IAF Begins Process To Induct DRDO-Developed Chaff Technology To Protect Its Fighter Jets From Hostile Radar Threats

The Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) has developed an Advanced Chaff Technology to safeguard fighter aircraft of the Indian Air Force (IAF) against hostile radar threats.

DRDO's Defence Laboratory in Rajasthan's Jodhpur developed the advanced chaff material and chaff cartridge-118/I in collaboration with Pune-based High Energy Materials Research Laboratory (HEMRL), another DRDO lab, meeting qualitative requirements of IAF.

The Indian Air Force has started the process of induction of this technology after completion of successful user trials.

"In today’s electronic warfare, survivability of fighter aircraft is of prime concern because of advancement in modern radar threats. To ensure survivability of aircraft, Counter Measure Dispensing System (CMDS) is used which provides passive jamming against Infra-Red and radar threats. Chaff is a critical defence technology used to protect fighter aircraft from hostile radar threats," the Mininstry of Defence said in a statement on Thursday (19 August).

According to the ministry, the importance of this technology lies in the fact that very less quantity of chaff material deployed in the air acts as decoy to deflect enemy’s missiles for ensuring safety of the fighter aircraft.

The technology has been given to the industry for production in large quantities to meet the annual rolling requirement of the Indian Air Force.

Defence Minister Rajnath Singh has lauded DRDO, IAF and the industry for indigenous development of this critical technology, terming it as one more step towards ‘AatmaNirbhar Bharat’ in strategic defence technologies, the ministry said.