Cold Start Drill: 7 Breakthrough Tests for India’s Drone Defence

Joint Military Exercise ‘Cold Start’

The Indian Army, Navy, and Air Force are set to conduct a major joint military exercise named “Cold Start” in the first week of October 2025. This exercise will primarily focus on testing drones and counter-drone systems to enhance India’s air defense capabilities in the face of evolving aerial threats, including threats from hostile unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs).

Key Details:

1. Objective of the Exercise:

• To evaluate operational readiness of India’s armed forces against modern aerial threats, particularly drones.
• To assess the effectiveness and shortcomings of existing air defense and counter-drone systems.
• To simulate real-world combat scenarios, integrating technologies like GPS jamming, surveillance drones, and AI-driven defense systems.

2. Venue:

• The exercise is expected to be held in Madhya Pradesh, which offers a large and secure testing area for such high-intensity drills.

3. Significance:

• Biggest exercise since Operation Sindoor – This is the largest tri-service drill focused on drones and air defense conducted after the highly successful Operation Sindoor, which had earlier demonstrated India’s ability to neutralize enemy drone threats.
• Helps identify gaps in current technology and strategies while encouraging innovation and indigenous development.

Exercise Shatrujeet (Army)

• Type: Army-level counter-insurgency and anti-terrorism exercise.
• Purpose: To test operational readiness against insurgency and terrorist threats along the borders.
• Features: Involves live-fire drills, tactical operations, and coordination with paramilitary forces.
• Significance: Enhances combat efficiency and rapid deployment capabilities.

Exercise Vijay Prahar (Army)

• Type: Anti-terror and counter-terrorism exercise.
• Purpose: Simulates multi-front attacks and urban warfare scenarios.
• Scope: Trains troops for both conventional and asymmetric warfare.
• Significance: Strengthens quick-response capabilities against terrorist threats.

Exercise Malabar (Naval)

• Type: Multilateral naval exercise with India, the US, Japan, and Australia.
• Purpose: Enhances maritime security cooperation, anti-submarine warfare, and carrier operations.
• Features: Includes live-fire exercises, anti-piracy drills, and fleet maneuvers.
• Significance: Strengthens India’s presence in the Indo-Pacific region and promotes interoperability with allied navies.

Exercise Varuna (Navy – India & France)

• Type: Bilateral naval exercise with France.
• Purpose: Enhances strategic maritime coordination, carrier-based operations, and fleet maneuvers.
• Significance: Focuses on India-France defense cooperation in the Indian Ocean.

Exercise Konkan (Navy – India & UK)

• Type: Bilateral naval exercise with the UK.
• Purpose: Joint training for anti-submarine, surface, and aerial threat operations.
• Significance: Strengthens maritime ties and joint tactical proficiency.

Exercise Indra (Tri-service / Army & Air Force)

• Type: Bilateral exercise with Russia (India-Russia).
• Purpose: Tests joint operations between Indian forces and Russian troops.
• Scope: Includes air defense, mechanized units, and artillery coordination.
• Significance: Improves interoperability with foreign forces and modern warfare capabilities.

Exercise Gagan Shakti (Air Force)

• Type: Major Indian Air Force exercise for operational preparedness.
• Purpose: Evaluates air defense, aerial warfare, and combat readiness.
• Features: Involves live combat simulations, air-to-air and air-to-ground drills.
• Significance: Largest IAF exercise focusing on modern aerial threat response.

Exercise Cope India (Air Force – India & USA)

• Type: Bilateral air combat exercise with the US Air Force.
• Purpose: Enhances tactical aerial operations, fighter maneuvers, and electronic warfare skills.
• Significance: Strengthens air force interoperability and knowledge exchange.

Exercise Yudh Abhyas (Army – India & USA)

• Type: Annual India-US Army joint training exercise.
• Purpose: Focuses on counter-terrorism, joint tactical maneuvers, and disaster response.
• Significance: Enhances coordination between Indian and foreign forces in complex terrains.

Exercise Surya Kiran (Army – India & Nepal)

• Type: Bilateral exercise with Nepal Army.
• Purpose: Enhances cross-border cooperation, joint counter-insurgency drills, and operational readiness.
• Significance: Strengthens regional security ties and military diplomacy.

Exercise Iron Fist (Army)

• Type: Army-level mechanized warfare and firepower exercise.
• Purpose: Tests armored, artillery, and infantry coordination in simulated war scenarios.

Significance: Evaluates combat readiness and strategic planning capabilities.