SOURCE: AFI
On May 6, 2025, India conducted a series of precision airstrikes under Operation Sindoor, targeting terrorist infrastructure in Pakistan and Pakistan-administered Kashmir. The strikes hit key locations such as Muzaffarabad, Kotli, Gulpur, Bhimber, Sialkot, Muridke, Chak Amru, and Bahawalpur, escalating tensions along the Line of Control (LoC). Analysis of the strikes, supported by footage showcasing the distinct sound of a turbojet engine before impact, strongly suggests the Indian Air Force (IAF) deployed Rafale jets armed with SCALP cruise missiles and Hammer standoff weapons.
Footage of the bombings circulating online reveals a distinct turbojet sound prior to impact, a hallmark of the SCALP (Système de Croisière Autonome à Longue Portée) cruise missile, known in France as the Storm Shadow. The SCALP, integrated on India’s Rafales, is powered by a Microturbo TRI 60-30 turbojet engine, producing the characteristic sound heard in the videos. This missile has a range of over 560 km (in its export version), a 450 kg warhead, and is designed for low-altitude, terrain-hugging flight to evade radar detection.
The SCALP’s precision and stealth capabilities make it a likely choice for striking fortified terrorist infrastructure, such as the sites targeted in Muzaffarabad and Bhimber. Its use would allow Rafale jets to launch from a safe distance, minimizing exposure to Pakistani air defenses, which include systems like the HQ-9 and LY-80.
In addition to SCALP missiles, the IAF likely employed the Hammer (Highly Agile Modular Munition Extended Range) standoff weapon. The Hammer, a French precision-guided munition, is a rocket-assisted bomb with GPS/INS and laser guidance options, offering a range of up to 70 km when launched from high altitude. It can be fitted with various warheads, including penetration variants ideal for destroying bunkers and command centers—targets consistent with India’s stated goal of dismantling terrorist infrastructure.
The Rafale can carry up to 14 Hammers, allowing for multiple target engagements in a single sortie. The weapon’s versatility and accuracy, demonstrated during IAF exercises like Tarang Shakti 2024, make it well-suited for the dense urban environments of targets like Sialkot and Muridke.
Pakistan’s air defense network, while formidable, has gaps that the Rafale can exploit. The SCALP’s low-altitude flight profile and the Hammer’s high-speed, precision strikes likely overwhelmed local defenses, especially in rugged terrains like Kotli and Gulpur, where ground-based radar coverage is limited.
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