Modern Warfare Latest News
- 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.
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
Modern Warfare FAQs
Q1: What are deception techniques in modern warfare?
Ans: They are advanced methods using decoys and countermeasures to mislead enemy sensors and weapons.
Q2: How has India used aerial decoys?
Ans: India deployed AI-enabled X-Guard decoys on Rafale jets during Operation Sindoor to spoof enemy radars and missiles.
Q3: What role do land-based decoys play?
Ans: Inflatable and 3D-printed dummies mimic tanks and artillery, drawing enemy fire and depleting munitions.
Q4: How do navies use deception?
Ans: Naval forces employ systems like the Nulka active missile decoy and torpedo countermeasures to protect warships.
Q5: Why are decoys considered a strategic asset?
Ans: They preserve real assets, confuse adversaries, and provide cost-effective defence against precision weapons.
