India to Conduct ‘Cold Start’ Military Exercise Next Month
NEW DELHI: India’s Army, Navy, and Air Force are set to conduct a joint military exercise named ‘Cold Start’ in the first week of October. The drill, likely to be held in Madhya Pradesh, will test drones and counter-drone systems in what officials describe as the largest such exercise since Operation Sindoor.
The exercise aims to assess operational readiness and identify shortcomings in India’s current air defence capabilities. Officials said it will focus on evolving aerial threats and integrate contributions from industry partners, research agencies, and academia.
About the Cold Start Doctrine
The Cold Start doctrine was developed to enable rapid, integrated offensive operations by combined arms units, bypassing traditional slow troop mobilization. It was designed after Operation Parakram, which exposed delays following the 2001 Parliament attack. The doctrine allows India to respond swiftly to terrorism and limited military threats without escalating into full-scale war. Analysts warn, however, that such operations carry risks of escalation, given Pakistan’s tactical nuclear capabilities.
Future-ready air defence
Speaking at a Delhi conference on “Counter UAVs & Air Defence Systems,” Air Marshal Ashutosh Dixit, India’s Chief of Integrated Defence Staff, highlighted the need to stay ahead of adversaries. “Our counter-drone and GPS jamming systems performed effectively during Operation Sindoor,” he said, adding that future systems must be integrated, capable against drones, UAVs, hypersonic weapons, and adaptable for both peace and wartime scenarios.
He emphasized that widespread counter-drone capabilities are increasingly necessary, noting the threat posed by anti-social elements acquiring advanced drone technology.
The upcoming Cold Start exercise underscores India’s commitment to modernizing its air defence and preparing for fast, decisive responses to emerging threats.
