The Pakistan Navy recently staged a live‑weapon firing in the North Arabian Sea, launching an FM‑90(N) ER surface‑to‑air missile from a fleet unit that successfully engaged highly manoeuvrable aerial targets, according to official briefings. The demonstration, described by ISPR as a firepower exercise, was presented as a validation of both the missile’s capability and the crew’s proficiency at sea.

Among those witnessing the exercise was Commander Pakistan Fleet unit Rear Admiral Abdul Munib. He commended the officers and sailors involved for their professionalism and dedication, naval statements said. The public acknowledgement from fleet command underlined the navy’s intent to show readiness without escalating rhetoric, framing the firing as a routine but necessary rehearsal to protect maritime approaches and sea lines of communication

The FM‑90(N) ER is the naval variant of China’s HQ‑7 family and functions as a short‑range point‑defense system designed to protect surface ships from air‑launched threats. Pakistani officials and reporting note the missile’s engagement envelope of roughly 15 kilometers and an altitude reach of about 6 kilometers, capabilities tailored to counter low‑flying anti‑ship cruise missiles, unmanned aerial vehicles and aircraft operating in cluttered littoral environments. During the drill the system reportedly demonstrated rapid reaction and accuracy against targets engineered to be difficult to track, reinforcing its role in a layered shipboard air‑defense architecture.

It is integrated aboard several frontline vessels, including Zulfiqar‑class frigates, where it provides close‑in protection against saturation attacks and electronic countermeasures that adversaries might employ to blind sensors. That short‑range layer is intended to buy time for longer‑range systems and for task groups to maneuver out of harm’s way, rather than to substitute for area air‑defense assets

Beyond the tactical success, the exercise carried a clear strategic message: the Pakistan Navy is investing in credible sea‑based air defense to safeguard a vital trade corridor in the Arabian Sea and to deter threats to maritime commerce and national interests. Officials said such drills will continue as part of ongoing training and modernization efforts aimed at adapting to evolving aerial threats.

The demonstration highlights a practical reality: short‑range systems like the FM‑90 strengthen ship survivability but must be part of a layered, networked defense to be fully effective. Continued investment in sensors, longer‑range interceptors and electronic‑warfare resilience will determine how well such point‑defense systems translate into sustained maritime security.