In the wake of India’s decisive use of the BrahMos supersonic cruise missile during Operation Sindoor (May 7–10, 2025), Pakistan is urgently seeking advanced air defense systems to bolster its defenses against this formidable weapon. As per reports BrahMos, a joint India-Russia venture, demonstrated its devastating capability by penetrating Pakistan’s Air Defence system’s. India managed to cripple Chinese-supplied HQ-9B and HQ-16 air defense systems and 11 of 13 Pakistani Air Force (PAF) bases were targeted by India. Facing this strategic setback, Pakistan is exploring Italy’s Common Anti-Air Modular Missile – Extended Range (CAMM-ER) and Germany’s InfraRed Imaging System – Tail/Thrust Vector Controlled (IRIS-T) to counter India’s precision-strike capabilities. Reports indicate Pakistan is likely to favor the German IRIS-T system.
Chinese-made HQ-9P and HQ-16 failed to intercept Indian missile and jets over Pakistani territory. More over HQ-16 shot down Pakistani Mirage jet for lacking an IFF and datalink connecting the interceptor missile to the fire control radar.
The CAMM-ER, developed by MBDA, is a medium-range air defense missile designed for flexibility and integration with various platforms. Its key features include:
The system engages targets up to 45 km away and at altitudes up to 20 km, suitable for countering cruise missiles and aircraft. It also uses a “fire-and-forget” system with a two-way data link, allowing mid-course corrections and resilience against jamming. The Italian system is compatible with land, sea, and air platforms, making it versatile for Pakistan’s diverse defense needs. Also the vertical launch reduces thermal signatures, enhancing survivability against counterattacks.
Pakistan’s interest in CAMM-ER stems from its proven performance in European air defense systems and its ability to counter low-flying, high-speed threats like the BrahMos. Its relatively low cost and integration with NATO-standard systems make it an attractive option for modernizing Pakistan’s air defenses. However, the CAMM-ER’s range and interception speed may be insufficient against the BrahMos’s Mach 3 velocity and sea-skimming profile, limiting its effectiveness in high-intensity scenarios.
The IRIS-T, developed by Diehl Defence in collaboration with Germany, Sweden, Italy, and others, is a short-to-medium-range air defense system with surface-launched variants (IRIS-T SLM/SLS).
The IRIS-T SLM offers a 70 km range and can engage targets at altitudes up to 20 km, while the SLS variant focuses on short-range threats (up to 40 km). The system uses advanced imaging infrared technology to distinguish targets from decoys, effective against cruise missiles and drones.
Thrust-vector control enables agile interception of fast-moving targets, critical for countering the BrahMos missile. The IRIS-T SLM has demonstrated a high kill ratio in Ukraine, intercepting over 60 Russian missiles and drones since October 2022, including systems with technological similarities to the BrahMos’s Russian predecessor, the P-800 Oniks.
Pakistan sees the IRIS-T as a robust counter to the BrahMos due to its proven track record, advanced seeker technology, and compatibility with modern air defense networks. Its success in Ukraine against high-speed threats has bolstered its appeal.
Why Pakistan Is Likely to Choose IRIS-T
The IRIS-T SLM’s performance in Ukraine, where it neutralized Russian cruise missiles and drones, gives it a combat-tested edge. Ukrainian air defense forces used the German-supplied IRIS-T system to intercept eight Russian cruise missiles in just 30 seconds, preventing damage to critical infrastructure, according to the Air Force of the Armed Forces of Ukraine. IRIS-T ostensibly performed well against Russia’s Oniks cruise missiles. Oniks share a technological lineage with India’s BrahMos.
IRIS-T’s infrared seeker and high maneuverability are better suited to counter the BrahMos’s speed and low-altitude flight profile compared to the CAMM-ER’s radar-based system, which may struggle with the missile’s stealth features.
Germany and Pakistan have a history of defense cooperation, including the 2011 Pak-Germany Strategic Dialogue and a 2023 bilateral trade volume of €3.3 billion. Germany’s discreet promotion of the IRIS-T to Pakistan, as noted in defense reports, aligns with its economic interests and defense diplomacy, particularly through the ESSI. In contrast, Italy’s alignment with NATO and stronger ties with India may complicate CAMM-ER exports to Pakistan.
The IRIS-T’s production by Diehl Defence, with Germany as the lead nation, ensures a reliable supply chain. Pakistan could potentially negotiate local production or assembly, addressing stockpile concerns.
The IRIS-T’s compatibility with NATO-standard systems and its multi-layered approach (SLM/SLS/SLX variants) align with Pakistan’s need to upgrade its CLIAD. The system’s ability to integrate with existing Chinese and Western assets in Pakistan’s arsenal offers flexibility. The IRIS-T’s combat-proven status and immediate availability (with Germany delivering 10 units to Ukraine by May 2025) make it a faster solution to address Pakistan’s urgent need to counter BrahMos.
The IRIS-T SLM is expensive, with a single battery costing €178 million, and Pakistan’s economic constraints may limit procurement scale. Local production, could mitigate this but requires significant investment.
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