How have deception techniques evolved?
Background
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Deception has always been part of warfare.
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With precision-guided munitions, advanced ISR (Intelligence, Surveillance, Reconnaissance), drones, and network-centric warfare, modern decoys have become high-tech, AI-enabled, and multi-domain (air, land, sea).
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Decoys confuse enemy targeting systems, waste expensive munitions, and buy time for retaliation/escape.
1. Airborne Decoys
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India’s Use – X-Guard Fibre-Optic Towed Decoy (FOTD):
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Installed on Rafale jets, part of SPECTRA EW suite.
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Mimics aircraft Radar Cross-Section (RCS), Doppler velocity, and spectral signature.
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360° jamming capability; trails 100 m behind aircraft.
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Credited in Operation Sindoor (2025) with spoofing Pakistani J-10C radars/missiles.
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Comparable Global Systems:
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Leonardo’s BriteCloud → Eurofighter Typhoon, Gripen-E, F-16.
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Raytheon/BAE ALE-50/55 → F/A-18E/F Super Hornet.
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Adaptable to UAVs (Heron, MQ-9 Reaper).
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2. Land-Based Decoys
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Types: Inflatable, wooden, radar-reflective, thermal-emitting, 3D-printed dummy tanks/artillery/missile batteries.
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Ukraine: Wooden & 3D-printed HIMARS, radar systems → forced Russia to waste missiles/drones.
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Russia: Inflatech → creates dummy armoured formations within minutes.
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U.S.: Decoy vehicles tested to mislead Javelin ATGMs.
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India: 2025 – Army issued RFI for T-90 decoys replicating thermal & acoustic signatures to fool drones.
3. Naval Decoys
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Techniques: Chaff, acoustic decoys, off-board active deception systems.
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Nulka Active Missile Decoy (Australia–U.S.):
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Self-propelled, mimics radar signature of a larger vessel.
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Diverts radar-guided missiles away from real warship.
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Indian Navy: INS Karanj submarine → equipped with torpedo decoy system & marine commando launch capability.
4. Strategic Significance
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Cost-effective defence: Decoys cost far less than the munitions they waste.
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Force multiplier: Enhances survivability of expensive assets (fighter jets, tanks, warships).
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AI-Enabled Future: Integration with real-time data, adaptive jamming, swarming decoys for mass deception.
Conclusion
Decoys have moved from simple camouflage to AI-driven, multi-domain active deception systems. For India, rapid induction of such technologies is critical in the context of adversaries’ advanced missile & drone warfare capabilities.
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