Place of origin Pakistan Used by Pakistan Navy | In service 9 April 2016 | |
Type Land-based Anti-Ship Guided Cruise Missile | ||
The Zarb missile is a land-based anti-ship guided cruise missile system currently in operation with Pakistan Navy. The word "Zarb" means "Strike" or "Hit" in Urdu language.
Zarb missile most likely a modification of an existing platform or an import from China. The Chinese C-802 and the American Harpoon missiles are the most potent Anti Ship weapons available with the Pakistan Navy, this new missile is most likely a modified version of one of these missiles or a completely new missile from Chinese shelves.
Scenario 1: Modified Harpoon
There is a slight possibility that the Zarb is actually a modified Harpoon missile. But there is a stronger possibility that it is not. A few years back Pakistan triggered a major controversy by 'illegally' modifying harpoon missiles, thereby making it capable of hitting land targets. This temporarily muddied the already tumultuous US-Pak bilateral military relationship even further. Eventually this issue was forgotten but it severely limited the chances of Pakistan acquiring more of these missiles in the future. Since the US is not selling anymore Harpoons to Pakistan, it does not make much sense for Pakistan to scavenge the Harpoons from their P-3Cs and Frigates to build a coastal defence system.
Scenario 2: China
The Chinese have been a generous military partner for the Pakistanis. The Chinese have a huge assortment of anti-ship missiles to choose from and one could be easily handed over to Pakistan. The Chinese use the HY-2 (Silkworm derivative), C-802 and the YJ-62 for their own coastal defence purposes. The 'zarb' probably has some Pak specific customization in it but in all likelihood is not a brand new design. The missile was inducted into the Pakistan navy immediately after the first test flight without any further developmental trials. It demonstrates that the missile is built around a proven design/platform. No pictures or details of this missile have been revealed. Zarb was successfully tested by the Navy on April 9, 2016 from a coastal area and it successfully engaged its target in the Arabian sea. The missile was formally inducted into Pakistan's Navy defense system soon after its successful launch. No further details about the missile were released at the time of its first launch. Some also believe that Zarb is an anti ship version of Babur Cruise missile.