The ongoing conflict in Ukraine has highlighted a critical gap in India's air defence strategy: the lack of robust decoy systems. Decoys, designed to mimic the radar signature and flight patterns of aircraft and missiles, have proven instrumental in misleading enemy air defenses and ensuring the success of airstrikes.
How Decoys Work
Decoys can be deployed in various ways to deceive enemy radars and air defence systems:- Airstrikes: Decoys are launched ahead of the actual strike force, diverting enemy attention and resources towards false targets. This allows the real aircraft to approach undetected and deliver their payload.
- SEAD/DEAD Missions: By mimicking threats, decoys force enemy radar systems to reveal their locations, making them vulnerable to targeted strikes.
- Missile Strikes: Decoys can be used to confuse enemy surface-to-air missiles (SAMs), increasing the success rate of missile strikes on intended targets.
The Importance of Decoys
Decoys offer several advantages for modern air warfare:- Enhanced survivability of aircraft and missiles: By drawing fire away from real targets, decoys significantly increase the chances of mission success.
- Cost-effective: Decoys are a relatively inexpensive way to overwhelm and confuse enemy air defenses.
- Strategic advantage: By disrupting enemy air defence networks, decoys can create opportunities for offensive operations and gain air superiority.
India's Decoy Development
While the Indian Air Force has not yet officially expressed interest in acquiring decoys, a private Indian firm, JSR Dynamics Ltd, is developing Miniature Ground Launched Decoys with a range of up to 300 km. This development is a promising step towards enhancing India's air defence capabilities.The Way Forward
The war in Ukraine serves as a stark reminder of the importance of air defence preparedness. By investing in decoy technology, India can significantly bolster its air defence capabilities. This includes:- Prioritizing the development and deployment of sophisticated decoys: India must focus on developing longer-range decoys with advanced capabilities to match the evolving threats in modern warfare.
- Collaborating with the domestic defence industry: The government should support and encourage private companies like JSR Dynamics Ltd to further develop and refine decoy technology.
- Integrating decoys into air defence strategy: Decoys should be incorporated into existing air defence tactics and strategies to maximize their effectiveness.
