India uses the French-made Exocet missile, with the air-launched AM39 version on its Rafale M fighter jets and the submarine-launched SM39 variant on its Scorpène-class submarines. While a proven weapon, its relatively short range of around 70 kilometers has led the Indian Navy to pursue longer-range, domestically developed anti-ship missiles for enhanced capabilities.

Exocet Use by the Indian Navy

Air-launched (AM39): The Exocet AM39 is integrated with the Rafale M carrier-based fighter jets, providing a potent anti-ship capability.

Submarine-launched (SM39): The SM39 variant is deployed on the Scorpène-class submarines, allowing them to launch missiles from submerged positions, as seen in a test on INS Kalvari.

Limitations and Future Plans

• ▸Limited range: The 70km range of the AM39 is a concern against modern warships with long-range air defense systems.
• ▸Need for longer-range missiles: The Indian Navy is actively seeking to integrate locally developed anti-ship missiles with greater range.

Key Specifications