Indian Military to Test Drones and Air Defence in October’s ‘Cold Start’ Drill
Indian forces to test drones and defences in major October military drill.
The Indian Armed Forces are set to conduct a pivotal exercise, codenamed ‘Cold Start,’ from October 6-10 in Madhya Pradesh to evaluate the capabilities of their drones and counter-drone systems, a senior official from the Headquarters Integrated Defence Staff (HQ IDS) announced on Tuesday. This tri-service initiative, led by HQ IDS, underscores India’s push to bolster its air defence systems amid evolving threats in modern warfare.
Air Marshal Rakesh Sinha, Deputy Chief of Integrated Defence Staff (Operations) at HQ IDS, revealed details of the exercise during a conference in Delhi themed ‘Counter UAVs & Air Defence Systems: The Future of Modern Warfare.’ Speaking to attendees, including senior military officers, defence industry representatives, and domain experts, Sinha emphasized the need to “stay ahead” of adversaries in military strategy and technology, drawing lessons from past operations like Operation Sindoor.
The ‘Cold Start’ exercise, to be held in the Central Sector, will involve all three services—Army, Navy, and Air Force—alongside industry partners, research and development organizations, and academia. “We will be testing some of our drones and counter-drone systems during this exercise... with an aim to have an air defence system and Counter-Unmanned Aerial Systems (Counter-UAS) that is more robust,” Sinha told PTI on the sidelines of the event. The exercise aims to enhance the resilience and effectiveness of India’s air defence capabilities against unmanned aerial threats.
Also Read: India’s Game-Changing Air Defence Triumph: IADWS Test Success Unveiled
This initiative follows the tri-service seminar ‘Ran Samwad’ held on August 27 at the Army War College in Mhow, Madhya Pradesh, where Defence Minister Rajnath Singh highlighted the growing complexity of modern warfare. Addressing military leaders, Singh stressed the importance of mastering technology, strategy, and adaptability to counter new innovations and unforeseen challenges. “Future wars will not merely be battles of weapons; they will be a combined play of technology, intelligence, economy, and diplomacy,” he stated, urging the armed forces to anticipate and shape the future of warfare.
The ‘Cold Start’ exercise marks a critical step in India’s efforts to integrate advanced technologies into its defence framework, ensuring preparedness for the dynamic challenges of modern battlefields. As global warfare increasingly hinges on unmanned systems, India’s focus on robust counter-UAS capabilities signals its ambition to emerge as a formidable global power.
Also Read: Mining Body Warns 30% Iron Ore Export Duty Could Cripple Sector
