India is stepping up its air defence game. The Indian Air Force (IAF) wants faster delivery of a top-end missile protection system from Israel. This system, called X-Guard, will be used on Rafale jets to protect them during dangerous missions.
What is the X-Guard system?
The X-Guard is a fibre-optic towed decoy. It’s made by Israeli defence firm Rafael. This small but powerful tool tricks enemy missiles. It works by copying the radar signature of the jet and pulling missiles away from the real aircraft.
It stays in a pod and is attached to the jet with a fibre cable. During flight, the pilot can release the decoy. It moves behind the plane and attracts incoming missiles. After the mission, it can be pulled back and used again.
Why India Wants It Now
India already placed an order for this system to make Rafales even stronger. It was tested and integrated successfully. But because of supply chain issues and tensions in West Asia, deliveries are slower than expected.
Now, India is pushing Rafael to speed things up. With rising threats in the region, the IAF wants to be ready for any challenge. Rafales are key to India’s air power, and this upgrade will make them even harder to shoot down.
Rafale’s Role in Recent Operations
India’s Rafale jets are not just fancy planes. They’ve already seen action. During Operation Sindoor, Rafales carried out precision strikes deep inside enemy land. They hit terror bases in Bahawalpur and Muridke. They also took out key Pakistani military targets.
The jets used the deadly SCALP long-range cruise missile. These missiles hit high-value enemy locations like airbase hangars and command units.
The Rafales used by India are not standard ones. They have been upgraded with helmet-mounted displays, IR search-and-track systems, and are ready for high-altitude operations.
A Proud Partnership
The X-Guard is already trusted by the Israeli Air Force. Now, with India joining the list, it shows strong ties between the two nations. This tech upgrade will increase the Rafale’s survival in contested skies.
This move shows India’s focus on modern warfare and self-protection. In a region full of risks, India wants its best jets to be the safest too.
The IAF is not waiting. It wants this decoy system in the air—now. And with the X-Guard soon flying behind the Rafales, India’s skies just got a lot more secure.
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