SCALP missiles, HAMMER bombs and kamikaze drones: The arsenal India unleashed on Pakistan in Operation Sindoor

NEW DELHI: “India’s firm response against terrorism” was how Prime Minister Narendra Modi described Operation Sindoor while marking one year of the military action that pushed India and Pakistan into one of their most intense confrontations since Balakot. The operation, launched shortly after midnight at 1:05 am on May 7, 2025, saw India carry out precision strikes on terror infrastructure across Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied Kashmir following the deadly April 22 Pahalgam terror attack that killed 26 civilians.The operation lasted just minutes, but its impact stretched across four tense days of military escalation between the two nuclear-armed neighbours. For India, Operation Sindoor was not merely retaliation. It was a demonstration of how modern warfare is increasingly fought through precision-guided missiles, electronic warfare systems, drones, artificial intelligence-backed command centres, and long-range surveillance platforms rather than conventional troop-heavy offensives.

As political leaders commemorated the first anniversary of the operation, attention once again turned to the sophisticated arsenal India used to destroy terror camps linked to Lashkar-e-Taiba, Jaish-e-Mohammed, and Hizbul Mujahideen. The strikes also marked the most expansive cross-border precision operation by India since the 2019 Balakot airstrikes.

Why Operation Sindoor was launched

Operation Sindoor was triggered by the April 22, 2025 terror attack in Pahalgam, Jammu and Kashmir, where terrorists opened fire on civilians, killing 26 people, including a serving Indian Navy officer and a Nepali national. Indian intelligence agencies linked the attackers to Pakistan-based Lashkar-e-Taiba, intensifying pressure on the government for a decisive response.

.

Unlike previous retaliatory actions, India planned Sindoor as a coordinated high-tech military operation involving air, naval and land-based assets. Officials repeatedly maintained that Pakistani military installations were not targeted and that the strikes focused exclusively on terror infrastructure operating across the border.The operation struck nine locations, including terror launch pads, training facilities, infiltration hubs and logistical centres used by terror organisations.Among the major targets identified were:

Indian officials described the operation as “measured, non-escalatory and precise”, though the scale of weapon deployment reflected months of preparation and strategic planning.

Rafale fighter jets became the spearhead of the operation

At the centre of Operation Sindoor were India’s Rafale fighter jets, which carried out deep precision strike missions using some of the most advanced weapons in the Indian arsenal.The French-origin multirole fighters played a central role because of their ability to operate in dense electronic warfare conditions while carrying long-range stand-off weapons. The jets reportedly entered combat zones under the cover of airborne surveillance systems and electronic warfare support, enabling them to strike without exposing pilots to hostile air defence systems.

.

The Rafales were equipped with SCALP cruise missiles and HAMMER precision-guided bombs, both of which became the defining weapons of the operation.

SCALP cruise missiles were designed for deep precision strikes

One of the most talked-about weapons used during Operation Sindoor was the SCALP cruise missile, also known internationally as Storm Shadow.The missile is a stealthy, air-launched cruise weapon designed for deep-strike missions against hardened and high-value targets. With a range exceeding 250 kilometres — and reportedly capable of going beyond 450 kilometres in some configurations — SCALP allowed Indian fighter jets to strike terror camps without crossing heavily defended airspace.Its low radar visibility and terrain-hugging flight profile made interception extremely difficult. The missile was primarily used against reinforced command centres, bunkers and infrastructure associated with Jaish-e-Mohammed and Lashkar-e-Taiba.Military analysts noted that the use of SCALP reflected India’s preference for stand-off warfare — hitting targets from long distances while reducing risks to aircraft and pilots.

HAMMER bombs targeted reinforced terror infrastructure

India also deployed AASM HAMMER bombs during the operation. The acronym stands for Highly Agile Modular Munition Extended Range, a precision-guided stand-off weapon capable of striking targets from distances between 50 and 70 kilometres depending on launch altitude.

The HAMMER bombs were reportedly used against reinforced buildings, bunkers and training compounds. Their ability to maintain pinpoint accuracy even in difficult terrain made them particularly suitable for mountainous regions and heavily fortified terror camps.The combination of SCALP missiles and HAMMER bombs allowed India to simultaneously engage multiple targets with precision while minimising collateral damage.

Loitering munitions changed the nature of the battlefield

Another defining feature of Operation Sindoor was India’s use of loitering munitions, commonly known as kamikaze drones.Unlike conventional missiles, loitering munitions can hover over target areas, conduct surveillance, identify threats and then strike with precision. During the operation, these drones were reportedly used to destroy radar installations, missile systems, convoys and mobile enemy infrastructure.

.

Among the systems believed to have been deployed were Harop drones and SkyStriker loitering munitions. Harop drones, manufactured in collaboration with Israel Aerospace Industries and Bharat Electronics Limited, are designed to autonomously identify and destroy enemy radar systems. SkyStriker drones, assembled through an Indian joint venture, were used for precision attacks with minimal collateral damage.The operation demonstrated how drone warfare is becoming central to modern military doctrine. Instead of relying entirely on manned aircraft, loitering munitions provided India with persistent surveillance and rapid strike capability.

BrahMos missiles added speed and destructive capability

Reports surrounding Operation Sindoor also pointed to the possible deployment of BrahMos supersonic cruise missiles.Jointly developed by India and Russia but largely manufactured in India, the BrahMos missile travels at speeds between Mach 2.8 and Mach 3, making it among the fastest cruise missiles in the world.

