TL; DR: India will conduct its largest drone and counter-drone exercise, "Cold Start," in October to enhance air defence after recent drone conflicts with Pakistan. The exercise will test indigenous and imported drone systems and support development of the Sudarshan Chakra multi-layered defence system planned for 2035.
India will conduct “Cold Start,” its biggest integrated drone and counter-drone exercise, in early October to test drones, counter-UAS systems, and air defence capabilities following recent drone conflicts with Pakistan.
- The exercise will involve the army, air force, and navy simulating drone warfare tactics, including swarms, kamikaze drones, reconnaissance, and electronic jamming.
- Indigenous drone prototypes from HAL, BEL, Adani Defence, and startups supported by the iDEX programme will be tested alongside imported systems.
- The May 2025 border clashes with Pakistan involved use of armed drones, damaging Indian forward posts; Pakistan has enhanced its drone capabilities, including Chinese imports and AI swarm tactics.
- India aims to develop the Sudarshan Chakra air defence system by 2035, combining drones, aircraft, missile defences, and electronic warfare to counter ballistic, hypersonic, and drone threats.
- Private Indian firms like IdeaForge and Garuda Aerospace will showcase swarming and loitering munition technologies; India is also exploring collaborations with Israel and France on directed-energy counter-drone weapons.
- The exercise reflects rising drone arms competition in South Asia, with concerns about China’s drone program and implications for regional stability.