Why in news?
India announced that it will conduct its largest tri‑service drone and counter‑drone exercise, codenamed “Cold Start,” in the first week of October 2025. The drill comes months after the country faced aerial incursions by unmanned systems from across the border.
Context and objectives
Originally a doctrine for rapid mobilisation against adversaries, “Cold Start” has evolved into a concept for integrated operations involving the Army, Navy and Air Force. The upcoming exercise will focus on deploying swarms of indigenous drones for surveillance, strikes and logistics. It will also test electronic warfare systems to jam GPS signals and neutralise hostile drones. Officials say the exercise will simulate realistic battlefield scenarios and help develop a home‑grown air defence system, dubbed the “Sudarshan Chakra,” to counter drones and missiles.
Significance
- Capability assessment: Practising drone swarms and anti‑drone measures will reveal gaps in technology and training.
- Inter‑service coordination: A joint exercise fosters interoperability and improves command and control across services.
- Deterrence: Demonstrating advanced capabilities sends a signal to potential adversaries about India’s preparedness and technological progress.
- Industrial boost: Testing indigenously developed systems could attract investment and accelerate the defence startup ecosystem.
By focusing on unmanned systems and electronic warfare, Exercise Cold Start reflects the changing nature of warfare and India’s ambition to stay ahead in drone technology.