The Indian Air Force (IAF) plans to procure 300-400 inflatable dummies to enhance its deception tactics amid escalating regional tensions with Pakistan and China. These dummies will mimic the thermal and radar signatures of IAF aircraft and air defense systems, serving as false targets to mislead enemy systems and protect actual assets, thus demonstrating a strategic shift towards cost-effective indigenous solutions. This initiative, part of the broader Make in India campaign, builds on the successful use of similar decoys in Operation Sindoor, reinforcing India’s commitment to modernizing its defense capabilities while addressing emerging threats like drones and precision-guided munitions.