Why in News?

India carried out Operation Sindoor, targeting 21 terror camps across nine locations in Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (PoK) in response to a recent terrorist attack in Pahalgam.

The Indian Armed Forces used precision strikes with niche-technology weapons and carefully chosen warheads to minimize collateral damage.

Although specific weapons were not disclosed, the military's arsenal now includes advanced precision-guided long-range weapons and drones, such as loitering munitions.

What’s in Today’s Article?

• Precision Guided Munitions (PGMs)
• Cutting-Edge Precision Weapons in India’s Military Arsenal

Precision Guided Munitions (PGMs)

• PGMs, also called smart weapons or smart bombs, are missiles or bombs designed to accurately strike specific targets while minimizing collateral damage.
• Key Features of PGMs
  • Advanced Guidance Systems: PGMs use GPS, laser guidance, infrared sensors, or radar to track and hit targets precisely.
  • Mid-Flight Course Corrections: They can adjust their trajectory mid-air to account for weather, wind, or targeting errors.
  • Reduced Collateral Damage: By targeting with precision, PGMs limit harm to civilians and nearby infrastructure.
  • Increased Accuracy: They offer greater accuracy than unguided munitions, with a much smaller margin of error.
  • Versatile Deployment: PGMs can be launched from aircraft, ships, ground platforms, or UAVs, enhancing their operational flexibility.

Cutting-Edge Precision Weapons in India’s Military Arsenal

• The Indian Air Force (IAF) deployed Rafale jets, which used SCALP missiles for deep strikes and HAMMER missiles for medium-range precision targets.
• HAMMER
  • The HAMMER (Highly Agile and Manoeuvrable Munition Extended Range) is an air-to-ground precision-guided weapon system developed by Safran, a French aerospace and defence company.
  • Capabilities and Range
    • It has a range of up to 70 km and can be mounted on Rafale jets, as well as fitted to bombs and other guided systems, making it highly versatile for medium-range tactical operations.
  • Advanced Features
    • The system is autonomous, resistant to jamming, and capable of being launched from low altitudes over rough terrain, allowing precision strikes against a wide range of targets.
  • India’s Procurement
    • India has procured several HAMMER systems in recent years to strengthen its aerial strike capabilities.
• SCALP
  • SCALP-EG (Système de Croisière Autonome à Longue Portée — Emploi Général), also known as Storm Shadow in the UK, is an air-launched cruise missile designed for long-range deep strike missions with stealth features.
  • Manufacturer and Range
    • Developed by MBDA, a European multinational defence company, SCALP has a range of around 450 km and is capable of low-altitude flight, making it hard to detect.
  • Operational Versatility
    • It can be deployed at night and in all weather conditions, providing the Indian Air Force with high operational flexibility.
  • Advanced Navigation and Targeting
    • SCALP uses a combination of INS, GPS, and terrain referencing for navigation, allowing it to penetrate heavily fortified targets like bunkers and ammunition depots with high precision.
• METEOR: Next-Gen Air-to-Air Superiority
• The Meteor is a Beyond Visual Range Air-to-Air Missile (BVRAAM) developed by MBDA, effective even in dense electronic warfare environments.
• It uses a solid-fuel ‘ramjet’ motor, providing continuous thrust and enabling the largest 'No Escape Zone' among air-to-air missile systems.
• BRAHMOS: India’s Supersonic Cruise Power
  • The BrahMos is a supersonic cruise missile jointly developed by India’s DRDO and Russia’s NPO Mashinostroyeniya, and is operational in all three Indian defence services.
  • It operates at speeds close to Mach 3, ensuring faster target engagement, low dispersion, and minimal interception risk.
  • The missile follows a ‘Fire and Forget’ mode, with a cruising altitude of up to 15 km and terminal altitude as low as 10 metres, carrying a 200–300 kg conventional warhead.
• Loitering Munitions
  • Loitering munitions are aerial weapons that combine surveillance and strike capabilities, allowing them to identify and engage targets with precision.
  • These systems can be operated autonomously or manually, offering real-time intelligence and the ability to strike at the right moment.
  • In recent years, the Indian Armed Forces have been actively procuring various types of drones, including loitering munitions, to enhance situational awareness and precision strike capabilities.