India's first indigenously developed stealth technology, created by scientists at IIT-Kanpur, represents a major leap forward in defense technology. Experts assert that it will significantly enhance the operational capabilities of India’s armed forces, strengthening their strategic edge and national security.
Unveiled in November, the Anālakṣhya Metamaterial Surface Cloaking System is a textile-based broadband metamaterial microwave absorber. It delivers nearly perfect wave absorption over a wide range of frequencies, greatly improving stealth capabilities against Synthetic Aperture Radar (SAR) systems.
How India’s 1st stealth technology created at IIT-Kanpur promises big boost to defence capabilities | MSN
In essence, this breakthrough offers a camouflage technology designed to help defense forces evade satellite detection and shield against radar-guided missiles. Once commercially viable, it holds potential for applications beyond the military.
What it is
Air Vice Marshal Praveen Bhatt, the Managing Director and CEO of Meta Tattva Systems Pvt Ltd, the industry partner for this project, explained that the Anālakṣhya Metamaterial Surface Cloaking System is an advanced, multi-spectral camouflage solution, effective across visual, near-infrared, thermal infrared (IR), and radiofrequency spectrums.
A metamaterial utilizes tiny structures to generate resonances and interact intensively with radiation.
“This technology uses such properties to create strong absorption over broadbands of frequencies. The biggest challenge was to create the absorption in thin layers compared to the wavelength to ensure microwave stealth,” Bhatt said.
He mentioned that the integration of emissivity control structures and paints achieves the desired performance against thermal infrared imaging.
Experts stated that this technology, which will eventually be adapted into various end-use products such as cloaks, asset covers, and clothing, will significantly enhance the capabilities of the Indian defense services.
Lieutenant General Cherish Mathson (retd), former General Officer Commanding-in-Chief, noted that the primary threat to military operations is the SAR. He added that advancements in stealth technology, like the recent breakthrough from IIT-Kanpur, could greatly benefit defense applications.
“When we realised in 2019 that the biggest threat to military movements is SAR, it was unbeknownst to us that the teams at IIT-K had already developed this ground-breaking invention,” Mathson said.
However, the technology also shows potential for non-military uses.
According to Bhatt, this technology will be valuable in situations where protection against microwave radiation is needed, along with effective shielding from electromagnetic interference (EMI) and improved electromagnetic compatibility (EMC).
Some potential applications of this technology include wearable medical devices to improve signal accuracy by blocking external electromagnetic noise; enhancing worker safety by developing protective cloaks for those working on mobile phone towers and masts, shielding them from prolonged exposure to microwave radiation; and providing radiofrequency (RF) shielding in test labs to protect sensitive equipment during calibration.
Indian-Made Stealth Technology
IIT-Kanpur has pioneered the use of metamaterials for camouflaging purposes, although research into this technology has been ongoing in several countries.
Despite early efforts in the field of metamaterials, scientists assert that even advanced nations have had limited success in addressing the SAR challenge posed by military satellites using RF-wide bands.
Researchers from IIT-Kanpur have stated that Anālakṣhya provides nearly flawless wave absorption across a wide spectrum, greatly improving the ability to counter SAR imaging. Additionally, it offers protection against missiles that rely on radar guidance.
“Tailored for modern warfare, this cutting-edge innovation strengthens operational capabilities, providing India’s armed forces with advanced tools to maintain strategic superiority and ensure national security,” a senior scientist at IIT-Kanpur said, requesting anonymity.
IIT-Kanpur stated that the design is customized to meet "operational requirements, positioning it as a vital asset in contemporary warfare and surveillance."
“The technology underwent extensive laboratory and field testing between 2019 and 2024, proving its efficacy across diverse conditions,” the institute said in the statement.
Impact of SAR on Military Operations
SAR satellites are formidable military tools used to identify enemy positions and develop engagement strategies. These satellites are engineered to penetrate challenging conditions such as thick clouds and darkness, delivering clear images of military targets anywhere in the world.
According to NASA documents, unlike optical imagery, which relies on passive data collection from emitted energy, SAR imagery is generated by the interaction of emitted energy pulses with physical elements like mountains, forests, sea ice, and environmental factors such as soil moisture.
SAR technology is widely utilized for studying Antarctic icebergs, monitoring oil spills, and mapping wetlands. However, as its use becomes more widespread, it is increasingly complicating the ability of armed forces to conceal assets and evade detection of military movements.
Bhatt noted that India’s innovation comes at a time when the significance of SAR-based ISR (intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance) systems is clearly demonstrated in global conflicts.
“For instance, in the Ukraine-Russia war, despite being an inferior force, Ukraine has effectively leveraged SAR-based intelligence from the western systems to target and disrupt Russian operations. This has underscored the immense power of ISR and the urgent need for effective countermeasures,” he said.
Comments