Pakistan has successfully executed a live-fire test of a Chinese-made surface-to-air missile from the PNS Taimur, a Type 054A/P guided-missile frigate. The missile, designated LY-80(N), was launched from the frigate’s advanced vertical launch system (VLS) and effectively intercepted a high-speed aerial target, demonstrating the operational readiness of the platform.
The successful test was announced by the Directorate General Public Relations of the Pakistan Navy, highlighting the significance of the exercise in validating the navy’s layered air defense strategy at sea. This operation underscores Pakistan’s increasing capabilities to safeguard high-value naval assets against various airborne threats, including aircraft, drones, and cruise missiles.
In addition to the missile test, the naval exercise also featured loitering munitions targeting designated objectives and the open-sea trials of a locally developed unmanned surface vessel, showcasing a multifaceted approach to modern naval warfare.
The LY-80(N) missile, a naval variant of China’s HQ-16 system, is integral to Pakistan’s medium- to long-range air defense capabilities. It is engineered to engage multiple airborne threats simultaneously at ranges of up to 60 kilometers (approximately 37 miles). On the Type 054A/P frigates, this missile is coupled with a 32-cell VLS, sophisticated phased-array radar, and an advanced combat management system, allowing for 360-degree coverage and quick response times to potential threats.
The PNS Taimur, which participated in the test, is the second of four Type 054A frigates procured from China, with the first vessel delivered to Pakistan in 2022. Additionally, Islamabad anticipates the arrival of its first Hangor-class attack submarine, also a product of Chinese design, this year, indicating a deepening defense partnership between Pakistan and China.
