Rafale Arsenal Unleashed: How SCALP & HAMMER Gave India Edge In Operation Sindoor – DETAILS | (Photo Courtesy: X/@jurgen_nauditt)
India’s decisive military action under ‘Operation Sindoor’ has put a spotlight on two critical assets in the Indian Air Force’s arsenal — SCALP cruise missiles and HAMMER precision-guided bombs. Used in a coordinated strike across Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied Jammu and Kashmir, these high-precision weapons enabled the Indian Armed Forces to neutralise multiple terror hubs while minimising civilian risk.
According to reports, the overnight assault targeted nine high-value terror-linked locations, including Bahawalpur and Muridke, bases of Jaish-e-Mohammed and Lashkar-e-Taiba. As per defence sources, the mission was carried out in response to the deadly terror attack in Pahalgam which claimed 26 lives.
Unlike the 2019 Balakot airstrike that relied on Mirage 2000 jets, this operation marked the first significant combat deployment of India’s Rafale fleet.
Here’s everything you need to know about the two weapons:
SCALP: Long-Range Stealth with Surgical Precision
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The SCALP missile, also known as Storm Shadow, is a next-generation air-launched cruise missile developed by the European firm MBDA. Its biggest advantage lies in its deep strike capability, with a range of around 300 km and a precision guidance system that uses a trio of navigation methods, including inertial navigation (INS), GPS, and terrain reference.
What sets SCALP apart is its terminal guidance system. As it nears its target, an onboard infrared seeker compares real-time visuals with a pre-programmed image, ensuring high accuracy and limited collateral damage. It is also designed to fly low to evade radar, making it a difficult target for enemy defences.
Its penetrating warhead allows it to destroy reinforced bunkers, command centres, and weapon depots exactly the type of infrastructure hit during Operation Sindoor. The same missile has been deployed by Western nations in recent conflicts and was reportedly used by Ukraine in 2023 against Russian positions.
HAMMER: Tactical Flexibility in Complex Terrain
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Complementing SCALP in the operation were HAMMER bombs, short for Highly Agile Modular Munition Extended Range. Manufactured by France’s Safran Group, these glide bombs, with a range of up to 70 km, are known for their adaptability. They can be fitted onto standard munitions and transformed into smart bombs with high precision.
Resistant to electronic jamming and operable in all weather, HAMMER is ideal for missions involving rough terrain or low-altitude launches. Its ability to pierce hardened targets made it especially useful for dismantling terror infrastructure embedded in civilian zones.
