IAF to showcase indigenous drone, counter-drone technologies at Dronathon-2026
New Delhi, Sep 8. The Indian Air Force (IAF) will organise Dronathon-2026 at the Pokhran range in Jaisalmer from September 14 to 16 to showcase the capabilities of domestic manufacturers and provide a platform for emerging technologies in unmanned aerial systems (UAS) and counter-unmanned aerial systems (CUAS).
The three-day event will feature static displays as well as live demonstrations, enabling stakeholders to assess emerging drone and counter-drone technologies and their operational applications. The exercise is also aimed at promoting interaction and mutual learning among the armed forces, industry, startups and technology innovators.
Dronathon-2026 will focus on key areas including surveillance and reconnaissance, autonomous operations, swarm technologies and electronic warfare. The live demonstrations are expected to help the IAF identify contemporary technological solutions and assess their combat effectiveness in operational scenarios.
The initiative is part of the IAF’s efforts to strengthen India’s indigenous defence ecosystem in line with the government’s ‘Aatmanirbhar Bharat’ (Self-reliant India) vision. By bringing together industry experts, startups and innovators, the event seeks to encourage the development and integration of advanced indigenous technologies for future military requirements.
The IAF said such initiatives are aimed at building a technologically advanced, self-reliant and future-ready force capable of responding to emerging security challenges in an increasingly technology-driven and rapidly evolving operational environment.
