Excalibur, Scalp & Hammer struck targets with precision

The Indian military strikes into Pakistan on Wednesday used some of the latest weapons from the arsenal that have a capability of precision strikes over long distances. The point of impact in each of the targets was a specific building or a group of buildings.

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The Army was tasked with seven targets, the IAF was tasked with two targets. The IAF hit the camps at Muridke and Bahawalpur while the Army hit the rest. The Tribune has learnt that the US made ultra-light howitzer the ‘M777’ was used to fire an ammunition called the ‘Excalibur’ was used. This is precision strike ammunition round and was part of the deal India had with the US to procure 145 of these guns. The Excalibur can fire at distance of 40 kms with pin-point accuracy.

The Army also used loitering ammunition. The military calls this ‘kamikaze drones’. These can stay on hold in the air for hours and the ground controller can feed in the coordinates of the target. The drone will strike at the target. Both imported and indigenous kamikaze drones were used, sources said.

At the press briefing today, Wing Commander Vyomika Singh told about the IAF strikes saying “these were undertaken through precision capability, niche technology and a careful selection of warheads was ensured. The point of impact in each of the target was a specific building or a group of buildings, all the targets were neutralised with clinical efficiency”.

Details of the military hardware used to strike the nine terrorist camps were not revealed at the briefing.

It learnt the IAF deployed the Rafale jets that can carry the long range missile the Scalp and the guided bomb the ‘hammer’. The Mirage 2000 jets were carrying the ‘Crystal Maze’ missile of 250 km range .

The Hammer smart weapon can through multiple floors of a building to destroy it. The Hammer (Highly Agile Modular Munition Extended Range) is integrated on the Rafale and can hit at targets at 60 km away.

The Scalp deep-strike cruise missiles with a range of 550 km was used on the Bahawalpur that is 100 km from India. It means the jets would be flying over Jaladhar when the pilot can release the Scalp and it would hit Bahawalpur.