of same dimater as yj18 in yuan class is also 7 meter long)
And this missile will be new ij dimensions but not something new, usa army has prsm, local American firms making mako, Castillio low cost prsm version, turkey made 300 er air launched missile, Israel's makes air Lora, and newer 500 km range missiles

Our missiles do seem short legged when compared with other missiles of equivalent type and size, most probably due to materials and inefficient propulsion.