Explained: What Are SCALP Missiles And HAMMER Bombs Used By India In Operation Sindoor?
India deployed the SCALP cruise missiles and HAMMER precision-guided bombs during Operation Sindoor — here’s what makes these weapons stand out.
India launched a series of precision strikes under ‘Operation Sindoor’ early on May 7, in response to the deadly terror attack in Pahalgam last month, in which 26 people were killed.
These precision strikes targeted terrorist camps in Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (PoK) across nine locations. The Indian Army reportedly exercised considerable restraint in the selection of targets and method of execution, ensuring that only terrorist infrastructure was struck while sparing military establishments and civilian properties.
At the heart of these surgical operations were two weapons — the SCALP cruise missile and the HAMMER precision-guided munition. Both were deployed from India’s Rafale fighter jets. But what makes these weapons significant? Let’s find out!
SCALP Missile
The SCALP missile, also known by its British name ‘Storm Shadow’, is a long-range, air-launched cruise missile developed in Europe. Its full name, Systeme de Croisiere Autonome a Longue Portee, underscores its role as an autonomous, extended-range strike weapon.
Designed for stealth and precision, the SCALP is capable of operating in any weather conditions. As such, it’s able to maintain its effectiveness regardless of environmental factors.
Its maker, MBDA, describes its capability, stating that SCALP uses an advanced navigation system that integrates inertial navigation, GPS and terrain-following technologies. These features allow it to fly at low altitudes to evade enemy radar detection. As it approaches its target, the missile’s infrared guidance system compares the target with pre-loaded images to ensure high accuracy and minimise collateral damage.
Currently deployed by the air forces of the United Kingdom, France, Italy and several other nations, the SCALP has been actively used in military operations across Iraq, Libya and Syria, as per the maker’s website.
These attributes, especially its ability to navigate undetected and hit precise coordinates with minimal collateral damage, made it an ideal choice for India’s mission to dismantle terrorist bases in Pakistan and PoK.
HAMMER Bombs
Complementing the SCALP in Operation Sindoor was the deployment of the HAMMER munition, an acronym for Highly Agile Modular Munition Extended Range. Known as a glide bomb, the HAMMER is a precision-guided weapon capable of striking targets up to 70 kilometres away, regardless of weather conditions.
Manufactured by the French defence firm Safran, the HAMMER can be paired with various bomb weights — 125, 250, 500 and 1000 kg — providing flexibility for different mission types. On its website, Safran states, “Autonomous and insensitive to jamming, this weapon system can be launched from low altitude, over rough terrain.”
Equipped with multiple guidance systems, including INS/GPS, laser, and infrared options, the HAMMER can be tailored for both close air support missions and deep strike operations.
In Operation Sindoor, the HAMMER’s capacity to penetrate hardened structures while maintaining accuracy from low-altitude launches made it an invaluable asset in targeting well-protected terrorist facilities. Its combination of stealth, adaptability and precision ensured that the strikes achieved maximum impact with minimal exposure to countermeasures.
