MBDA, the European missile consortium, has proposed a joint development program with India to co-create a next-generation air-launched cruise missile (ALCM) based on the SCALP-EG technology. This initiative aims to enhance the missile’s standoff range, radar-evading capabilities, and terminal maneuverability, thereby enabling precision strikes in complex urban environments. India’s current modernization efforts, including indigenous projects like the HAL CATS Hunter and BrahMos-NG, will not be undermined but rather complemented by this collaboration, potentially broadening missile integration across various platforms. The strategic significance lies in securing advanced technology while balancing the goals of self-reliance and operational capability enhancement within the Indian Air Force.