Defence lab HEMRL develops infra-red decoy flares

Pune: The Indian Defence and Research Development Organisation's (DRDO) premiere laboratory, the  High Energy Materials Research Laboratory (HEMRL), is developing an indigenous infra-red (IR) decoy flare to protect aircraft from heat-seeking missiles. The system is of critical importance as all aircraft emit infra-red signatures in their exhaust, making them easy targets for heat-seeking missile systems.

Decoy flares are used under attack conditions to confuse missiles and save the aircraft for they emit similar IR radiation as that of an aircraft.

''IR flares have stronger infra-red intensity that induces a missile to follow the flares instead of the aircraft. An aircraft that costs crores can thus be saved by flares costing thousands,'' HEMRL officials said explaining the significance of the flares.

Officials also said that flares imported from other countries were expensive and supplier countries were less likely to share latest developments in defence technology.

They also said all initial trials had been conducted in tandem with the Indian Air Force.

HEMRL officials pointed out that these flares had been developed as per a mandate issued by the Indian Air Force in 2005. The indigenous flares were to substitute imported ones. According to these officials, what has now been developed is superior to flares currently in use.