In early October 2025, India is set to hold its biggest tri service military exercise, named Cold Start. The exercise, which will presumably be located in Madhya Pradesh, will unite the Army, Navy and Air Force to conduct an operational preparedness check against one of the rapidly increasing threats in the modern warfare-drones and unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs).
Purpose and Background
The drill follows lessons learnt in operation saldhur which India was able to counteract unfriendly drone attacks. Cold Start is specially developed to determine Indian capability in regard to detection, tracking and countermeasuring threats to the air. It emphasizes the fact that drones that were formerly considered as primarily a surveillance instrumental have become cheap yet extremely efficient weapon of war.
Operational Focus
The exercises are going to model real war conditions such as swarms of drones, GPS jamming, electronic warfare, and threats of hypersonic weaponry. Through the participation of industry players, research organisations and academic institutions, the exercise would serve as live testing ground to new technologies. The feedback obtained shall inform the counter response of drones as well as the air defence in India.
Strategic Importance
The battlefield has been transformed worldwide by drones which provide precision attacks and surveillance at a fraction of the price as compared to the normal systems. Since rivals have been greatly investing in the drone technology, the capability of India to be ahead of them is important. Cold Start is an indication of high dedication to securing Indian airspace and further boosting deterrence forces.
Towards Integrated Defence
A major theme of this exercise is to develop a combined system of air defence, based on the concept of Sudarshan Chakra. This image is connected with sensors, electronic countermeasures, and command networks to all three services, which allows to understand aerial threats and respond to them quickly. Such integration can be necessary not only to drones, but also to hypersonic specifications, missiles and other advanced technologies.
The Road Ahead
On the one hand, this is a step by Cold Start that will enhance the readiness of the Indian army, and, on the other hand, it reminds about the difficulties associated with the swift development of drone warfare. There will be continuous inventions in electronic warfare, artificial intelligence-monitored detections, and countermeasures. Frequent joint training and close co-operation with the industry will provide assurance to India that they will be prepared to face the future battlefield.
Month: Current Affairs - September 26, 2025
Category: current affairs daily