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India and EU Conclude First Joint Counter-Drone Counterterrorism Exercise in Manesar

The three-day Manesar drill marked a shift from dialogue to hands-on cooperation under the EU’s ESIWA+ project.

Overview

  • Held from October 13 to 15, the training brought India’s National Security Guard together with EU High Risk Security Network instructors and technical experts.
  • The programme blended special forces tactics in urban settings with advanced counter‑UAS techniques and culminated in a joint simulation to test interoperability.
  • Officials said the activity will lead to drafting Standard Operating Procedures and an Engagement Decision Matrix to protect mass gatherings and critical infrastructure.
  • Participants examined evolving threats including drone swarms and autonomous systems and highlighted needs such as AI-driven detection, sensor fusion, directed energy and kinetic defenses.
  • The EU Delegation to India organised the exercise with NSG cooperation, situating it within expanding EUIndia counterterrorism ties following recent strategic engagements.