Explained: IAF’s Suppression of Enemy Air Defence Capabilities (SEAD)

Hello Defence lovers! With advancements in fighter jet technology, air defence systems have also evolved drastically. To counter advanced technologies like Stealth, the air defence systems have become smarter and deadlier. In such a scenario, Suppression of Enemy Air Defence (SEAD) capabilities become crucial to achieving air superiority. In this article, we are going to discuss the Indian Airforce’s SEAD capability and compare it to that of our adversaries.

What is SEAD?

As mentioned above, SEAD stands for Suppression of Enemy Air defence. It is generally followed by the Destruction of the Enemy Air defence system (DEAD). In this mission, a fast manoeuvrable fighter fitted with ultra-Hitech jammers enters the enemy airspace, detects the small mobile air defence batteries and destroys them using anti-radiation missiles.

Why SEAD Is Required?

During the Vietnam war, the Soviet-supplied SA-2 surface-to-air missiles were extensively used to shoot down American aircraft ranging from bombers to fighters. So the Americans developed a strategy that we call SEAD today. In this strategy, first, a single aircraft flies into the enemy territory as bait. The mobile surface-to-air missile batteries fire at that bait revealing their location. Then these SAM batteries are neutralized by the following strike package. However, the aircraft that flies as bait has to survive using electronic countermeasures and superb flying skills.

In modern combat scenarios, fixed enemy air defence installations and radar stations can be neutralized by precise missile strikes. However, the mobile air defence units pose a great threat as these can be relocated continuously. Generally to finish off these systems SEAD missions are conducted. There are specially modified aircraft for these roles which are known as “Wild Weasels”. The Wild weasels have powerful jammers and electronic warfare systems which jam the enemy air defense systems’ radars. Then these fire anti-radiation missiles which home into the source of radiowaves emission.

Wild weasels are critical components of any airforce. Without these aircraft, air superiority cannot be achieved. Now let us discuss what we can learn from the recent Russia-Ukraine conflict.

Lessons From Russia Ukraine Conflict

When Russia invaded Ukraine back in February, the initial attack consisted of hundreds of missile strikes which neutralized Ukraine’s critical infrastructure. However as the war dragged on for months, the engagement of the Russian Airforce over Ukrainian airspace is very limited. This is primarily due to ineffective SEAD missions. Without the air supremacy, Russian fighters and helicopters are forced to fly low, making them vulnerable to MANPADS like stingers. Russia is using its air-launched cruise missile from standoff ranges. Thus Russian ground forces are operating without an effective aircover providing close air support making them vulnerable to ambushes quite often.

Indian Airforce’s SEAD Capabilities

Currently, the Indian air force does not operate any dedicated Wild Weasel aircraft. However, the SEAD roles can be performed by omnirole fighters like Rafale very well. Rafales are equipped with defensive jamming suits and one of the most advanced electronic warfare systems in the world – SPECTRA. It is also armed with air-to-ground munitions which can be fired from standoff distances.

IAF operates some dedicated signal intelligence aircraft which can locate the enemy’s radar sites. The Su-30 MKI fleet is also armed with Russian KH-31P anti-radiation missiles which can be used for SEAD roles. However, in case of full-blown conflict, the lack of wild weasels will hamper IAF’s offensive capabilities. The offensive jamming would have to be compensated with the superior flying skills of our pilots.

IAF is very close to developing a dedicated wild weasel. It has Rudram-1 anti-radiation missile in its inventory. Most of the IAF fighter jets can be equipped with Pod-based jammers. DRDO has already developed a self-protection jamming pod which will be integrated with the IAF’s platforms.

The dedicated Wild Weasel version of Su-3o MKI will fill the gap in the SEAD capabilities of the IAF. Su-30 MKI is the Ideal platform for such conversion. It has 12 hardpoints which will enable it to carry multiple jammers and EW pods along with a good number of anti-radiation missiles. A bigger version of Uttam AESA would be required to ensure smooth operation and to avoid interference with its own jammers.

Wild Weasels Around The Globe

The US air force uses the F-16CJ, a wild weasel version of the regular f-16. Similarly, the US Navy uses the EA-18G Growler which is a wild weasel of the regular F/A-18 Super hornet. The European airforces use the Electronic Combat and reconnaissance version (ECR) of the Panavia Tornado.

Thankfully Pakistan does not operate any dedicated wild weasel. However, this is not the case in China. The PLAAF operates dedicated Wild Weasel versions of Shenyang J-16 (J-16D), a cheap copy of the Su-30 MKM. China also operates JH-7 modified as a Wild weasel.

Conclusion

As most of the equipment used by the Indian airforce is still of Russian/Soviet origin, which is not designed for Omni role combat and stand-alone missions like Rafale, at least a squadron of wild weasels for SEAD missions is a crucial requirement. The Rafales fixes the issue up to some extent, but due to their small number, they won’t just be enough for a full-scale two-front war. IAF needs to find a solution like the Chinese J-16D