How India’s New Cloaking System 'Anālakṣhya' to Change Modern Warfare

India's indigenous Anālakṣhya stealth cloaking technology is set to redefine military strategy and boost effectiveness in battle.

Developed by IIT Kanpur, Anālakṣhya is expected to transform military tactics with a Metamaterial Surface Cloaking System (MSCS) that absorbs and deflects radar waves, making equipment like drones, aircraft and missiles nearly invisible to radar systems.

As battlefield visibility and advanced surveillance continue to transform modern warfare, the military advancement offers significant benefits in evading radar-guided missiles and improving survivability.

Strategic Advantage in Modern Warfare

Retired Air Marshal Anil Khosla, former Vice Chief of the Air Staff during the Balakot mission, told Sputnik India that the core of the technology lies in its ability to reduce the radar cross-section of objects — which improves the chances of evading radar-based detection and missile targeting.

“This advanced technology uses engineered materials to absorb and deflect radar waves, making military assets such as drones, aircraft and missiles nearly undetectable,” Khosla said. “By reducing radar cross-sections, Anālakṣhya enhances stealth capabilities which is crucial for evading radar-based targeting and improving survivability in hostile environments.”

Retired Major General Shashi Bhushan Asthana stressed the significance of the technology in reducing visibility on the battlefield — one of the primary risks in modern warfare.

“Anālakṣhya enhances camouflage, reducing the enemy's ability to detect our equipment, thereby increasing the survivability of our military assets and improving the effectiveness of our offensive capabilities across air, naval and ground forces,” Asthana told Sputnik India. “This technology provides a dual advantage in both offensive and defensive capabilities.”

Enhancing Military Tactics and Operational Planning

Anālakṣhya is poised to redefine military tactics and operational planning, as it will offer greater flexibility in executing covert missions, surprise manoeuvres and better defensive postures in conflict zones.

“This cloaking technology will provide stealth protection for high-value assets like fighter jets, naval ships and military installations,” Khosla said. “It will also support asymmetric warfare by making Indian forces less detectable, thus enhancing strategic deterrence and operational flexibility.”

India's Position in the Global Defense Landscape

The development of Anālakṣhya has positioned India as an emerging defense innovator and manufacturer.

Khosla pointed out that Anālakṣhya's integration with AI and autonomous systems highlights India's growing role in cutting-edge military research and the doctrine of Atmanirbhar Bharat (self-reliant India) in defence technologies.

“Its deployment signals India's shift towards next-generation military capabilities, aligning with global leaders in defence innovation like the US, China and Russia,” Khosla said. “This enhances India’s strategic deterrence, boosts its Indigenous defence manufacturing capacity and strengthens its standing in defence exports and partnerships.”

Asthana added that unlike many nations that rely on technology transfers from foreign powers, India’s defence innovation places it in a favourable position to negotiate and secure advanced technologies.

“By developing indigenous technologies, we not only strengthen our capabilities but also improve our negotiating position for acquiring technologies we lack,” Asthana said.

When asked will Anālakṣhya be a game changer for India in modern warfare, Asthana said that its true potential and impact will only be realised once it is integrated into aircraft, missiles, naval ships and ground-based assets.

Explainers

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9 February, 20:33

How India's 'Anālakṣhya' Cloaking Technology Could Transform the Battlefield

Strategic Advantage in Modern Warfare

Enhancing Military Tactics and Operational Planning

India's Position in the Global Defense Landscape