France to offer Hypersonic ALCM to India and other Rafale operators

Source : Indian Defence Updates (IDU)

MBDA Hypersonic Air Launched Cruise Missile (ALCM) [Image Source: MBDA Press Release]

France is working on a Hypersonic Air-Launched Cruise Missile (ALCM) that will be equipped on its Rafael F5 standard that will give it the capability for the suppression and destruction of enemy or defenses (SEAD) mission.

France has offered the Rafale F4 standard to India under the Indian Air Force’s MRFA tender that will have the ability to carry new weaponry such as Meteor-NG Beyond Visual Range Air to Air Missile (BVRAAM) and Mica-NG variant and 1000 kilograms variant of Hammer but it will also carry the Hypersonic air-launched cruise missile as the missile will be backward compatible to both Rafael F3R and F4 standard that has high chances of being procured under the MRFA tender.