SOURCE: AFI
Following the successful execution of Operation Sindoor, a high-intensity military operation targeting Pakistani airbases and radar installations in May 2025, the Indian Air Force (IAF) has expressed its complete satisfaction with the performance of French-supplied Rafale fighter jets and SCALP cruise missiles. India’s Defence Attaché (AD) in France formally conveyed gratitude to the French government for its unwavering support since the operation’s outset, highlighting the pivotal role of French equipment in achieving mission objectives. The AD also praised a mid-May joint mission by France’s Directorate General of Armament (DGA) and Air and Space Force (AAE), which facilitated critical information exchange, further strengthening bilateral defense cooperation.
Operation Sindoor, launched in response to heightened tensions along the Line of Control (LoC), demonstrated India’s ability to conduct precision strikes against Pakistani military infrastructure. The Rafale, a 4.5-generation multirole fighter jet manufactured by Dassault Aviation, was the centerpiece of the operation. Equipped with advanced Active Electronically Scanned Array (AESA) radar, SPECTRA electronic warfare suite, and a versatile weapons package, the Rafale executed deep-strike missions with remarkable efficacy. The SCALP (Système de Croisière Autonome à Longue Portée) cruise missile, also known as Storm Shadow, played a critical role in neutralizing high-value targets, such as radar stations and command centers, with pinpoint accuracy.
The SCALP, a stealthy, air-launched cruise missile with a range exceeding 560 km, is designed for complex missions requiring penetration of fortified air defenses. Its low-altitude flight profile and advanced navigation systems enabled it to evade Pakistan’s air defense systems, including Chinese-supplied HQ-9 batteries. The Indian AD in France noted, “The Rafale system, with its munitions adapted to the most complex missions, performed particularly well during this operation,” underscoring the platform’s reliability and lethality in contested environments.
The IAF operates 36 Rafale jets, acquired under a €7.87 billion deal signed with France in 2016, stationed at Ambala (No. 17 Squadron “Golden Arrows”) and Hasimara (No. 101 Squadron “Falcons”). These jets, tailored to Indian specifications with enhancements like helmet-mounted displays, low-band jammers, and integration with indigenous systems like the Astra missile, proved their worth in Operation Sindoor. Posts on X praised the Rafale’s “game-changing” performance, with users noting its ability to deliver SCALP missiles at standoff ranges, minimizing exposure to enemy defenses.
The IAF’s reliance on French equipment highlights the limitations of Pakistan’s air defenses, which struggled to counter the Rafale’s stealth features and the SCALP’s low-observable profile. The operation also showcased India’s ability to integrate indigenous systems, such as the DRDO-developed Uttam AESA radar and Astra missile, with the Rafale platform, enhancing its versatility. This synergy between French and Indian technologies positions the IAF to address multifaceted threats, including China’s expanding naval and air presence in the IOR, particularly around Sri Lanka’s Hambantota Port.
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