In a strategic move inspired by ancient wisdom, India's defence establishment has taken a significant leap in modern warfare deception. Drawing from Sun Tzu's principle that "all warfare is based on deception," the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) has equipped the Indian Army with two critical indigenous technologies designed to shield soldiers and equipment from enemy detection.
Advanced Tools for Modern Battlefield Survival
This development gains urgency following the Pakistan conflict in May, where enemy forces targeted Indian military assets, including the potent Russia-imported S400 Triumf missile system, using missiles and drones. In direct response, DRDO's Defence Laboratory, Jodhpur (DLJ), formally transferred the Camouflage Pattern Generation Software Sigma 4.0 (CPGSS4.0) and a full-scale Multispectral Signature Tank Mock-up to the Indian Army's Corps of Military Engineering (CME) in Pune in the first week of December.
The official handover ceremony took place on December 3, where Lt Gen A K Ramesh, SM, Comdt CME launched the software in the presence of V S Shenoi, Director, DLJ. DRDO announced on social media platform X that the CPGSS4.0 will be available for use by all three armed services.
What These Technologies Do
The CPGS 4.0 is a sophisticated software tool engineered to design highly effective, multi-spectral camouflage patterns for military hardware. It enables equipment and personnel to blend seamlessly into diverse terrains by countering detection across multiple spectrums:
- Visible Light
- Infrared (IR) Sensors
- Radar Systems
This capability marks a substantial upgrade in battlefield deception and survival training for the Army.
Complementing the software is the Multispectral Signature Tank Mock-up. This is not a simple visual replica. It is a full-scale, realistic decoy of a battle tank designed to mimic the tank's physical and electromagnetic signature. It replicates key properties like heat emission and radar reflection across various sensor bands, providing troops with a realistic platform to test and train with advanced camouflage materials against modern threats.
Tackling the Challenges of Advanced Surveillance
The integration of this advanced software with a tangible, training-ready mock-up is a direct counter to the challenges posed by rapidly evolving detection systems. Traditional camouflage measures have become less effective against today's sophisticated surveillance technology.
These new systems are specifically designed to tackle threats from:
- Thermal Imaging and Infrared Detection
- UAV (Drone) Reconnaissance
- Advanced Radar Technologies
By developing robust multispectral deception capabilities, the Indian Army significantly enhances its operational survivability. Soldiers can now train to conceal assets more effectively, turning the element of surprise back in their favour on the modern, sensor-saturated battlefield.
This transfer of cutting-edge, homegrown technology from DRDO's labs to the Army's field units underscores a focused effort to build self-reliance and address immediate tactical needs, ensuring that India's defence forces are prepared to meet and overcome contemporary threats with innovation and skill.
