47 mins ago
Indian Air Force Launches Dronathon 2026 for Indigenous Drone Technologies
The Indian Air Force has started a three-day event called Dronathon 2026.
It is being held at the Pokhran range in Jaisalmer, Rajasthan.
Indian companies are showing different kinds of drones and systems that can stop hostile drones.
Some drones can watch areas, carry supplies, map land or support military operations.
Other technologies use artificial intelligence, autonomous navigation and electronic warfare.
The Air Force will compare these systems with its operational needs.
The technologies may also help with border monitoring, disasters and infrastructure inspections.
Students and local young people can see the live and static demonstrations.
The event supports India’s goal of developing more defence technology within the country.
Dronathon 2026 began at the Pokhran range in Jaisalmer, Rajasthan, on Monday, September 14.
The three-day Indian Air Force event gives domestic manufacturers a platform to demonstrate unmanned and counter-unmanned systems.
Demonstrations include ISR systems, loitering munitions, electronic-warfare UAS, delivery drones, mapping systems and counter-drone technologies.
The systems are being assessed for defence, border surveillance, disaster management, infrastructure inspection and civilian applications.
The event aims to connect the Indian Air Force with industry, students and local youth while supporting indigenous, scalable unmanned capabilities.
- Who
- The Indian Air Force, domestic manufacturers, technology developers, students and local youth are participating; Air Marshal Ashutosh Dixit inaugurated the event.
- What
- Dronathon 2026 is a three-day showcase and assessment of unmanned aerial systems and counter-unmanned aerial systems.
- Where
- The event is taking place at the Pokhran range in Jaisalmer, Rajasthan.
- When
- The event began on Monday, September 14, 2026, according to the report.
- Why
- It is intended to enhance the Indian Air Force’s unmanned capabilities, assess technologies against operational needs and support indigenous, scalable solutions under the Atmanirbhar Bharat objective.
Key facts
- Event
- Dronathon 2026
- Host
- Indian Air Force
- Location
- Pokhran range, Jaisalmer, Rajasthan
- Duration
- Three days
- Inaugurated by
- Air Marshal Ashutosh Dixit, Vice Chief of the Air Staff
- Technology areas
- UAS, counter-UAS, ISR, loitering munitions, electronic warfare, artificial intelligence and autonomous navigation
- Applications
- Defence, border surveillance, disaster management, infrastructure inspection and civilian uses
Quotes
A senior Indian Air Force official
An unnamed senior official commenting on the event’s inauguration and objectives
“In line with the national objective of Atmanirbhar Bharat and with a focus on enhancing the IAF’s capabilities in the unmanned domain, ‘Dronathon 2026’ was inaugurated by the Vice Chief of the Air Staff, Air Marshal Ashutosh Dixit, at Jaisalmer today”
theprint.in
rediff.com
Sources
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