Weapons Used in Operation Sindoor: SCALP, HAMMER Missiles & Kamikaze Drones

Discover the advanced weapons used in Operation Sindoor, including SCALP and HAMMER missiles, BRAHMOS, METEOR, and Kamikaze drones. Learn how India executed precision strikes on terror camps with cutting-edge technology.

Table of Contents

In a high-precision pre-dawn aerial strike code-named Operation Sindoor, Indian Armed Forces bombed several terror training camps deep in Pakistan and PoK, showing a sharp intensification of India’s counter-terrorist war. The operation, carried out with war-room level strategy coordination among the Indian Air Force, Army, and Navy, demonstrated India’s state-of-the-art military muscle.
One of the operation’s strengths was the advanced weaponry used by India, such as SCALP and HAMMER missiles launched from Rafale fighter jets and kamikaze drones (loitering munitions) for reconnaissance and strike missions. A thorough discussion of the weapons used during Operation Sindoor is presented below.

Weapons Used in Operation Sindoor

India’s Operation Sindoor, launched on May 8, 2025, was a decisive counter-terror mission against 21 terror camps in Pakistan and PoK. The operation demonstrated India’s capabilities in advanced precision strikes by fusing next-generation missiles and drones. From deep-penetration cruise missiles to loitering munitions, the Indian Armed Forces employed a combination of indigenous and foreign weapons systems to achieve precision, speed, and strategic triumph while reducing collateral damage.

Weapon System	Type	Purpose
SCALP Missile	Long-range cruise missile	Struck deep terror infrastructure in Pakistan
HAMMER Missile	Precision air-to-ground	Targeted medium-range mobile and fortified targets
BRAHMOS Missile	Supersonic cruise missile	Used for rapid, bunker-busting strikes
METEOR Missile	Beyond Visual Range AAM	Protected Indian airspace during the operation
Loitering Munitions	Kamikaze drones	Real-time surveillance and autonomous strikes

Details of Weapons Used in Operation Sindoor

Operation Sindoor, conducted by the Indian Military, was a counter-terror operation targeting terrorist camps in Pakistan and PoK. It highlighted India’s sophisticated airstrike capacity with precision-guided weapons. The operation utilized everything from deep-penetration cruise missiles to loitering munitions and high-speed supersonic systems and emphasized seamless integration across the Air Force, Navy, and Army. Here is a detailed table showing the main weapons utilized during Operation Sindoor, their characteristics, source, and utilization during the mission.

Weapon	Type	Origin	Range	Key Features	Role in Operation Sindoor
SCALP (Storm Shadow)	Long-Range Cruise Missile	France (MBDA)	~450–500 km	Terrain-hugging flight, stealth, INS + GPS guidance, high accuracy	Targeted deep, fortified terror bases with high-value bunkers
HAMMER	Precision-Guided Bomb	France (Safran)	~70 km (modular)	All-weather, GPS/IR/laser guidance, jamming-resistant, adaptable	Struck medium-range terror assets and mobile targets with precision
BRAHMOS	Supersonic Cruise Missile	India-Russia	~450–500 km (modern)	Mach 2.8–3.0 speed, fire-and-forget, low-altitude strike, 200–300 kg warhead	High-speed bunker-busting attacks on high-value targets
METEOR	BVRAAM (Air-to-Air Missile)	Europe (MBDA)	>100 km (No-Escape Zone)	Active radar homing, solid-fuel ramjet engine, advanced ECCM	Ensured Indian air superiority, neutralized airborne threats
Loitering Munitions	Kamikaze Drones	Indigenous/Imported	Variable (10–100+ km)	Real-time surveillance, autonomous/semi-autonomous strikes, mobile target focus	Struck time-sensitive targets; supported real-time recon and surgical attacks

List of Weapons Used in Operation Sindoor

HAMMER Missile – Tactical Precision Airstrike Weapon

Feature	Details
Full Form	Highly Agile Modular Munition Extended Range
Origin	France
Type	Air-to-Ground Precision-Guided Munition
Range	Up to 70 km
Integrated With	Rafale Fighter Jets
Key Features	– Precision in all-weather conditions – Resistant to jamming – Effective at low altitudes and rough terrain – Autonomous targeting
Role in Operation Sindoor	Used for medium-range strikes on terrorist camps with minimal collateral damage. Enabled pinpoint accuracy in tactical missions.

SCALP Cruise Missile (Storm Shadow) – Deep Strike Stealth Weapon

Feature	Details
Full Form	Système de Croisière Autonome à Longue Portée
Origin	France (MBDA)
Also Known As	Storm Shadow (UK)
Type	Air-Launched Long-Range Stealth Cruise Missile
Range	Up to 450 km
Key Features	– Terrain-hugging stealth flight – GPS, INS, and terrain mapping – Effective against bunkers and hard targets
Role in Operation Sindoor	Used for deep-penetration strikes on terror command centers and key infrastructure in PoK and Pakistan.

