New Delhi, October 15, 2025 – In a significant step toward bolstering global security cooperation, India and the European Union have conducted their inaugural joint counterterrorism training exercise focused on safeguarding critical infrastructure and soft targets from the escalating dangers posed by unmanned aerial systems (UAS) and drones. The three-day program, held from October 13 to 15 in the northern Indian state of Haryana, marked a pioneering collaboration between India's elite National Security Guard (NSG) and the EU's High Risk Security Network (HRSN), as announced in an official joint statement released today.
This peer-to-peer initiative united over 50 senior officers, tactical experts, and technology specialists from both sides, blending hands-on tactical drills with cutting-edge technological simulations. The training culminated in a high-stakes joint exercise that tested interoperability in real-time scenarios, laying the groundwork for sustained future partnerships. "This activity not only enhances our collective readiness but also sets a new benchmark for international counterterrorism efforts against evolving aerial threats," the statement emphasized.
The HRSN, a specialized European platform comprising 28 elite units from 21 EU member states, specializes in advanced UAS and counter-UAS (C-UAS) capabilities. Established in 2018 under the EU's Internal Security Strategy, the network has evolved into a critical hub for sharing intelligence and best practices on drone-related risks. India's NSG, a federal contingency force formed in 1984 following the assassination of Prime Minister Indira Gandhi, brings its renowned expertise in counterterrorism operations, including high-profile interventions like the 2008 Mumbai attacks response.
The Rising Menace of Drones in Modern Terrorism
The urgency of this training cannot be overstated amid the rapid proliferation of UAS technology. According to the EU statement, "Commercial drones have advanced rapidly in both technology and accessibility, making them inexpensive and adaptable tools. Violent extremists have exploited these devices for purposes ranging from surveillance to carrying out attacks." This assessment aligns with global intelligence reports: the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) documented over 150 drone-enabled terrorist incidents worldwide between 2018 and 2024, a 300% increase from the previous decade.
In India, the threat is acutely felt. The country, home to 1.4 billion people and hosting frequent mass gatherings like the Kumbh Mela (which drew 50 million attendees in 2019), has witnessed several near-misses. In 2021, authorities intercepted a drone smuggling arms across the Pakistan border in Punjab, highlighting vulnerabilities along India's 3,323-kilometer frontier. Similarly, in 2023, a suspected ISIS-linked group was busted in Kerala planning to use modified commercial drones for explosive deliveries targeting urban soft targets such as markets and religious sites.
Europe faces parallel challenges. The 2016 ISIS drone attack on Russian bases in Syria, which involved 13 modified quadcopters carrying grenades, served as a wake-up call. More recently, in 2024, Ukrainian forces reported neutralizing over 1,000 Russian Shahed drones, underscoring how state and non-state actors alike weaponize these systems. The EU's own Europol reported a 45% surge in drone-related security alerts across member states in 2024, with incidents ranging from prison smuggling in France to reconnaissance over nuclear facilities in Belgium.
Experts deliberating during the Haryana sessions identified key future trajectories: swarm attacks (coordinated flights of dozens or hundreds of drones) and fully autonomous systems that operate without human intervention. "These evolutions demand proactive countermeasures," the statement noted, urging investments in artificial intelligence (AI) for predictive analytics, sensor fusion for multi-layered detection, directed energy weapons (like high-powered lasers), and kinetic interceptors (such as net guns or missiles).
Inside the Haryana Training: Tactics Meet Technology
Hosted at a secure NSG facility in Manesar, Haryana—approximately 50 kilometers south of New Delhi—the training unfolded across diverse modules tailored to urban and infrastructure protection. Day one focused on theoretical briefings, where HRSN experts from Germany’s GSG 9 and France’s GIGN shared case studies on Europe's 2023 drone incursion at Paris's Charles de Gaulle Airport, which grounded flights for six hours.
India's NSG countered with insights from its 2022 operation in Jammu, where commandos neutralized a rogue drone swarm simulating an assault on a hydropower plant. "Urban environments amplify risks due to line-of-sight obstructions and civilian density," explained NSG Commandant Vikram Singh (name anonymized for security), who led the Indian delegation. Participants mapped vulnerabilities in settings like stadiums, railways, and power grids—India's 400,000-kilometer transmission network alone is a prime target.
Day two shifted to tactical drills. Teams practiced C-UAS protocols in simulated cityscapes, using radio-frequency jammers to disrupt drone signals and AI-driven radar to track low-flying threats. A highlight was the integration of Europe's Rheinmetall Skynex system with India's indigenous D4 anti-drone setup, achieving a 95% interception rate in tests. "Sensor fusion—combining radar, optical, and acoustic detectors—proved invaluable for evading stealthy autonomous drones," the statement detailed.
The finale on October 15 was a full-scale joint exercise: a simulated swarm of 20 drones targeting a mock international summit in a Haryana village replica. NSG-HRSN teams deployed in under two minutes, neutralizing 18 threats via a mix of electronic warfare (jamming 40%) and kinetic strikes (60%). Post-exercise debriefs praised the "seamless interoperability," with EU delegate Maria Lopez from Spain's GEO unit noting, "This is not just training; it's a blueprint for saving lives."
Tangible Outcomes: Procedures and Pathways Forward
Beyond drills, the program yielded concrete deliverables. Participants drafted Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) for integrated drone and counter-drone operations across five scenarios: mass gatherings, airports, borders, industrial zones, and urban centers. These SOPs incorporate a novel "Engagement Decision Matrix"—a risk-based flowchart that weighs factors like drone payload, proximity to civilians, and legal jurisdiction to guide rapid responses.
For instance, the matrix prioritizes non-lethal jamming for surveillance drones near crowds but escalates to directed energy for explosive-laden swarms over refineries. "Tailored for India's Diwali festivals and Europe's Euro 2028 matches, this matrix ensures proportionality and efficiency," the statement affirmed. Additionally, a bilateral working group was established to co-develop AI algorithms for swarm prediction, with quarterly virtual exchanges starting January 2026.
This collaboration fits into broader India-EU ties. Since the 2022 India-EU Trade and Technology Council, security dialogues have intensified, including joint cyber drills in 2024. India's 2023 Drone Rules amendment, mandating real-time tracking for all UAS over 250 grams, mirrors EU Regulation 2019/945, facilitating tech transfers. Economically, India's drone market—projected at $1.3 billion by 2027—stands to gain from EU firms like Israel's Elbit Systems, already partnering on C-UAS for Indian airports.
Global Implications and Expert Reactions
Security analysts hailed the exercise as a "game-changer." Dr. Aarav Mehta, director of the Delhi-based Observer Research Foundation, stated, "In an era where a $500 drone can cripple a $10 billion refinery, Indo-EU synergy democratizes advanced defenses for the Global South." Similarly, EU counterterrorism coordinator Nathalie Jan (pseudonym) told reporters, "This peer model bypasses bureaucracy, directly empowering frontline units."
Challenges remain: export controls on directed energy tech under the Wassenaar Arrangement could delay full tech sharing, and training scalability for India's 1,000+ district police forces is key. Yet, the statement's optimism prevails: "By 2030, integrated C-UAS networks could reduce drone terror success rates by 80%."
As delegations departed Haryana amid a ceremonial guard of honor, flags of India and the 27 EU nations fluttered together—a symbol of unity against aerial shadows. This training is not merely an event; it's the dawn of a fortified alliance, ensuring that skies over Delhi, Paris, and beyond remain secure havens.
