After Its Stellar Performance on Rafale during Op Sindoor, IAF Now Seeks to Integrate SCALP-EG on Tejas Mk1A/Mk2

The Indian Air Force (IAF) is in discussions to equip its domestically developed Tejas Mk1A and upcoming Tejas Mk2 fighter jets with the formidable SCALP-EG long-range cruise missile.

This strategic move follows the missile's reportedly outstanding performance when launched from Rafale jets during a recent military mission, codenamed "Operation Sindoor."

The initiative aims to significantly broaden India's deep-strike capabilities by arming a larger portion of its fleet, a critical consideration amid evolving regional security dynamics with Pakistan and China.

The SCALP-EG, a stealthy air-launched missile developed by European firm MBDA and also known as Storm Shadow, proved its effectiveness during the operation.

Deployed from the IAF’s 36 Rafale aircraft, the missile was reportedly crucial in neutralising key, heavily protected targets.

With a range of over 560 kilometres and a powerful 450-kilogram warhead, the SCALP's design allows it to fly at very low altitudes to avoid radar detection, enabling it to penetrate sophisticated air defence networks and deliver highly precise strikes with minimal collateral damage.

According to reports, the missile’s success in "Operation Sindoor" was independently verified by satellite imagery from commercial providers KawaSpace and MizarVision. The imagery confirmed direct hits on hardened structures, including command centres and airbase hangars.

The SCALP’s ability to successfully evade advanced, Chinese-supplied HQ-9 surface-to-air missile systems highlighted its technological superiority and operational value, prompting the IAF to explore its integration with other aircraft.

The process of fitting the SCALP missile onto a non-Rafale platform presents significant technical challenges. The IAF is reportedly engaging with MBDA to navigate the complex integration required.

The missile's advanced guidance system, which uses a combination of inertial navigation, GPS, and terrain-following sensors, must be made fully compatible with the Tejas's unique avionics.

This will involve substantial software and hardware modifications to the Tejas Mk1A’s Israeli EL/M-2052 AESA radar and the Tejas Mk2's planned indigenous Uttam AESA radar system.

Successfully integrating the SCALP onto the Tejas fleet would mark a major enhancement of the IAF's offensive power. It would empower a lighter, cost-effective fighter to perform long-range strike missions previously reserved for heavier jets like the Rafale and Su-30 MKI.

With 83 Tejas Mk1A jets already on order and plans for over 300 Tejas Mk2 aircraft, the IAF could field a massive force capable of launching stealthy standoff attacks, creating a powerful deterrent in the face of ongoing military advancements in the region.

 

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[Safari]

Sure if the French allow.

 

[sanket]

Needs a local production line as I have said many times, not only for SCALP-EG but for Meteor too.

 

[Warfighter]

Acceptable initiative, but we should be preferring indigenous standoff weapons like Khagantak if we truly want to become self-reliant.

 

[Yogi2K]

Acceptable initiative, but we should be preferring indigenous standoff weapons like Khagantak if we truly want to become self-reliant.

Khaganta is a bomb with wings that extends its range by gliding up to 180 km, as far as SCALP is a long-range cruise missile up to 500 km, which also has a terrain-specific capability.

 

[Yogi2K]

Sure if the French allow.

The French have no problem if a plane is using the indigenous Uttam or Virupaksha Radar, but are not ready with ELTA's ELM-2052 or Bars NO11M.

 

[Hari Sud]

No comparable Indian missile is under development or ready to be deployed. At roughly $2 million apiece, 200 of these missiles will cost a huge lot of money.

 

[Rinku Pandey]

Way to go. Very impressive cruise missile this SCALP/Storm Shadow. These wrecked havoc on Russian side.

 

[Warfighter]

Khaganta is a bomb with wings that extends its range by gliding up to 180 km, as far as SCALP is a long-range cruise missile up to 500 km, which also has a terrain-specific capability.

Valid point, but look at the cost difference. I think that air-launched Pinaka is the need of the hour.

 

[Kira]

The French have no problem if a plane is using the indigenous Uttam or Virupaksha Radar, but are not ready with ELTA's ELM-2052 or Bars NO11M.

Seems like that's the case, as usually many nations are wary of integrating their own weapons with third-country radars for security and commercial reasons.

 

[bonito]

Great news to see IAF existing 150 MK1A to be augmented with best missile. Oh! Wait, where are the jets?

 

[hahababa]

Aren't we developing CATS Hunter to address this category? Correct me if I'm wrong.

 

[Python]

Make an air-launched version of Pinaka and Brahmos NG instead.

 

[sujit raj]

Why don't we build our own stealth cruise missile, when we are very good at developing one?

 

[Yog]

More than SCALP-EG. Cruise subsonic missile, Tejas Mk1a needs an at par SPECTRA kind of Electronic Warfare Suite.

• Digital RF Memory
• Data Fusion

 

[Rational Guy]

Focus on RudraM 2 and 3 testing first and integration onto Tejas!

 

[Dredd]

Would be happier with the integration of Gautham and Gaurav precision-guided bombs.

 

[Sandeep]

The Scalp missile is certainly good and it’s a very effective and accurate missile in taking out a target. There is a mistake in the above narrative though. In order to launch these missiles the air force had to destroy several of their radar and SAM sites before we could definitely launch these missiles and kamikaze drones with a reasonable guarantee it will hit them. Also it’s absolutely possible that we can launch them from any of our jets with a bit of upgrade and modifications but it’s a very expensive missile to buy.

What India needs to do is quickly complete developing our own 100% indigenously designed, developed and manufactured Rudram MK1-4. These missiles will be very accurate, lethal, effective, reliable and cost effective missiles which will hit the target at Mach 5 hypersonic speed which makes it very difficult to intercept. It also uses inertial navigation system, GPS, millimetre wave, active and passive radar homing capabilities which makes it very lethal.