Pakistan intercepts Indian SCALP cruise missile launched from Rafale fighter jet

The SCALP missile was reportedly launched from a new Rafale fighter jet, the only aircraft currently carrying this missile in the Indian Air Force. India received the SCALP missiles as part of its first contract for French aircraft, with military experts estimating that approximately 150 units were delivered, although the exact number remains undisclosed.

⭕ The French SCALP-E missile that was shot down by Pakistani air defences. pic.twitter.com/yPTE24yecn

— Defence Pakistan (@Defence_PK99) May 12, 2025

The published images reveal fragments of the downed missile, including sections of the fuselage and the multi-stage BROACH warhead. This warhead, developed by BAE Systems plc, weighs between 400 and 450 kg and is engineered to penetrate and destroy heavily fortified targets such as bunkers, command centres, airfields, and strategic installations.

Further photographs display a French-made turbojet engine, the Microturbo TRI 60-30, captured from an alternative perspective. It is believed that the winged missile was launched from a Rafale fighter jet, reportedly shot down during the night of May 7, 2025.

Reports from the Pakistani Ministry of Defence claim the downing of at least six Indian fighter jets. However, independent confirmation has verified the loss of four aircraft. The Pakistan Air Force deployed Chinese J-10CE fighter jets armed with PL-15E air-to-air missiles to neutralise the Indian Rafales.

Additionally, a K-36DM ejection seat was discovered in the Ramban area of Jammu state, a model used on Indian Air Force MiG-29 and Su-30MKI fighter jets. This finding aligns with evidence indicating the use of the BrahMos cruise missile in the region, as these aircraft are its only operational carriers.