In early October, India is set to launch ‘Cold Start,’ a large-scale joint military exercise focusing on drone and counter-drone technologies in the Central Sector. This exercise is poised to be the most significant drill of its kind since ‘Operation Sindoor,’ meticulously designed to evaluate and enhance India’s current air defense capabilities against modern aerial threats.
A senior official confirmed that ‘Cold Start’ will primarily assess operational readiness and identify any existing vulnerabilities in India’s defensive systems.
During a conference on “Counter UAVs & Air Defence Systems – The Future of Modern Warfare,” organized by the PHD Chamber of Commerce and Industry (PHDCCI) in Delhi, Air Marshal Ashutosh Dixit, Chief of Integrated Defence Staff, highlighted the evolving threat landscape. He emphasized the need for India to maintain a strategic advantage, noting that while previous systems performed effectively during Operation Sindoor, adversaries are constantly adapting. “They too are working to become like India, so we must always stay a step ahead,” Dixit asserted, stressing the importance of continuous improvement.
Rakesh Sinha, Deputy Chief of the Integrated Defence Staff (Operations) and Guest of Honor, echoed this sentiment, stating that the future of warfare hinges on the dynamic interplay between drone technology and defensive countermeasures. He underscored that nations investing proactively in advanced counter-drone systems will secure a significant strategic edge.
Sinha further elaborated that effective counter-drone technologies must possess precise detection and identification capabilities, even within complex electromagnetic environments. He emphasized that engagement strategies should be proportional to avoid collateral damage and that seamless integration with existing air defense assets, alongside the innovative use of AI for rapid classification and response, are critical for developing scalable and deployable solutions.