Pakistan has taken a significant step forward in advanced missile technology by unveiling a new hypersonic weapon system at the World Defense Show 2026 in Riyadh. The missile, named “SMASH,” has been introduced by Global Industrial & Defence Solutions (GIDS), Pakistan’s state-backed defence exporter, and is being described as a dual-role system capable of striking both naval and land-based targets with high speed and precision.
The unveiling took place at the Saudi capital’s high-profile defence exhibition, which brings together military manufacturers, policymakers, and defence experts from across the world. Pakistan’s participation and the launch of the SMASH missile have drawn considerable attention, particularly due to the weapon’s hypersonic performance and its claimed ability to bypass modern air and missile defence systems.
A Dual-Role Missile Designed for Modern Battlefields
According to information released by the manufacturer and reported by international defence-focused websites, the SMASH missile has been developed with flexibility as a core feature. In its anti-ship configuration, the missile is designed to engage targets at sea with a stated range of up to 290 kilometres. This places it firmly within the category of short- to medium-range ballistic missiles, while its hypersonic terminal speed significantly enhances its survivability against interception.
GIDS has highlighted that the missile can approach its target at a steep, near-vertical angle during the final phase of flight. Such an attack profile is intended to complicate detection and interception by advanced naval air defence systems, which are often optimized for cruise missiles or lower-angle threats.
Technical Features and Guidance Capabilities
In the anti-ship role, the SMASH missile carries a warhead weighing approximately 384 kilograms. For guidance, it combines an HD GNSS-assisted inertial navigation system with an active radar seeker. This hybrid guidance setup is intended to ensure accuracy throughout the missile’s flight while allowing it to independently track and home in on moving maritime targets during the terminal phase.
The missile is powered by a single-stage, dual-thrust solid rocket motor. According to the manufacturer, this propulsion system allows the missile to achieve a terminal speed of up to Mach 2, or twice the speed of sound. GIDS claims that the missile’s circular error probable, a standard measure of accuracy, is 10 metres or less in the anti-ship configuration, placing it among the more precise systems in its class.
Land-Attack Variant Expands Operational Use
In addition to its maritime strike capability, SMASH has also been developed in a land-attack configuration. While the overall range remains the same at 290 kilometres, this version features a heavier warhead weighing around 444 kilograms. The increase in payload is intended to enhance effectiveness against hardened or high-value ground targets.
For land-based missions, the missile relies primarily on HD GNSS-assisted inertial navigation. Unlike the naval version, this configuration does not require an active radar seeker, as the targets are fixed and pre-identified. GIDS states that the same single-stage, dual-thrust solid rocket motor is used in this variant, ensuring logistical commonality between both versions.
The company has indicated that the land-attack version maintains a terminal speed of up to Mach 2, with an accuracy level of 15 metres or less. While slightly less precise than the anti-ship variant, this level of accuracy is considered sufficient for striking military infrastructure, command centres, and other strategic assets.
Strategic Rationale and Cost Efficiency
GIDS officials have emphasized that SMASH was deliberately designed as a dual-role missile to simplify logistics and reduce costs for operators. By using a common missile body and propulsion system for both maritime and land missions, armed forces can streamline training, maintenance, and supply chains.
This approach is particularly attractive for countries seeking to modernize their strike capabilities without investing in multiple specialized missile systems. The ability to deploy the same platform across different operational domains also enhances flexibility during conflict scenarios.
Regional Demand and Global Attention
Defence analysts note that the unveiling of SMASH comes at a time when demand for long-range, precision-guided strike weapons is increasing, particularly in the Middle East and other geopolitically sensitive regions. Ongoing conflicts, maritime security challenges, and the proliferation of advanced air defence systems have pushed militaries to seek faster and more survivable missile solutions.
Experts believe that SMASH is being positioned as an effective option for contested and high-threat environments, where conventional cruise missiles may face a higher risk of interception. Its hypersonic speed and steep attack trajectory are seen as key selling points in this regard.
Looking Ahead for Pakistan’s Defence Exports
The launch of the SMASH missile at an international exhibition reflects Pakistan’s broader ambition to expand its footprint in the global defence market. GIDS has already showcased a range of systems in previous years, and the addition of a hypersonic-capable missile signals a push toward more advanced and competitive offerings.
While it remains to be seen whether SMASH will secure export orders, its debut has clearly elevated Pakistan’s profile in the field of missile technology. As defence industries worldwide continue to evolve, the SMASH missile represents Pakistan’s attempt to align itself with emerging trends in speed, precision, and multi-role capability.
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