India Launches Exercise Cold Start: Largest Drone and Counter-Drone Drill
India’s biggest drone and counter-drone warfare exercise, Exercise Cold Start, commenced in Madhya Pradesh on October 7 and will continue until October 10. The drill involves all three services—the Army, Navy, and Air Force—and is being monitored by the Integrated Defence Staff under the Chief of Defence Staff, General Anil Chauhan.
The exercise aims to assess operational readiness, integrate drone and counter-drone capabilities, and identify shortcomings in India’s air defence systems. Officials highlighted that drone warfare is evolving rapidly, and nations investing in counter-drone technology will gain a strategic advantage.
Drone operations played a key role in Operation Sindoor between India and Pakistan from May 6 to May 10, 2025. During the operation, Indian drones, both indigenous and imported, inflicted significant damage on Pakistani military and terrorist targets, while Pakistani drones, including Turkish and Chinese models, were successfully neutralised.
Exercise Cold Start builds on lessons from Operation Sindoor and is designed to prepare Indian forces for integrated responses to aerial threats in future conflicts. The drill demonstrates India’s commitment to maintaining strategic edge in drone and counter-drone warfare.