The missile’s combination of speed, low radar signature and high kinetic impact makes interception extremely difficult. Analysts believe BrahMos missiles were potentially used against hardened targets and radar stations because of their destructive power and accuracy.

Its deployment also sent a strategic message regarding India’s growing indigenous missile manufacturing capabilities under the “Make in India” and “Atmanirbhar Bharat” initiatives.

METEOR missiles secured Indian airspace

While SCALP cruise missiles and HAMMER bombs were used for precision strikes on terror camps, the METEOR beyond visual range air-to-air missile played a major role in securing Indian airspace during Operation Sindoor. Integrated with Rafale fighter jets, the missile gave the Indian Air Force the ability to engage hostile aircraft from long distances, allowing Indian strike formations to operate without major aerial threats.Developed by European defence company MBDA, the METEOR is considered among the world’s most advanced air-to-air missiles. Unlike conventional missiles that lose speed in the final phase of flight, METEOR uses a ramjet propulsion system that helps it maintain high speed and manoeuvrability throughout its trajectory. This creates a larger “no escape zone” for enemy aircraft once targeted.

During the operation, METEOR-equipped Rafales acted as a strong deterrent against potential Pakistani aerial intervention. Military analysts said the missile provided India a decisive edge in contested airspace, particularly in electronic warfare conditions involving radar jamming and signal disruption. Pakistan’s Chinese-origin JF-17 Thunder aircraft were seen as technologically disadvantaged against the Rafale-METEOR combination.Beyond direct combat, the missile helped protect Indian strike packages carrying SCALP and HAMMER munitions, enabling them to focus on precision attacks against terror infrastructure. In many ways, METEOR became a key element in helping India maintain air superiority throughout Operation Sindoor.

India’s air defence shield prevented retaliation

Operation Sindoor was not only about offensive firepower. A major part of the operation’s success depended on India’s layered air defence systems, which neutralised retaliatory drone and missile threats from Pakistan.According to official accounts, Pakistan attempted to target several Indian military locations in northern and western India using drones and missiles during the escalation. However, Indian air defence systems intercepted and neutralised these threats.

.

The backbone of this defence network was the Indian Air Force’s Integrated Air Command and Control System (IACCS), which fused data from radars, airborne sensors, civilian monitoring networks and surveillance systems to create a comprehensive real-time battlefield picture.The system coordinated multiple defence assets simultaneously, including:

India’s indigenous Akash missile system reportedly delivered “stellar performance” during the operation. Designed by DRDO, the system can engage multiple aerial targets simultaneously and includes advanced electronic counter-counter measures.

Drones and electronic warfare became force multipliers

Operation Sindoor also highlighted India’s growing capability in electronic warfare and counter-drone systems.

India deployed the D4S anti-drone system — short for Drone Detect, Deter and Destroy System — which combines radar, radio frequency jamming, electro-optical sensors and laser-based neutralisation capability. The system reportedly neutralised multiple hostile drones attempting to enter Indian airspace.Indian military officials said the conflict showcased the importance of layered defence structures combining:

The operation also demonstrated India’s ability to jam and bypass enemy radar networks, including Chinese-origin air defence systems deployed by Pakistan.

Surveillance systems and satellites played a critical role

One of the least visible but most important aspects of Operation Sindoor was the role played by surveillance and battlefield intelligence systems.India relied heavily on airborne early warning aircraft such as the Netra AEW&C system and Israeli-origin Phalcon AWACS aircraft to monitor enemy aircraft movement and coordinate strikes in real time.

Satellite support also became crucial. ISRO chairman V Narayanan later stated that at least 10 satellites were continuously working round the clock to support strategic monitoring and national security requirements during the period. These systems helped monitor India’s borders, coastline and hostile movements.India’s NavIC satellite network also contributed through encrypted military-grade positioning and navigation support.

Op Sindoor became a showcase of Atmanirbhar Bharat

Beyond the battlefield, Operation Sindoor was projected as proof of India’s growing defence self-reliance.Much of the discussion after the operation centred around the increasing role of indigenous defence manufacturing under the “Make in India” and “Atmanirbhar Bharat” initiatives launched by the Modi government.

Military expert John Spencer described the operation as a “battlefield verdict” on India’s defence modernisation, arguing that India demonstrated the effectiveness of domestically integrated warfare systems against Chinese-origin military hardware used by Pakistan.“Operation Sindoor pitted India’s indigenously developed weapons systems against Chinese-supplied platforms fielded by Pakistan. And India didn’t just win on the battlefield — it won the technology referendum,” Spencer said in a detailed post analysing the conflict.The operation also boosted investor confidence in Indian defence manufacturers, with defence-linked companies witnessing sharp stock market gains after the strikes.

A turning point in India’s military doctrine

Operation Sindoor ultimately marked more than a retaliatory strike against terror camps. It represented a shift in India’s military doctrine towards precision warfare driven by indigenous technology, artificial intelligence-backed systems, drones, surveillance platforms and network-centric combat capabilities.The operation showed how future conflicts may increasingly depend on electronic warfare, long-range precision strikes and autonomous systems rather than conventional troop deployments.One year later, Operation Sindoor continues to be viewed not only as a military operation but also as a statement of technological capability, strategic messaging and defence self-reliance. From Rafale jets and SCALP missiles to Akash air defence systems and kamikaze drones, the operation showcased the changing face of Indian warfare in the 21st century.