Ministry of Defence
IAF DRONATHON 2026
PrelimsMainsGS3Science & TechnologyEconomySecurity
Source-grounded summary
The Ministry of Defence is organising IAF Dronathon-2026 to provide domestic manufacturers an opportunity to showcase their capabilities in Unmanned Aerial Systems (UAS) and Counter Unmanned Aerial Systems (CUAS). Scheduled at the Pokhran range, Jaisalmer, from September 14 to 16, 2026, the event features static displays and live demonstrations to evaluate combat effectiveness and identify contemporary solutions. Key focus areas include surveillance and reconnaissance, autonomous operations, swarm technologies, and electronic warfare. The initiative aligns with Atmanirbhar Bharat by integrating industry experts, start-ups, and innovators to bolster the indigenous defence ecosystem.