Dronathon-2026
Why in News?
Dronathon-2026 is in the news because the Indian Air Force (IAF) announced that it is hosting a major three-day military technology event to test and showcase India's latest indigenous drone and counter-drone innovations.
Event Details & Schedule
- Organizer: The Indian Air Force (IAF).
- Dates: Scheduled to take place from September 14 to 16, 2026.
- Venue: Held at the Pokhran range in Jaisalmer, Rajasthan.
Objectives
- Capability Exhibition: Allow domestic manufacturers, start-ups, and innovators to display advancements in Unmanned Aerial Systems (UAS) and Counter-Unmanned Aerial Systems (CUAS).
- Combat Assessment: Utilize static displays and live field demonstrations to evaluate the combat effectiveness and operational readiness of new tech.
- Industry Collaboration: Foster mutual learning and feedback exchange between the Indian Armed Forces and the domestic technology sector.
Key Focus Technologies
- Surveillance & Reconnaissance: Enhancing real-time intelligence gathering capabilities.
- Autonomous Operations: Showcasing self-operating and self-navigating aerial systems.
- Swarm Technologies: Demonstrating coordinated, multi-drone operational networks acting as a single unit.
- Electronic Warfare: Evaluating systems built to disrupt, jam, or neutralize hostile aerial assets.
