India’s air power is set to receive a significant upgrade with the integration of the SCALP-EG missile into the Tejas Mk1A and Mk2 variants, enhancing their strike capabilities against threats from Pakistan and China. This long-range stealth cruise missile, with a 560 km range and 450-kg warhead, has already demonstrated its effectiveness during Operation Sindoor. Integrating the SCALP-EG poses technical challenges, but the move will bolster the Indian Air Force’s operational flexibility and compensate for the limited number of Rafales. This strategy aims to ensure that indigenous platforms can undertake high-stakes missions traditionally reserved for heavier fighters, thereby increasing India’s combat readiness.