BY PC Bureau
New Delhi, May 7, 2025 – India’s Operation Sindoor, a retaliatory airstrike targeting nine terrorist camps in Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (PoK), showcased the Indian Air Force’s (IAF) advanced weaponry, notably the SCALP cruise missiles and Hammer precision-guided bombs. Launched in response to the April 22 Pahalgam terror attack that killed 26 civilians, the operation utilized these French-made systems, deployed from Rafale fighter jets, to deliver precise, long-range strikes on terror infrastructure, including Jaish-e-Mohammed’s headquarters in Bahawalpur and Lashkar-e-Taiba’s base in Muridke. Here’s an in-depth look at these cutting-edge weapons and their role in India’s counter-terrorism strategy.
SCALP Cruise Missiles: Stealth and Long-Range Precision
The SCALP (Système de Croisière Autonome à Longue Portée), also known as Storm Shadow in the UK, is a long-range, air-launched cruise missile developed by MBDA, a European defense consortium. Integrated with the IAF’s Rafale jets, the SCALP was a key component of Operation Sindoor, enabling India to strike deep into enemy territory without violating Pakistani airspace.
- Range and Capabilities: The SCALP has a range exceeding 300 km, with some sources claiming up to 560 km, allowing strikes from standoff distances. Its low-observable (stealth) design minimizes detection by radar, making it ideal for penetrating defended airspace. The missile carries a 450 kg warhead, capable of destroying hardened targets like command centers, bunkers, and terrorist infrastructure.
- Guidance and Precision: Equipped with GPS, inertial navigation, and terrain-referenced navigation, the SCALP follows a low-altitude flight path to evade defenses. In its terminal phase, an infrared seeker ensures pinpoint accuracy, enabling it to strike high-value targets with minimal collateral damage.
- Role in Operation Sindoor: In the strikes on May 7, 2025, SCALP missiles were used to target strategic terror sites, such as the Jaish-e-Mohammed headquarters in Bahawalpur and Lashkar-e-Taiba’s Muridke base. Launched from Indian airspace, these missiles allowed the IAF to hit deep targets while maintaining a “non-escalatory” approach, avoiding Pakistani military facilities.
India carries out simultaneous missile attacks on several terror camps located in several cities of Pakistan; IC 814: Kandahar hijacking mastermind Maulana Masood Azhar's camp(Madarsa) in Bahawalpur destroyed. #OperationSindoor pic.twitter.com/9LgOLuTRra
— Churchill Aheer (@ChurchillAheer) May 6, 2025
ALSO READ: Operation Sindoor Strikes Terror Hubs, Kills 80 in Pak, PoK
The SCALP’s ability to strike from long distances was critical in Operation Sindoor, ensuring Indian jets remained outside Pakistan’s air defense range, reducing the risk of escalation. Sources confirmed that the missiles successfully decimated key terror infrastructure, with reports indicating up to 30 Jaish-e-Mohammed terrorists killed in Bahawalpur alone.
Hammer Bombs: Versatile Precision for Dynamic Targets
The Hammer (Highly Agile Modular Munition Extended Range), or AASM (Armement Air-Sol Modulaire), is a French precision-guided munition kit that transforms standard bombs into smart weapons. Used alongside SCALP missiles in Operation Sindoor, the Hammer provided the IAF with a versatile, medium-range option to neutralize a variety of terrorist targets.
- Range and Flexibility: The Hammer has a range of up to 70 km, depending on the launch altitude, and can be fitted to bombs weighing 125 kg to 1,000 kg. A rocket booster extends its reach, allowing standoff attacks, while its modular design supports multiple guidance systems, including GPS/INS, infrared, and laser guidance. This flexibility enables it to hit stationary targets like bunkers or dynamic targets like moving vehicles.
- Guidance and Adaptability: The Hammer’s guidance options make it highly adaptable. GPS/INS ensures accuracy in all weather conditions, while laser guidance allows real-time target adjustments, ideal for rapidly changing battlefield scenarios. Its ability to strike hardened shelters and infrastructure in varied terrains, such as PoK’s rugged landscape, enhanced its utility in Operation Sindoor.
- Integration with IAF: The Hammer is integrated with the IAF’s Rafale and LCA Tejas aircraft, providing a cost-effective precision strike capability. Its shorter range compared to the SCALP made it suitable for targets closer to the Line of Control (LoC), such as those in Kotli and Muzaffarabad.
