In a landmark initiative, the European Union and India held a joint counterterrorism training exercise from October 13 to 15, aimed at protecting critical infrastructure and soft targets from emerging threats posed by UAS.
The increasing availability and misuse of drones by both state and non-state actors have introduced serious security challenges. With commercial drones becoming more advanced and accessible, violent extremists have leveraged them for surveillance and attacks.
The three-day training brought together senior officers, instructors, and technical experts from India’s National Security Guard (NSG) and the EU’s High Risk Security Network (HRSN). The program focused on advanced UAS and Counter-UAS capabilities, combining tactical and technological instruction.
It culminated in a joint exercise designed to enhance interoperability and lay the groundwork for future collaboration. Participants also strengthened their mitigation skills and explored deployment models for major events.
Discussions included the evolving nature of drone threats – such as swarm and autonomous systems – and the need for cutting-edge detection and neutralization technologies like artificial intelligence, sensor fusion, directed energy, and kinetic countermeasures.
The EU HRSN, a specialized European platform comprising 28 units from 21 EU Member States, deployed a team of UAS and C-UAS instructors and technical experts to Manesar, Gurugram. India’s elite NSG, operating under the Ministry of Home Affairs, led the training with its extensive experience in detecting, tracking, and neutralizing hostile drones.
Special forces engaged in urban counterterrorism tactics using UAS, followed by a joint tactical simulation exercise. This allowed NSG and HRSN units to test and refine real-world response capabilities. Outcomes from the training will inform the development of standard operating procedures for integrated drone and counter-drone operations, as well as an Engagement Decision Matrix tailored to safeguard mass gatherings and critical infrastructure.
“This joint training shows how the EU and India are turning commitment into action, working side by side to keep our citizens safe. Like India EU and its Member States have been directly exposed to direct and deliberate drone-related threats,” H.E. Hervé Delphin, Ambassador of the European Union to India, said.
“Such threats evolve rapidly, as part of hybrid tactics. Only swift and coordinated responses will keep us ahead. Hence the importance of such a joint training seminar.”
The event marked a shift from dialogue to action in counterterrorism cooperation and was organized by the EU Delegation to India in collaboration with the NSG. It was facilitated by the EU project ESIWA+ (Enhancing Security Cooperation In and With Asia and the Indo-Pacific).
This initiative builds on the College of Commissioners’ visit to India in February 2025 and the recently announced Joint Communication on a New Strategic EU–India Agenda, which prioritizes deeper counterterrorism collaboration.
It also follows the India-EU Track 1.5 Roundtable on Countering Terrorist Exploitation of UAS held in February 2024. The training aligns with the EU’s Indo-Pacific Strategy and reinforces the ongoing EU-India Counterterrorism Dialogue.
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Post Image Credit: Delegation of the European Union to India and Bhutan.
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