The Indian Air Force is advancing plans to integrate the French SCALP-EG air-launched cruise missile on its Su-30MKI, MiG-29, and upcoming Tejas Mk2 fighters to bolster deep-strike capabilities, following the missile’s proven success in Operation Sindoor on May 7, 2025. During that counter-terrorism operation amid escalated border tensions, IAF Rafale jets fired salvos of SCALP-EG missiles with over 90% hit rates against Pakistani airbase infrastructure and terrorist targets, penetrating dense defenses via stealth and terrain-following navigation, despite the fleet’s limited 36 aircraft. This move addresses gaps from delays in indigenous Nirbhay missiles, with Tejas Mk2’s Western avionics offering smoother integration by 2028-29, while Su-30MKI and MiG-29 adaptations face technical hurdles merging French and Russian systems. The effort underscores India’s strategic push for fleet interoperability, enhancing deterrence against regional threats.