METEOR Missile – Air Superiority Weapon

Feature	Details
Type	Beyond Visual Range Air-to-Air Missile (BVRAAM)
Manufacturer	MBDA
Propulsion	Solid-fuel Ramjet Engine
Range	Over 100 km
Key Features	– Extended No-Escape Zone – High kill probability – Effective in electronic warfare (EW)
Role in Operation Sindoor	Ensured air dominance by neutralizing aerial threats, protecting Indian fighter jets in hostile skies.

BRAHMOS Supersonic Cruise Missile – Strategic Strike Asset

Feature	Details
Developed By	Jointly by DRDO (India) & NPOM (Russia)
Speed	Mach 2.8 to 3.0
Range	450–500 km (after India joined MTCR)
Warhead	200–300 kg
Platform Compatibility	Land, Sea, and Air
Key Features	– Fire-and-forget capability – Terminal altitude as low as 10 meters
Role in Operation Sindoor	Targeted fortified terror bases and depots. High speed ensured little reaction time for enemies.

Loitering Munitions (Kamikaze Drones) – Surveillance & Strike Combo

Feature	Details
Type	Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAVs) with integrated strike capability
Key Features	– Hovers above targets – Real-time surveillance – Autonomous/semi-autonomous targeting – Explosive payload delivery
Role in Operation Sindoor	Neutralized moving or high-value targets like vehicles and commanders. Delivered precision strikes and live intel.

Akashteer Control & Reporting System – Integrated Air Defense Network

Feature	Details
Name	Akashteer
Developed By	Bharat Electronics Limited (BEL)
Type	Air Defense Control and Reporting System
Function	Integrates radars, sensors, weapons, and decision-making tools
Deployment	For real-time monitoring of low-level airspace and air threat response
Key Features	– Fully network-centric – Interlinks multiple weapon systems – Automated threat prioritization
Role in Operation Sindoor	Provided real-time command, coordination, and situational awareness to orchestrate air defense operations effectively.

ZSU-23-4 Shilka System – Self-Propelled Anti-Aircraft Weapon

Feature	Details
Name	ZSU-23-4 Shilka
Origin	Russia
Type	Self-Propelled Anti-Aircraft Gun
Armament	4 × 23 mm autocannons
Radar	Gun-laying radar for target tracking
Effective Range	2.5 km (air), 2 km (ground)
Role in Operation Sindoor	Deployed to protect strategic installations and forward airbases from low-flying aerial threats like drones and helicopters.

Anti-Aircraft Guns – Ground-Based Air Defense

Feature	Details
Type	Towed or Self-Propelled Anti-Aircraft Guns
Examples	L-70 Bofors, ZU-23-2, Oerlikon guns
Purpose	Neutralize low-flying aircraft, helicopters, UAVs
Effective Range	Varies (typically 2–4 km)
Key Features	– High rate of fire – Quick reaction capability
Role in Operation Sindoor	Provided last-layer defense against aerial incursions, ensuring safety of strike assets and command centers.

MRSAM – Medium Range Surface-to-Air Missile

Feature	Details
Full Form	Medium Range Surface-to-Air Missile
Jointly Developed By	DRDO (India) and IAI (Israel)
Type	Surface-to-Air Missile
Range	70–100 km
Speed	Mach 2+
Guidance	Active radar homing
Role in Operation Sindoor	Shielded forward bases and strategic zones from hostile aircraft, missiles, and drones. Enabled mid-range intercept capability.

LRSAM – Long Range Surface-to-Air Missile

Feature	Details
Full Form	Long Range Surface-to-Air Missile
Also Known As	Barak 8
Jointly Developed By	DRDO (India) and IAI (Israel)
Type	Naval and Land-based Air Defense Missile
Range	Up to 100–150 km
Speed	Mach 2+
Guidance	Active radar with two-way datalink
Role in Operation Sindoor	Protected high-value military assets and critical infrastructure from long-range aerial threats, including enemy aircraft and UAVs.

Why These Weapons Matter

Operation Sindoor showcased India’s technological advancement and strategic shift toward network-centric warfare. Each weapon system was chosen to:

Maximize targeted lethality
Minimize civilian damage
Overcome terrain and electronic warfare hurdles

Together, these platforms created a multi-layered attack system—integrating air superiority, deep strike, real-time reconnaissance, and high-speed engagement.

Conclusion

Operation Sindoor is a confident assertion of India’s no-tolerance policy against terrorism. The finely chosen combination of HAMMER, SCALP, METEOR, BRAHMOS, and Kamikaze drones is a testament to India’s dedication to precision, professionalism, and deterrence.
These arms not only guaranteed the success of the operation but also demonstrated India’s increasing defence self-sufficiency and tactical finesse on the world stage.