Global Defense News
On May 12, 2025, images shared on the X platform by @DefencePakistan reportedly showed that Pakistan’s air defense system had successfully intercepted a French-made SCALP cruise missile, allegedly launched from a Rafale fighter jet belonging to the Indian Air Force. This event would have occurred amid heightened tensions in the Jammu and Kashmir region, reflecting an evolving phase of technological confrontation between two regional nuclear-armed powers.
The SCALP missiles, also known as Storm Shadow within the UK armed forces, were reportedly delivered to India under its initial Rafale procurement contract with France. Although the exact number of transferred missiles has not been officially disclosed, Indian military analysts estimate the inventory at around 150 units. Currently, the Rafale remains the only platform in the Indian service capable of launching the SCALP missile. The SCALP (Système de Croisière Autonome à Longue Portée), also designated Storm Shadow in the UK, is a long-range air-to-surface cruise missile developed jointly by France and the United Kingdom through MBDA. Designed for precision strikes against fortified targets, the missile is capable of reaching ranges of up to 560 kilometers at subsonic speeds of approximately Mach 0.8 to 0.95. It can be deployed from various aircraft platforms, including the Rafale, Mirage 2000, Eurofighter Typhoon, and Tornado GR4. Its guidance system relies on a combination of GPS, inertial navigation, and a terrain reference system (TERPROM), supported by an imaging infrared seeker with automatic target recognition for terminal guidance, ensuring accuracy even under jamming or degraded GPS conditions.
The SCALP is equipped with a 450 kg BROACH warhead, a tandem-charge system capable of defeating heavily fortified structures such as underground bunkers or command centers. The first stage of the charge is designed to breach outer defenses, while the second, more powerful charge detonates within the structure to maximize internal damage. Powered by a Microturbo TRI 60-30 turbojet engine delivering 5.4 kN of thrust, the missile follows a low-altitude flight profile to reduce exposure to air defense systems. Its aerodynamic design and radar-absorbing materials enhance its low observability, making the SCALP a capable system for long-range strategic strikes.
