India deployed a range of advanced weapons and aircraft in Operation Sindoor, a coordinated military strike on Pakistani military infrastructure. The operation was launched in response to Pakistan’s attempted attacks on 26 Indian targets, including air bases in Udhampur, Pathankot, and Adampur, during the night of May 9 and 10.
Among the key weapons used was the HAMMER (Highly Agile Modular Munition Extended Range) bomb, a precision-guided munition with a strike range of up to 70 kilometers. Designed to target fortified positions, it can be paired with a payload of up to 1,000 kilograms and is effective in difficult terrain.
India also deployed the SCALP missile, also known as the Storm Shadow. Developed in Europe, this missile weighs approximately 1,300 kilograms and has a range of 300 kilometers. It is known for its precision and advanced guidance systems, and is typically carried by Rafale jets.
The BrahMos supersonic cruise missile was another major component of the operation. Developed jointly by India and Russia, it can deliver warheads up to 300 kilograms and travels at speeds of Mach 3, allowing it to strike distant targets with high impact.
For air defense, India relied on the S-400 Triumf system. This Russian-made system includes radar units, missile launchers, and a command center. It is capable of intercepting and destroying incoming ballistic missiles and other airborne threats.
The indigenous Akash surface-to-air missile system was also activated. It can target aircraft and drones at altitudes up to 20 kilometers. Each launcher can operate three missiles simultaneously, each 20 feet long and weighing 710 kilograms.
India also used HAROP drones, also called kamikaze or suicide drones. These drones loiter above the target area and are remotely guided to crash into designated targets, delivering explosive payloads with high accuracy.
Reports suggest the use of multiple aircraft, including the Rafale, Sukhoi Su-30 MKI, and Mirage 2000, as part of the air assault.
Following the strikes, Pakistan’s Director General of Military Operations contacted his Indian counterpart to propose a halt in hostilities.
