New Delhi: India is preparing to conduct its biggest and most complex drone warfare exercise in early October, aiming to reinforce its air defense architecture amid rising regional tensions and an evolving threat landscape. The war game, codenamed Cold Start, will showcase advanced drone technology and anti-drone systems in scenarios designed to replicate the challenges India could face in future conflicts.
The exercise comes just weeks after India’s recent four-day confrontation with Pakistan, where unmanned aerial systems were widely deployed. Military planners say the lessons learned from that conflict highlighted vulnerabilities in India’s air defense network and underscored the need for rapid innovation. By staging Cold Start, India intends to test its ability to detect, track, and neutralize hostile drones while integrating drones into its own offensive and defensive operations.
Senior defense officials confirmed that the exercise will involve multiple branches of the armed forces alongside private industry and research institutions. Air Marshal Rakesh Sinha, Deputy Chief of the Integrated Defense Staff, explained that the upcoming drills will bring together counter-UAS systems, surveillance assets, and advanced aircraft in coordinated scenarios. “We must prepare not only for conventional threats but also for unmanned and hypersonic challenges that are changing the battlefield,” he noted.
At the core of India’s long-term strategy is the development of the Sudarshan Chakra air defense system, currently under design and expected to be operational by 2035. Defense planners envision it as a layered defense shield comparable to Israel’s Iron Dome, but tailored to India’s diverse geography and complex security environment. The system will combine traditional missile interceptors, radars, and fighter support with specialized anti-drone measures.
Air Marshal Ashutosh Dixit, Chief of the Integrated Defense Staff, emphasized the importance of this integrated approach. “Air defanse today cannot rely on one single platform. It must bring together sensors, aircraft, missiles, and counter-drone systems in a layered, multi-domain shield,” he said, adding that the Sudarshan Chakra project is central to building that capability.
Beyond military hardware, Cold Start is also intended to foster stronger collaboration between India’s armed forces, its scientific research ecosystem, and the domestic defense industry. This partnership is seen as critical to achieving self-reliance in defense technologies, especially in a domain where foreign solutions may not be fully adaptable to India’s needs.
The upcoming drills are expected to feature both offensive and defensive drone operations, highlighting how unmanned systems are increasingly shaping modern warfare. Analysts believe the exercise will serve as a signal to adversaries that India is prepared to defend its skies with layered resilience, while also projecting confidence in its technological trajectory.
As the October exercise approaches, Cold Start is already being viewed not only as a test of India’s capabilities but also as a turning point in how the nation confronts emerging aerial threats. For India, it is both a demonstration of strength and a step toward securing its airspace in an era defined by rapid technological change.