Chief of Army Staff (COAS) General Qamar Javed Bajwa on Thursday visited the Army Air Defence Centre Karachi where he witnessed the commissioning of the state-of-the-art High to Medium Air Defence System into Pakistan Army Air Defence, according to a press release issued by the military.
Lt Gen Hamooduz Zaman Khan, Commander Army Air Defence Command, briefed the Army chief about the strategic weapon system, according to the Inter Services Public Relations (ISPR).
Commissioning of HQ-9/P HIMADS will enhance air defense shield of aerial frontiers of Pakistan as the system is fully integrated through the digitized system, said the ISPR press release.
“Induction of HIMADS will significantly enhance Comprehensive Layered Integrated Air Defence (CLIAD) shield of aerial frontiers of Pakistan as the system is fully integrated through a well-knit Digitised System on its inventory,” the official communiqué read.
The HQ-9/P is considered as a strategic long-range Surface to Air Missile (SAM) with incredible flexibility and accuracy, the military’s media wing said. The system is capable of interrupting multiple air targets including aircraft, cruise missiles, and Beyond Visual Range Weapons at distance of over 100kms with Single Shot Kill Probability.
Speaking at the occasion, the COAS said that induction of high-tech systems will make air defense of the country impenetrable in the emerging threat scenario.
Highlighting the significance of air defense in the overall defense of the country, the Army chief said that commendable synergy between Pakistan Army Air Defense and the Pakistan Air Force makes the air defense of Pakistan indestructible. General Bajwa also commended Pak-China strategic partnership.
“Pakistan–China strategic partnership and defense collaboration is a factor of stability in the region,” the COAS said.
Senior officials from China were also present on the occasion.
Earlier, the army chief on his arrival laid a floral wreath at Shahuada monument.