The Indian Air Force (IAF) is making great strides to improve its electronic warfare (EW) and intelligence-gathering capabilities, particularly near its sensitive borders with China and Pakistan. The IAF has prioritised the acquisition of three advanced Signal Intelligence (SIGINT) and Communication Jamming (COMJAM) aircraft as part of its modernisation roadmap for the financial year 2025-26. This step is key to a comprehensive strategy to ensure the security of India’s northern and western frontiers and to bolster its aerial dominance in the face of evolving threats.
SIGINT (Signals Intelligence) and COMJAM (Communications Jamming) aircraft are specialised platforms for electronic warfare and intelligence gathering. Their primary responsibility is to passively intercept and analyse hostile radar, radio, and communication signals (SIGINT), thereby delivering real-time intelligence on the capabilities, locations, and activities of their adversaries. These aircraft are also equipped with active jamming systems (COMJAM) that can disrupt or neutralise hostile communications and radar networks, thereby degrading the adversary’s command, control, and situational awareness during conflicts. Modern SIGINT/COMJAM aircraft are essential assets for electronic dominance and surveillance along contested borders, as they are equipped with sophisticated sensors, artificial intelligence for emitter tracking, and robust self-defence systems.
China maintains a fleet of sophisticated electronic intelligence and interference aircraft, including the Y-8GX series, which are frequently deployed for electronic warfare and surveillance missions. Pakistan maintains SIGINT and COMJAM assets, such as modified aircraft and ground-based systems, to monitor and mitigate regional threats, despite its less advanced status
Pakistan and China both possess comparable capabilities. China maintains a fleet of sophisticated electronic intelligence and interference aircraft, including the Y-8GX series that are frequently deployed for electronic warfare and surveillance missions in the region. Pakistan maintains SIGINT and COMJAM assets, such as modified aircraft and ground-based systems, to monitor and mitigate regional threats, despite its less advanced status. The strategic significance of electronic warfare in South Asia is emphasised by the presence of these platforms in both countries, which is fueling India’s efforts to modernise its fleet to preserve a technological advantage.
Some of the most famous SIGINT (Signals Intelligence) and COMJAM (Communications Jamming) aircraft globally are recognised for their advanced electronic warfare, surveillance, and jamming capabilities. One notable example is the RC-135V/W Rivet Joint of the United States Air Force, which is renowned for its capacity to intercept, analyse, and geo-locate electronic emissions across extensive regions. Although the Boeing E-3 Sentry AWACS is predominantly an airborne warning and control system, it also includes substantial SIGINT and jamming capabilities. The operational effectiveness and export success of Israel’s Gulfstream G550 CAEW and ELINT variants, which are equipped with ELTA’s advanced sensor suites, are highly regarded. Russia’s Il-20M and China’s Y-8GX series (which includes the Y-8G and Y-9JB) are also prominent in this category, providing both nations with comprehensive electronic intelligence and jamming capabilities.
The Centre for Airborne Systems in DRDO is spearheading the development of Signals and Communications Aircraft, leveraging its expertise in electronic force multiplier systems and airborne surveillance for the Indian military. This initiative emphasises India’s long-standing dedication to developing indigenous capabilities and pursuing international partnerships for advanced technologies
The Indian Effort
Pre-owned Airbus A321 airframes will serve as the platform for India’s new Signals and Communications Aircraft (SCA). This decision integrates state-of-the-art EW systems while using a dependable, cost-effective platform. The Centre for Airborne Systems (CABS) of the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) is spearheading the development of these aircraft, leveraging its expertise in electronic force multiplier systems and airborne surveillance for the Indian armed forces. This initiative emphasises India’s long-standing dedication to developing indigenous capabilities and pursuing international partnerships for advanced technologies.
The SCA is engineered to fulfil various missions, including the ability to stay airborne for up to six hours and conduct long-duration flights at altitudes of up to 35,000 feet. The aircraft’s endurance enables it to remain in critical areas, thereby providing electronic coverage and persistent surveillance along the Line of Actual Control (LAC) with China and the Line of Control (LoC) with Pakistan. The aircraft will be equipped with a sophisticated array of ELINT (Electronic Intelligence) and COMINT (Communications Intelligence) sensors, which will allow it to conduct high-speed scans across a broad frequency range. These sensors are intended to identify radiofrequency (RF) emissions emanating from hostile radars, communication networks, and command-and-control systems.
The SCA’s incorporation of artificial intelligence (AI) for advanced signal analysis is noteworthy. The AI algorithms will greatly enhance how quickly and accurately intelligence is gathered by helping to analyse where signals are coming from and pinpointing their exact location. Once a threat is identified, the SCA can seamlessly transition to its COMJAM role, which involves the use of RF jamming to disrupt adversary radar operations and communications. This process is adaptive and automated, thereby guaranteeing a prompt response to the changing hazards on the battlefield.
The SCA will be completely integrated with the IAF’s Integrated Air Command and Control System (IACCS), enabling real-time data sharing with ground stations and other assets. This connection is maintained through both Line-of-Sight (LOS) and Satellite Communication (SATCOM) data links, ensuring that missions can continue even in challenging or denied areas. The aircraft will have strong self-defence tools, like radar warning receivers (RWR), electronic support measures (ESM), missile approach warning systems (MAWS), and systems to release chaff and flares to protect against incoming threats because it will be close to enemy airspace.
At present, the IAF is dependent on a limited number of antiquated platforms for SIGINT and COMJAM missions, including modified Boeing 707s and Gulfstream G100s that are operated by the Aviation Research Centre (ARC). The endurance, altitude, and sensor sophistication of the forthcoming SCA fleet are not present in these older systems. The introduction of three new SCA aircraft is a significant technological advancement that bridges a critical capability gap with an indigenous, modern solution that is specifically designed to meet the operational requirements of India.
Once a threat is identified, the Signals and Communications Aircraft can seamlessly transition to its COMJAM role, which involves using RF jamming to disrupt the adversary’s radar operations and communications. This process is adaptive and automated, guaranteeing a prompt response to the changing hazards on the battlefield
India’s pursuit of sophisticated airborne SIGINT/COMJAM capabilities has piqued the interest of prominent international defence firms, including Thales (France) and L3Harris (USA), both of which have successful technologies in this field. Nevertheless, India is also prioritising indigenous development, with Bharat Electronics Limited (BEL) vying for the supply of critical subsystems. This balanced approach is designed to fortify the domestic defence industry and support the government’s ‘Make in India’ initiative by integrating self-reliance with access to state-of-the-art global technology.
The Indian government has executed substantial contracts for electronic warfare suites for other platforms, including the Mi-17 V5 helicopters, concurrently with the SCA programme. These EW suites, created by BEL, are meant to make the Indian Air Force more effective and safer by finding, blocking, and interfering with enemy use of the electromagnetic spectrum across different platforms.
Conclusion
In summary, the IAF’s prioritisation of the SIGINT and COMJAM aircraft programmes is a critical development in the enhancement of India’s electronic warfare and intelligence capabilities. The SCA will give the IAF a strong tool for controlling electronic signals, understanding the situation, and monitoring in a region where competition is growing by adding advanced sensors, AI-based analysis, and strong self-defence systems to a reliable aircraft design. This initiative not only addresses immediate security requirements but also establishes the foundation for long-term technological self-reliance and operational superiority.
The writer is the Publisher of Frontier India and the author of the book Foxtrot to Arihant: The Story of Indian Navy’s Submarine Arm.
