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The Indian Air Force is set to integrate Rafale’s advanced This is a major improvement, making the Tejas MkII the first indigenous Indian aircraft equipped with this Israeli system, enhancing survivability in contested airspace.

The Integrated with the fighter’s electronic warfare suite, it actively deceives sophisticated radar (including monopulse and LORO types) and radar-guided missiles by sending high-power signals that mimic the jet’s signature. Unlike passive jammers, it defeats threats dynamically, deploys/retracts during flight, and stores in a pod after the mission. Rafael describes it as providing “high-value active protection” for frontline fighter jets.

The system proved effective on Indian Rafale jets during Operation Sindoor (May 2025), a short-lived conflict between India and Pakistan following terror attacks. Rafale deploys X-GUARD to deceive Pakistani radars and missiles; According to reports, Pakistan targeted the decoys, mistook them for aircraft and claimed to have shot down aircraft which never happened. Former US F-15/F-16 pilot Ryan Bodenheimer described it as “the best spoofing and deception” ever seen, making it possible to attack terrorist targets while avoiding security.

For the Tejas MkII – a 4.5-generation multirole fighter with canards, advanced AESA radar, GE F414 engines and extended armament – ​​this addition brings it at par with defense standards of Western platforms. It strengthens roles in air supremacy, deep strikes and SEAD missions by prioritizing electronic warfare as a core capability.

idrw.org and Zee News reports (February 2026) highlight the IAF’s focus on layered self-protection amid emerging threats, underscoring indigenous progress in advanced EW integration.