Not Just SCALP Missiles, India Used These Weapons And Jets Against Pakistan In Operation Sindoor
The IAF has used Rafale, Su-30 MKI, Mirage 2000 jets to target terror camps in Pakistan and PoK. Israel’s Spice-2000 bombs were also used to strike Pakistan
The Indian Air Force (IAF) has used Rafale, Su-30 MKI, Mirage 2000 jets to target terror camps in Pakistan and Pakistan Occupied Kashmir (PoK). Sources indicate that Spice-2000 (Smart, Precise Impact, Cost-Effective) bombs, an Israeli-developed guidance kit, were used to precisely hit the targets. The bombs were also used in the 2019 Balakot strikes.
What Are SCALP Missiles?
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The SCALP, also known as “storm shadow", is a European missile system with its name standing for ‘Système de Croisière Autonome à Longue Portée’. It is an air launched guided long-range cruise missile known for its stealth capabilities. It has the ability to perform in any weather along with no affect in its capabilities.
As per MBDA, a European multinational corporation that designs missiles and missile systems, “The weapon offers a high precision mission planned deep strike capability. STORM SHADOW/SCALP’s exceptional accuracy is due to its advanced navigation system that combines INS, GPS and terrain referencing. After launch, the weapon descends to terrain hugging altitude to avoid detection. On approaching the target, its onboard infrared seeker matches the target image with the stored picture to ensure a precision strike and minimal collateral damage."
The SCALP missiles have a range of 450 km due to its advanced navigation system, which uses INS, GPS and terrain referencing.
As it nears the target, the missile’s onboard infrared seeker matches the pre-fed target image, enabling precise strikes while minimising collateral damage. Its low-altitude flight path after launch also makes it difficult to detect.
The same missiles were reportedly used by Ukraine to strike targets inside Russia.
What Are HAMMER Air-To-Ground Bombs?
HAMMER (Highly Agile Modular Munition Extended Range) bombs, modular air-to-ground precision weapons, often referred to as a glide bomb, were reportedly used to strike Pakistan. With a range of up to 70 km, it can be integrated with standard bomb payloads.
The HAMMER is resistant to electronic jamming and can be launched from low altitudes over challenging terrain. Its ability to evade interception and breach fortified targets makes it a highly effective strike weapon.
HAMMER bombs are known for their adaptability. The kits can be attached to bombs ranging from 125 kg to 1,000 kg, and their 70 km strike range means Indian jets can stay clear of enemy radar and missile systems. The system is designed for both stationary and moving targets, and these bombs are ideal for neutralising terror launchpads and command posts.
What Are The Rafale Jets Used To Target Enemy Posts?
India used French-made Rafale jets to strike Pakistan in Operation Sindoor. Rafale jets have low radar observability because of their semi-stealth airframe. They come equipped with an advanced AESA radar (RBE2-AA).
The Rafale jets are equipped with the SCALP (Storm Shadow) missiles and HAMMER bombs.
Rafale’s SPECTRA EW suite is among the best in its class. It includes the Meteor beyond-visual-range (BVR) missile, advanced electronic warfare suites, and superior radar and communication systems.
As per Eurasian Times, the system can spot 40 targets at a range of 145 km. The system can also jam and copy enemy radar – making it harder for the F-16s to get a read on it.
India’s Rafale fighters are also equipped with the X-Guard fibre-optic towed decoy system – which allows them to dodge both air-to-air and surface-to-air missiles.
The Rafale’s Meteor has the biggest ‘no-escape zone’— the area in which the target cannot either avoid getting hit or the likelihood of a death shot is extremely high. The Meteor has a range of 120 km compared to the AMRAAMs 100 km.
What Are Su-30MKI Jets Used By India?
The IAF used Su-30MKI jets for defence in Operation Sindoor. The IAF engaged the distant targets while the others were hit by the Indian Army.
The Sukhoi Su-30MKI is a multi-role combat aircraft jointly developed by India’s Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) and Russia’s Sukhoi Design Bureau. Under a Memorandum of Understanding signed in October 2000, India began licenced production of the Su-30MKI at HAL’s manufacturing facilities. As of 2023, the IAF operated around 300 of these aircraft.
Measuring 72 feet in length with a 48-foot wingspan, the Su-30MKI is larger and heavier than the Rafale, designed for long-range missions and heavy payloads.
Powered by two AL-31FP turbofan engines with thrust-vectoring nozzles, it achieves speeds of Mach 2 and can operate at altitudes up to 56,000 feet. Its standout feature is its supermaneuverability, demonstrated by aerobatic feats like Pugachev’s Cobra, where the jet pitches its nose vertically while maintaining forward momentum.
The Su-30MKI carries up to eight tonnes of weaponry across 12 hardpoints, including the R-77 air-to-air missile, the BrahMos supersonic cruise missile with a 280-mile range, and the indigenous Astra missile. With over 260 units in service, it forms the backbone of India’s air force, offering unmatched versatility in air superiority, ground attack, and maritime strike roles.
What Are Mirage-2000 Jets?
The Dassault Mirage 2000, a French-designed multi-role fighter, has been in the IAF since the 1980s. Developed in the late 1970s as a lightweight successor to the Mirage III, it is a single-engine, delta-wing jet capable of speeds up to Mach 2.2 and a range of 1,550 km.
Measuring 14.36 metres in length with a 9.13-metre wingspan, the Mirage 2000 is powered by a Snecma M53-P2 after-burning turbofan engine, delivering 95.1 kN of thrust with an afterburner.
The IAF reportedly operates several variants, including the Mirage 2000H (single-seat) and 2000TH (two-seat trainer), with many upgraded to the Mirage 2000-5 standard, incorporating the advanced Thomson-CSF RDY radar and MICA missile compatibility.
The IAF has used Mirage 2000, notably during the 1999 Kargil War, where it flew over 500 sorties, delivering precision-guided bombs against Pakistani positions.
In 2019, nearly 12 Mirage 2000s conducted the Balakot airstrike, targeting a Jaish-e-Mohammed camp in Pakistan.
What Are SPICE Bombs?
SPICE bombs are a type of precision-guided weapon fired by warplanes. The bombs are made by weapons manufacturer Rafael USA. The company is owned by Israeli Rafael Advanced Defense Systems.
As per Business Insider, the SPICE bombs convert air-to-ground unguided bombs into precision-guided munitions.
The Rafael website states, “The highly sophisticated and combat-proven SPICE Guidance Kits address the needs of today’s increasingly complex battlefields. They convert 1000 lb and 2000 lb class general purpose and penetration warheads into precision stand-off strike weapons that deliver simultaneous attacks with pinpoint accuracy in a GPS-denied environment."
The SPICE bomb uses data in the chip – combined with images from the camera – to guide itself to the target. Rafael says the SPICE 2000 uses a “unique scene-matching algorithm."
As per Eurasian Times, The SPICE-2000 deployed with a 900-kg warhead bomb can create an incredibly deadly weapon that can even penetrate “hardened" targets like weapons storage facilities.
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