By Thamanna Sadique
In the first week of October, the Army, Navy and the Air Force will run a combined exercise and test the drones and counter-drone systems. Efforts to practice the joint exercise between the Army, Navy and Air Force are expected to take place in Madhya Pradesh; It will evaluate the failure of drones and counter-drone systems; defence officials outline the most important role of anti-drone systems in Operation Sindoor.
The authorities termed it as the largest such exercise that would be done since Operation Sindoor, which would evaluate the performance and failure of the existing air defence system. To substantiate the development, one of senior officials reported that the exercise will involve the test of functional preparedness towards changing aerial threats.
The exercise will be done in collaboration with industry partners, research and development agencies, academia and other stakeholders as well. In an address at a conference on Counter UAVs and Air Defence Systems: The Future of Modern Warfare, the chief guest at the conference was the chief of the Integrated Defence Staff, Air Marshal Ashutosh Dixit, who took a very specific mention of Pakistan.
They are also striving to resemble India and we need to always be a step ahead. The counter-drone and GPS jamming systems worked well during the operation, Sindoor, and no harm was done by enemy drones. The foe too has been informed of our abilities. The next time, we must be in the lead and a lot higher, said he.
He revealed that the future vision is an integrated defence system, which is inspired by the concept of the Sudarshan Chakra to combat drones, UAVs, hypersonic weapons, and other threats. There is a necessity for systems that can be used during peace and war, considering anti-social factors that are obtaining drone technology and should have large-scale counter-drone equipment.
Guest of honour at the event, the Deputy Chief of the Integrated Defence Staff (Operations) Rakesh Sinha, said: The future of warfare will be determined by the current drone versus defensive race. Countries investing in counter drone systems will have a strategic advantage. Counter-drone technologies should also be developed as these technologies should be able to combat not only the existing but also emerging drone capabilities.
According to him, the next exercise will help to advance and perfect drone technologies. He emphasized that anti-drone systems should be able to distinguish and identify accurately in complex electromagnetic fields, and proportional engagement plans, which do not cause collateral damages. Smooth interaction with already existing air defence systems and artificial intelligence-based quick classification and response are essential to be scalable and battlefield-ready, he added.