India seeks faster delivery of Israeli decoy system to boost Rafale defence capabilities: Report

Used extensively by the Israeli Air Force, the X Guard is a reusable decoy system that is integrated with the electronic warfare suite of fighter jets.

India is pushing for faster deliveries of a high-end decoy system that would enhance the survivability of its Rafale fighter jets in contested airspace, The Economic Times reported.

The system in question, the X-Guard fibre-optic towed decoy, is manufactured by Israeli defence firm Rafael and is designed to protect fighter aircraft from incoming missiles by mimicking their radar signature. The Indian Air Force (IAF) had ordered the system as part of its efforts to upgrade the self-defence capabilities of the Rafale fleet.

The X-Guard system has already been integrated and tested on Rafale jets, as per the report. However, delivery schedules have been impacted by ongoing supply chain constraints and the geopolitical instability in West Asia.

The reusable decoy is widely used by the Israeli Air Force and is deployed during high-risk missions. Housed in a pod and attached to the aircraft via a fibre-optic cable, the decoy is released mid-flight and towed behind the jet.

It draws enemy air-to-air and surface-to-air missiles away from the actual aircraft by presenting a convincing radar signature. The system can be retracted during flight and stowed after the mission.

The Indian Rafales, which featured prominently during Operation Sindoor, have several custom enhancements, including a helmet-mounted display, an infrared search-and-track sensor, and modifications to enable operation from high-altitude airfields.

During the operation, Rafale jets carried out precision strikes on terror hubs in Bahawalpur and Muridke, and were also used to hit Pakistani military targets in retaliatory missile strikes, ET reported.

The SCALP long-range cruise missile, fired from Rafales during the operation, reportedly achieved precision hits on high-value targets, including airbase hangars, UAV storage units, and command centres in Pakistan.