During Operation Sindoor, Hammer bombs were likely used to target terror camps in PoK, including Lashkar-e-Taiba’s Bilal and Kotli camps, where proximity to the LoC required precise, rapid strikes. The munitions’ versatility ensured effective hits on both fixed infrastructure and potential mobile targets, contributing to the operation’s success.
#middleeast 🚨 Tensions escalate as India launches missile strikes into Pakistani-controlled territory, killing 8, per Pakistani officials. pic.twitter.com/hNklyiiKzV
— Hell & Back Co. | H&B Co. | HB News (@2HB_Official) May 7, 2025
ALSO READ: Operation Sindoor Disrupts Travel, Flights Grounded
Strategic Deployment in Operation Sindoor
Operation Sindoor, executed at 1:44 AM on May 7, 2025, was a tri-service operation involving the Indian Army, Navy, and Air Force, marking a historic coordinated effort. The IAF’s Rafale jets, armed with SCALP missiles and Hammer bombs, conducted nine precision strikes from Indian airspace, targeting terror hubs in Bahawalpur, Muridke, Sialkot, Kotli, Muzaffarabad, Gulpur, and other locations.
- Target Selection: The Research and Analysis Wing (RAW) provided coordinates for the strikes, identifying camps linked to Jaish-e-Mohammed and Lashkar-e-Taiba, responsible for the Pahalgam attack. The use of beyond-visual-range and standoff weapons ensured no Indian jets entered Pakistani airspace, aligning with India’s “measured and non-escalatory” approach.
- Impact: The strikes destroyed key terror infrastructure, with India Today reporting 30 Jaish-e-Mohammed terrorists killed in Bahawalpur. The operation avoided civilian and military targets, though Pakistan claimed civilian casualties, including eight deaths, and alleged a mosque in Bahawalpur was hit—a claim India has not addressed.
- Aviation Disruptions: The operation led to widespread flight cancellations by Air India, IndiGo, and SpiceJet, with airports in Srinagar, Jammu, Amritsar, and Chandigarh closed. Pakistan’s 48-hour airspace closure further disrupted global routes, forcing airlines to reroute over the Arabian Sea.
ALSO READ: Mock Drill Cover Masks ‘Operation Sindoor’ Terror Strikes
Why SCALP and Hammer?
The choice of SCALP missiles and Hammer bombs reflects India’s emphasis on precision and restraint. The SCALP’s long-range, stealth capabilities allowed deep strikes on high-value targets without risking IAF assets, while the Hammer’s versatility addressed a broader range of threats, from bunkers to mobile units. Both systems, integrated with the Rafale’s advanced avionics, ensured minimal collateral damage, aligning with India’s diplomatic narrative of targeting only terrorist infrastructure.
The use of French-made munitions also underscores India’s growing defense partnership with France, with the Rafale platform proving its worth in a real-world scenario. Posts on X praised the Rafale-SCALP-Hammer combination, with users highlighting the missiles’ precision and India’s technological edge.
Challenges and Controversies
While India claims Operation Sindoor was a success, Pakistan’s military reported lower casualties (eight, including civilians) and alleged strikes on non-military sites, such as a mosque in Bahawalpur. Pakistan’s claim of downing two Indian jets and a drone was debunked by Indian sources, who confirmed all IAF pilots and assets were safe. Misinformation on X, including exaggerated Pakistani claims of retaliatory strikes, further muddied the narrative, highlighting the challenge of controlling information in conflict zones.
The deployment of SCALP missiles and Hammer bombs in Operation Sindoor marks a significant milestone in India’s counter-terrorism strategy, demonstrating its ability to conduct precise, long-range strikes with minimal escalation. As the Indian Army prepares a detailed briefing later today, more clarity on the operation’s outcomes, including casualty figures and target damage, is expected.
For now, the operation has disrupted terror networks, with significant losses reported among Jaish-e-Mohammed and Lashkar-e-Taiba operatives. However, with Pakistan vowing retaliation and airspace restrictions persisting, the region remains on edge. The SCALP and Hammer, proven in combat, have solidified India’s reputation as a formidable force against terrorism, but the diplomatic and military fallout will shape the India-Pakistan dynamic for weeks to come.
