India, France eye major Rs 3,200cr SCALP missile deal – how the weapon was used in Operation Sindoor - The Times of India

India and France are moving closer to a major defence deal worth around 300 million euros (Rs 3,200 crore) for the procurement of SCALP long-range cruise missiles. This follows their operational use by the Indian Air Force during Operation Sindoor in May 2025. The missiles, fired from Rafale fighter jets, targeted Jaish-e-Mohammed and Lashkar-e-Toiba headquarters in Pakistan’s Muridke and Bahawalpur districts. Operation Sindoor was India’s most extensive cross-border precision strike since 2019, launched in response to a terror attack in Pahalgam. In addition to SCALP missiles, the IAF is ordering Meteor air-to-air missiles and is preparing a proposal for 114 additional Rafale combat aircraft, with the fleet projected to reach 200 over the next 15 years.