Israel's Groundbreaking 'Pager' Assault Should Act as a Wake-Up Call for Indian Military and Government Leadership

Source : IgMp Bulletin

Image Credit: HW English File Photo

Israel's Groundbreaking 'Pager' Assault Should Act as a Wake-Up Call for Indian Military and Government Leadership

On September 17, Israel executed one of the most creative and unprecedented attacks against Hezbollah, reminiscent of a storyline from a comic book or superhero saga.

This operation also brings to light the fragility of supply chains — encompassing parts, components, subcomponents, systems, and subsystems — related to both dual-use and military equipment, illustrating how they can alter the dynamics of warfare.

At 3:30 PM yesterday, a series of minor explosions reverberated throughout Lebanon. A fresh shipment of pagers ordered by Hezbollah, an Islamic terrorist group, from the Taiwanese firm Gold Apollo detonated, resulting in the deaths of 11 Hezbollah members and injuring 2,700 others.

This incident marks one of the most inventive attacks ever recorded.

A pertinent question arises: why resort to pagers — an outdated technology — instead of employing contemporary communication tools like mobile phones, landlines, or computers?

The answer lies in Israel's formidable technical surveillance capabilities.

Most communications utilizing modern cellular technology are intercepted by Israeli intelligence. Consequently, Hezbollah resorts to using outdated pagers that reduce the likelihood of detection.

These pagers detonated simultaneously at 3:30 PM upon receiving what appeared to be a message from Hezbollah's leadership.

Reports indicate that these devices — predominantly Gold Apollo's AR924 models — were manipulated, with a small quantity of explosives (two to three grams) placed adjacent to the battery compartment before their shipment to Lebanon, where they were then distributed among Hezbollah operatives. A switch capable of remote activation to trigger the explosives was also incorporated.

The message, disguised as originating from Hezbollah leadership, was the signal to set off the explosives.

It is likely that these pagers were modified during the production phase.

This incident serves as a critical lesson for India's national security leadership regarding the protection of supply chains. It underscores the urgent requirement for self-reliance in defense.

Take, for example, the Tejas Mk-1A jet fighter.

It has consistently missed its delivery schedules because the engine, made in America, has yet to be supplied by General Electric (GE). This delay has pushed the jet's delivery from March 2024 to November 2024.

Moreover, a report from The Print released just hours ago (September 18) states that another minor component, an engine charge amplifier, has also been postponed due to Denmark placing it on an export blacklist.

Although this component is small, it plays a crucial role in measuring the temperature of the jet engine, and any further delays in its delivery could lead to additional setbacks.

In response, Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) has engaged a Bengaluru company to develop this component domestically, aiming for a prompt delivery.

A similar issue exists with Indian drone manufacturers that incorporate Chinese components in their unmanned aerial vehicles.

Just last month (August), the government prohibited the use of drones in the armed forces that contain any Chinese-made parts. This ban primarily targets components related to drones' communications, cameras, and software.

However, the situation in Lebanon demonstrates that even seemingly harmless components can jeopardize such equipment.

Thus, self-reliance in defense has become an urgent necessity — not merely as a rhetorical commitment but as a practical imperative. While foreign components may be utilized during the prototype development phase to expedite progress, actual production should prioritize components manufactured in India.