Evolution of Deception Techniques in Modern Warfare

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• Deception techniques in warfare are in the news as India and other nations increasingly deploy AI-enabled aerial, land, and naval decoys to counter modern precision weapons.

Introduction

• Warfare has always relied on deception, but in the 21st century, these techniques have evolved into highly sophisticated systems that integrate technology, artificial intelligence, and multi-domain capabilities. 
• As modern combat platforms become more advanced and lethal, adversaries are deploying deception as a cost-effective yet powerful countermeasure. 
• Today, decoys are no longer limited to simple tricks but are advanced systems designed to mislead enemy radars, sensors, and weapons, turning confusion into a strategic asset.

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Evolution of Deception in Warfare

• Historically, deception ranged from camouflage to battlefield trickery, but in the digital age, it has transformed into technologically enabled countermeasures. 
• Modern decoys replicate radar, thermal, and acoustic signatures of real targets, forcing adversaries to waste expensive munitions while buying time for actual platforms to retaliate or evade. 
• These innovations have made deception a strategic pillar of modern military doctrine.

India’s Use of AI-Enabled Decoys

• During Operation Sindoor, the Indian Air Force reportedly deployed the X-Guard Fibre-Optic Towed Decoy (FOTD) system developed by Israel. 
• These AI-enabled decoys trailed behind Rafale fighter jets, mimicking their radar cross-section, velocity, and spectral signature. 
• Reports suggest that Pakistan Air Force missiles locked onto these decoys instead of real aircraft, saving Indian platforms and misleading enemy pilots. 
• Analysts called this “one of the best instances of spoofing and deception ever seen,” highlighting the operational value of advanced decoys.

Functioning of the X-Guard System

• The X-Guard decoy, weighing only 30 kg, integrates seamlessly with the Rafale’s SPECTRA electronic warfare suite. 
• While SPECTRA detects and blocks threats, the X-Guard provides a trailing expendable shield, emitting jamming signals across multiple radar bands. Together, they form a multi-layered defensive system. 
• Comparable systems globally include Leonardo’s BriteCloud, the AN/ALE-50/55 series by Raytheon/BAE Systems, and decoys integrated into platforms like the Eurofighter Typhoon and Gripen-E.

Land-Based Deception Techniques

• On land, armies employ inflatable, radar-reflective, and heat-emitting decoys simulating tanks, artillery, and missile systems. 
• These techniques have proven effective in conflicts from the 1991 Gulf War to the ongoing Russia-Ukraine war. 
• Russia uses Inflatech decoys to simulate large armoured formations, while Ukraine relies on wooden and 3D-printed models to exhaust Russian drone and missile supplies. 
• India, too, is investing in such technology. In April 2025, the Indian Army sought decoys for its T-90 tanks to replicate thermal and acoustic signatures, protecting assets from drone and loitering munition attacks.

Naval Counter-Deception Systems

• Navies worldwide deploy layered countermeasures such as floating chaff, acoustic jammers, and advanced offboard systems. 
• A notable example is the Nulka active missile decoy, jointly developed by the U.S. and Australia, which mimics the radar signature of large warships to lure enemy missiles away. 
• India’s Kalvari-class submarines are also equipped with modern torpedo decoy systems, underlining the increasing role of deception in maritime defence.

Strategic Importance of Deception

• Deception technologies offer high-impact protection at relatively low costs, making them indispensable in modern military strategies. 
• By diverting enemy fire, they not only preserve expensive assets but also erode adversary confidence. 
• For countries like India, deploying such technologies enhances deterrence against technologically superior adversaries and ensures survivability in contested environments.

Source: TH