Pokhran, September 14 (Daily Kiran) : The Indian Air Force kicked off Droneathon-2026 on September 14, 2026, at the Pokhran Field Firing Range. This unique event aims to test the capabilities of drones and unmanned aerial systems. Air Marshal Ashutosh Dikshit, the Deputy Chief of Air Staff, inaugurated the event.
Over 20 leading defense companies, startups, and small and medium enterprises are participating. These organizations are showcasing their unmanned aerial vehicles and associated combat technologies in real operational conditions at Pokhran.
According to the Air Force, the Droneathon features demonstrations of various capabilities, including surveillance, autonomous operations, drone swarm technology, electronic warfare, and anti-drone systems. However, the event’s purpose extends beyond merely showcasing new technology. The Air Force is assessing these systems based on their reliability and effectiveness in challenging conditions. Additionally, they are examining how quickly these systems can adapt to changing operational needs and emerging threats.
Senior officials from the Ministry of Defence, the Integrated Defence Staff, and representatives from the Indian Army and Border Security Force attended the ceremony. The event will run for three days, concluding on September 16. Unmanned systems are increasingly becoming vital partners to manned aircraft, offering enhanced operational reach, prolonged missions, rapid response, and flexibility.
During the opening, the Air Force also released its UAS roadmap, which aims to provide clearer guidance on the Air Force’s future priorities and capabilities for the Indian industry. This initiative will help industries, educational institutions, and research organizations align their innovations with future needs.
On the first day of the Droneathon, the indigenous multi-mode unmanned traffic management system, ‘Vayu Uttam,’ was demonstrated in real-time. This system detected and tracked both military and civilian unmanned aerial vehicles during the demonstration in Pokhran.
‘Vayu Uttam’ aims to assist in the coordinated management of various unmanned aerial operations in congested airspace. It also helps identify unauthorized or out-of-control drones and respond promptly. Given the increasing use of unmanned aerial systems, the potential applications of ‘Vayu Uttam’ extend beyond military use, encompassing airspace security, critical infrastructure, civil aviation, and public safety.
Through Droneathon-2026, the Air Force has underscored its focus on self-reliance in unmanned systems. This focus encompasses not just drone structures but also engines, propulsion systems, sensors, payloads, communication, autonomous technologies, electronic warfare, countermeasures, and airspace management systems.
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