May 13, 2005

The United States has agreed to sell Pakistan a new, and more capable, model of the Harpoon anti-ship missile. The 40 air launched and 20 surface launched Harpoon missiles Pakistan will get all use GPS and more sensitive target detection systems to achieve better accuracy. The U.S. says these sixty missiles wont change the balance of power in the region, where the Indian navy dominates the local waters. This new version of the 1,600 pound Harpoon entered service in 2002 and has a max range of 224 kilometers. The new version of the Harpoon is meant mainly for export, as the U.S. Navy has not bought any.