In what analysts are calling a potential turning point in South Asia’s military balance, Pakistan’s Air Force has reportedly conducted a precision strike using a Chinese-supplied CM-400AKG hypersonic missile, allegedly neutralizing India’s S-400 “Triumf” air defense system near the eastern border. If verified, the strike represents not only the operational debut of the CM-400AKG in combat but also the most significant direct challenge yet to India’s air defense capabilities.
A video released by Pakistan’s military on Saturday shows a JF-17 “Thunder” fighter—jointly developed by Pakistan and China—equipped with two CM-400AKG missiles. The footage marks the first public confirmation of the missile’s deployment in Pakistan’s arsenal, ending years of speculation about its operational status.
The release of the video, alongside statements by Pakistan’s Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR), is being widely interpreted as a deliberate act of strategic messaging. The footage coincided with a statement claiming that a Pakistani airstrike had successfully destroyed an Indian S-400 battery stationed at the Adampur Air Force Station in Punjab’s Jalandhar district.
“The mission utilized high-speed precision-guided munitions capable of penetrating layered air defenses,” the ISPR claimed, adding that the attack was conducted from a JF-17 platform at standoff range.
India has swiftly and forcefully denied the claim, labeling it “disinformation and propaganda.” In a statement from India’s Ministry of Defence, officials said no such incident occurred and accused Islamabad of orchestrating an “information warfare campaign aimed at destabilizing regional security dynamics.”
India’s acquisition of the Russian-made S-400 Triumf system, finalized in 2018 under a $5.43 billion deal, was intended to serve as a keystone of the country’s integrated air defense network. Delivered in stages beginning in December 2021, the S-400 has been deployed at key strategic points along India’s western and northern borders.
The system’s radar and missile array are designed to track and intercept a wide range of threats—jets, cruise missiles, drones, and even ballistic missiles—over distances up to 400 kilometers. Adampur’s location in Punjab makes it a critical node in defending India’s northwestern airspace, including key military and civilian infrastructure.
Military experts quoted by China’s Xinhua news agency noted that if the destruction of an S-400 battery is verified, it would represent a profound setback for India’s air defense posture and could force a reevaluation of its tactical assumptions.
While Islamabad has not officially confirmed the missile system used, the circumstantial evidence points to the CM-400AKG—a high-supersonic missile developed by China Aerospace Science and Industry Corporation (CASIC). Though advertised by some Chinese sources as hypersonic, the missile operates in the grey zone between high-supersonic and hypersonic speeds, reportedly capable of reaching Mach 4.5 to Mach 5.5 depending on launch conditions.
The CM-400AKG weighs approximately 900 kilograms and is launched from high-altitude fighter aircraft, most notably the JF-17. It has an effective range between 100 and 240 kilometers. Its key tactical advantage lies in its semi-ballistic flight profile, which allows it to descend almost vertically at high velocity—making it extremely difficult for conventional surface-to-air missile (SAM) systems like the S-400 to detect and intercept in time.
Equipped with Inertial Navigation Systems (INS), satellite-based GNSS, and a choice of terminal seekers—ranging from passive radar to infrared—the missile is engineered for precision strikes against both mobile and fixed high-value targets.
Saturday’s development aligns with Pakistan’s broader military modernization roadmap unveiled in early 2024. Under the leadership of Air Chief Marshal Zaheer Ahmed Baber Sidhu, Pakistan’s air doctrine has shifted toward creating a “lethal and survivable” force focused on rapid response and precision engagement capabilities.
The incorporation of high-speed, long-range missile systems like the CM-400AKG is a cornerstone of this shift. Pakistani defense sources have long touted the missile’s dual-use capability—able to engage both naval assets and critical ground-based installations such as radar networks, airbases, and command centers.
According to unofficial estimates, Pakistan has procured approximately 60 CM-400AKG units from China at a cost of around $100 million. Analysts interpret this as a sign of long-term doctrinal integration rather than a symbolic or limited-capacity deployment.
India’s outright rejection of the Pakistani claim has done little to quell speculation. Independent verification remains elusive, but open-source intelligence analysts are examining satellite imagery for signs of damage or movement around Adampur. Indian defense commentators argue that even if no physical damage occurred, Pakistan’s messaging may still achieve psychological or deterrence objectives.
“The mere assertion of a successful hypersonic strike undermines India’s deterrence credibility if left unanswered,” said Ajay Kumar, a retired Indian Air Marshal. “Whether or not the S-400 was hit, the perception that it could be is enough to demand a strategic reassessment.”
That reassessment may include accelerating investments in next-generation air defense technology. India’s Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) is already developing indigenous counter-hypersonic systems, and analysts suggest that cooperation with foreign partners such as Israel—particularly around systems like David’s Sling—could intensify in the coming months.
The CM-400AKG’s emergence as a frontline weapon changes the calculus of aerial warfare in South Asia. Traditional deterrence in the region has hinged on mutual assured destruction through nuclear weapons and conventional military parity. The reported use of a hypersonic-class missile introduces a destabilizing factor—one that compresses decision-making timeframes and elevates the risk of escalation through pre-emptive action.
“This could mark the start of an era where stand-off precision strikes using high-speed weapons become central to strategic planning in the subcontinent,” said Christine Fair, a South Asia specialist at Georgetown University. “It’s no longer just about who has more aircraft or tanks—it’s about who can disable the other side’s eyes and ears before a shot is fired in earnest.”
Pakistan’s claimed success with the CM-400AKG will likely push India to upgrade not just its missile defenses but also its early warning and electronic warfare capabilities. Experts predict increased deployments of mobile radar systems, decoys, and countermeasures as both sides prepare for a new, faster-paced theater of conflict.
China’s indirect role in this episode cannot be overlooked. The CM-400AKG is a product of China’s expanding missile exports, particularly to partners within its Belt and Road Initiative or those with strategic alignment. Pakistan’s JF-17, the missile’s primary launch platform, is itself a symbol of Sino-Pakistani military cooperation.
“The strike—real or staged—sends a clear message about the depth of China-Pakistan defense ties,” said Richard Bitzinger, a senior fellow at the S. Rajaratnam School of International Studies. “It also serves as a marketing pitch for Chinese missile systems in global arms markets, especially in regions where cost-effective, high-speed weapons are in demand.”
China has remained officially silent on the incident, but state-run media outlets have covered the event with strong emphasis on the CM-400AKG’s capabilities and the implications for India’s strategic defenses.
Whether the strike occurred exactly as Pakistan claims, the broader takeaway is clear: South Asia is entering a new phase in its security dynamics. With both India and Pakistan armed with nuclear weapons, the advent of high-speed conventional munitions like the CM-400AKG complicates the already fragile stability.
For now, no escalation has followed. Indian and Pakistani diplomats have avoided inflammatory rhetoric, though behind closed doors, both sides are likely recalibrating their next steps.
“The nature of deterrence in this region is evolving,” said Pravin Sawhney, editor of Force magazine. “It’s no longer enough to hold nuclear weapons or advanced fighter jets. The real contest is over the ability to strike first, strike fast, and strike accurately. That’s what hypersonic—or near-hypersonic—capability offers.”
In sum, Pakistan’s claimed use of the CM-400AKG hypersonic missile against one of India’s most advanced air defense systems marks a potential inflection point in regional military dynamics. Whether the strike is independently verified or not, the implications are profound: an emerging missile arms race, greater reliance on preemptive doctrines, and a widening technological gap fueled by China’s growing role as a defense supplier.
