The Pakistan Navy announced that it conducted live firings of LY-80 (N) surface-to-air missiles and loitering munitions, alongside the sea trials of an indigenously developed unmanned surface vehicle during a naval exercise held in the North Arabian Sea.
Pakistan Navy press release
On Jan 10, 2026, Pakistan Navy demonstrated its operational readiness and combat preparedness through a comprehensive exercise in the North Arabian Sea, showcasing both conventional and unmanned capabilities, as per dictates of evolving naval warfare. The exercise included the successful live firing of LY-80(N) Surface to Air Missile (SAM) from Vertical Launching System at extended range, validating the long-range capabilities of Pakistan Navy’s modern air defence systems. LY-80(N) SAM successfully engaged and neutralized an aerial target, demonstrating Pakistan Navy’s robust air defence capabilities.
The exercise also featured the successful engagement of surface targets using Loitering Munition (LM), demonstrating Pakistan Navy’s precision strike capabilities. Loitering Munition (LM) successfully engaged and destroyed surface targets, showcasing its effectiveness in modern naval warfare. Successful open-sea trials of Unmanned Surface Vessel (USV) were also conducted, marking a significant leap in autonomous naval technology. The trials validated the platform’s ability to combine high-speed performance with mission-critical durability. Key capabilities demonstrated include extreme maneuverability, precision navigation and weather resilience. USV offers a low-risk, high-impact solution with the stealth of a tactical interceptor.
Commander Pakistan Fleet, Vice Admiral Abdul Munib, witnessed the exercise, which showcased Pakistan Navy’s ability to employ advanced systems.
Chief of the Naval Staff, Admiral Naveed Ashraf, commended officers and men of Pakistan Navy for their professionalism and operational competence. He reaffirmed Pakistan Navy’s resolve to ensure seaward defence of Pakistan and safeguard national maritime interests under all circumstances.
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Naval News comments
The loitering munition tested during the exercise was the long-range (LR) variant of the Mudmair system, featuring a canard configuration. The system was developed by the Pakistani startup Sysverve Aerospace and has been introduced into service under the Mudmair family. The aerial targets utilised at LY-80 (N) surface-to-air missile firings were developed by the same company.
The unmanned surface vehicle (USV) that underwent sea trials during the exercise was developed by the Pakistan Navy Naval Research & Development Institute (NRDI). Based on the exercise footage released, the platform appears to be an 8–10 meter-long surface craft converted for remote control and powered by two outboard engines.
No technical details were disclosed regarding the USV’s control system or operational capabilities; however, the vessel is fitted with a forward-mounted electro-optical sensor, which could be employed for intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance (ISR) purposes.
The LY-80(N) ship-to-air missile system is employed for medium-range area air defense and point defense against aerial threats within naval task groups. The system is capable of intercepting a wide range of targets, including anti-ship missiles, bombers, fighter-bombers, and armed helicopters, and demonstrates strong effectiveness against ultra-low-altitude threats. LY-80 is the export variant of the HHQ‑16 surface-to-air missile family, while LY-80(N) represents its navalized configuration. During the exercise, the missile was launched from PNS Taimur (F262), a Tughril-class multirole frigate of the Pakistan Navy. The missile has a maximum engagement range of approximately 40 kilometers and an effective interception altitude of up to 18 kilometers.
