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India and France are in advanced discussions to finalize a significant defence deal for the procurement of SCALP cruise missiles. The proposed acquisition, valued at approximately €300 million, follows the missiles’ successful deployment by the Indian Air Force (IAF) during Operation Sindoor. Defence officials said the deal reflects growing confidence in the missile’s operational capabilities and underscores the strengthening strategic partnership between the two nations.

SCALP Missile Performance in Operation Sindoor

During Operation Sindoor, the IAF deployed SCALP cruise missiles from Rafale fighter jets in precision strikes against terrorist infrastructure in Pakistan. Alongside BrahMos supersonic cruise missiles, SCALP targeted and destroyed key headquarters of Jaish-e-Mohammed and Lashkar-e-Taiba in the Muridke and Bahawalpur districts. Officials noted that the strikes achieved complete destruction of designated targets, validating the missile’s deep-strike precision and low-observability features.

Follow-Up Strikes on Pakistan Air Force Bases

Following the initial strikes on the night of May 6–7, the IAF conducted further missile operations against Pakistan Air Force (PAF) bases. These follow-up strikes hit 12 major PAF air bases, resulting in the destruction of high-value assets, including fighter jets and ground-based airborne surveillance platforms. The operations marked one of the most extensive uses of air-launched cruise missiles by the IAF in a live conflict scenario.

Rafale Weapons Package and Future Plans

The SCALP missile is a key component of the Rafale weapons package, and the IAF plans to continue its integration across the fleet. Concurrently, the Air Force is progressing with a substantial order for Meteor beyond-visual-range air-to-air missiles to strengthen air dominance capabilities. These missiles will also be integrated into the 26 Rafale Marine aircraft ordered for the Indian Navy, slated for induction over the next three to four years.

Rafale to Become the Backbone of the IAF

Following the Rafale’s performance in Operation Sindoor and in light of evolving regional security dynamics, the IAF is preparing a proposal to acquire an additional 114 Rafale combat aircraft. This proposal is expected to be presented to the Defence Acquisition Council soon. With these planned inductions, the Rafale fleet is projected to expand to nearly 200 aircraft over the next 10–15 years, establishing it as the cornerstone of India’s air combat capabilities.

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