Significant vulnerabilities in India’s electronic warfare capabilities
Mohammad Asif Khan
Electronic warfare (EW) is an essential part of warfighting. Cognisant of this, India has been making efforts to plug its gaps in advanced EW systems. Electronic warfare uses the electromagnetic spectrum to intercept, jam, or disrupt enemy communications, radar systems and other electronic systems while protecting one’s own. It is divided into three main components: electronic attack (EA), which disrupts enemy operations through jamming and deception; electronic protection (EP), which protects friendly systems from enemy EW activities; and electronic support (ES), which involves gathering intelligence through electronic means. While these components are fundamental to modern warfare, India’s application and integration of these systems reveal both strengths and significant weaknesses.
The Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) has recently developed two EW systems: Samyukta and Divya Drishti. Samyukta is a versatile EW system designed to operate in various terrains. It provides electronic intelligence (ELINT) and electronic countermeasures (ECM) capable of intercepting and jamming enemy communications and radar signals. The development of the Samyukta electronic warfare system was a collaborative effort led by the Defence Electronics Research Laboratory, Bharat Electronics Limited, Electronics Corporation of India Limited, and the Corps of Signals of the Indian Army. Private companies like Data Patterns India Ltd (Chennai), CMC and Tata Power Company Limited (Strategic Electronics Division) played significant roles. Approximately 40 companies contributed by manufacturing various components domestically. In an interview conducted by KVS Hari for the IEEE History Center on 7 January 2022, Vasudev Kalkunte Aatre discussed the challenges faced due to US sanctions following India’s 1998 nuclear tests. He stated, "One of the main challenges was overcoming the sanctions imposed by the United States after India’s 1998 nuclear tests, which restricted the import of advanced electronic components.”
Divya Drishti is an advanced electronic support system for real-time interception and analysis of radar emissions. It enhances situational awareness and threat detection. During recent border skirmishes, Divya Drishti monitored enemy radar activities, providing real-time data to Indian commanders. However, its effectiveness has been limited by issues related to data integration and interpretation. There have been instances where the system failed to provide timely and actionable intelligence, leading to missed opportunities and strategic setbacks.
The Indian Army has integrated EW units at both tactical and operational levels. In border areas, Samyukta systems have been deployed to counter threats from neighbouring adversaries. While these systems have been effective in some scenarios, such as intercepting and jamming communications used by insurgent groups in Jammu and Kashmir, their overall impact has been inconsistent. The insurgents have adapted to these countermeasures by shifting to alternative communication methods, highlighting the need for continuous upgrades and adaptability in EW systems.
The Indian Navy has equipped its warships with EW systems such as Ajanta and Ellora, which provide electronic surveillance and attack capabilities essential for maritime dominance. These systems monitor and intercept enemy electronic signals while jamming and deceiving enemy radar and communication systems. However, during naval exercises in the Indian Ocean, compatibility issues with allied EW systems and susceptibility to advanced countermeasures highlighted the need for better interoperability and improved capabilities.
During the Malabar 2023 joint exercise in the Indian Ocean, the emphasis was on enhancing interoperability among allied EW systems (electronic warfare systems used by the military forces of allied nations). This highlighted the ongoing need for better interoperability standards. Furthermore, there is a recognised need for improvements in the systems' range and resilience against electronic countermeasures.
The Indian Air Force employs EW pods on fighter jets, such as the SIVA pod for Suppression of Enemy Air Defences (SEAD) missions. The SIVA pod disrupts enemy radar and uses electronic deception to protect aircraft during missions.
In counter-terrorism operations, portable EW systems have been deployed to disrupt terrorist communications and remote detonation devices. In Jammu and Kashmir, these systems have blocked radio frequencies used for improvised explosive device (IED) triggers, preventing potential attacks and ensuring the safety of military and civilian personnel. Nevertheless, the insurgents’ ability to adapt quickly and use alternative communication methods underscores the need for continuous improvement and innovation in EW technologies.
India has collaborated with countries including the US and Israel in joint military exercises like Exercise Blue Flag and Exercise Cope India, focusing on the interoperability of EW systems. During the Malabar naval exercises, Indian EW systems were integrated with those of US and Japanese forces, enhancing interoperability and demonstrating combined electronic warfare capabilities. Despite these exercises’ successes, the need for improved interoperability and real-time data sharing remains a critical challenge.
Ongoing projects by DRDO and private sector collaborations aim to develop next-generation EW systems with integrated artificial intelligence (AI) and machine learning for adaptive threat responses. However, several challenges remain: technical and operational issues such as spectrum management, EW countermeasures and the need for continuous training and adaptation to evolving threats pose significant hurdles. The rapid pace of technological advancement requires constant updates and modifications to existing systems to maintain their effectiveness. Ensuring that Indian EW systems can seamlessly integrate with those of allied forces is crucial for effective joint operations. This requires developing standardised communication protocols and systems that can work across different platforms and environments. The convergence of cyber warfare and electronic warfare is being explored to counter sophisticated threats in the digital domain. However, this integration poses significant technical challenges and requires robust cybersecurity measures to protect EW systems from cyberattacks.
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