Key Points:
- India used French-made SCALP missiles, launched from Rafale jets, to strike terror leader Hafiz Saeed’s hideout during Operation Sindoor.
- SCALP (Storm Shadow) is a long-range, air-launched cruise missile designed for precision deep strikes on fortified targets.
- The missile can hit targets over 500 km away, using stealth, low-altitude flight, and advanced guidance to evade enemy defenses.
- Its 450 kg BROACH warhead is built to destroy bunkers and critical infrastructure.
- SCALP’s integration with Rafale jets gives India the ability to strike high-value targets deep inside enemy territory without crossing borders.
New Delhi: During Operation Sindoor, the Indian Air Force used the advanced SCALP missile, fired from Rafale jets, to target Hafiz Saeed’s fortified hideout-marking a major leap in India’s precision strike capabilities.
What is the SCALP Missile?
The SCALP (Système de Croisière Autonome à Longue Portée) missile, known as Storm Shadow in the UK, is a Franco-British air-launched cruise missile developed by MBDA. Weighing about 1,300 kg and measuring 5.1 meters in length, it is designed for long-range, deep strikes against high-value, fixed targets like command bunkers, airfields, and ammunition depots.
Key Features and Capabilities
- Range & Stealth: SCALP can strike targets over 500 km away, flying at low altitudes (30–50 meters) to avoid radar detection and enemy air defenses.
- Precision Guidance: It uses a combination of inertial navigation, GPS, and terrain-following radar, switching to an infrared seeker for terminal guidance to ensure meter-level accuracy.
- Warhead: The missile carries a 450 kg BROACH warhead, which uses a two-stage charge to penetrate hardened bunkers before detonating inside, maximizing internal damage.
- Launch Platform: SCALP is integrated with India’s Rafale jets, allowing launches from within Indian airspace, reducing risk to pilots while maximizing strategic impact.
- Combat Proven: Besides India, SCALP has been used in NATO operations in Iraq, Libya, Syria, and by Ukraine for deep strikes behind enemy lines.
Strategic Impact for India
The induction of SCALP missiles with Rafale jets has transformed India’s ability to conduct deep, surgical strikes on terror infrastructure in hostile territory, without crossing borders or exposing aircraft to enemy air defenses. This capability not only enhances deterrence but also allows India to respond swiftly and precisely to terror threats, as demonstrated in Operation Sindoor.
