The relentless hum of tomorrow’s battlefield resonates in India’s design labs and startup hubs. IAF Chief Air Chief Marshal Amar Preet Singh highlighted the urgent need for true self-reliance in India’s drone ecosystem at the Bharat Drone & Robotics Manthan 3.0 conference.
He laid out a bold roadmap for the Indian Air Force (IAF) to intensify partnerships with domestic industries and innovative startups. Modern warfare increasingly demands cost-effective unmanned systems, and the Air Chief urged the defence sector to outpace technological advancements, cautioning that hesitation can lead to high operational costs.
“The problem statement has to originate from us,” Singh stated, referencing the newly established Directorate of Aerospace Design (DAD). This body aims to foster collaboration with startups and innovators directly, facilitating communication about the specific needs of the IAF.
The IAF announced the upcoming Dronathon 2026, set for September, to invite companies to demonstrate live product capabilities, moving beyond traditional evaluation methods that often slow down innovation.
Singh delivered a compelling message regarding dependency on foreign supply chains, stating, “Every brick should be developed in India. Then only we can say we are fully Atmanirbhar.” This highlights a significant commitment to domestic manufacturing in the defence sector, ensuring security and independence.
The Air Chief cautioned against bureaucratic delays, reiterating that “technology delayed is technology denied.” He urged collaboration among academia, regulators, investors, and manufacturers to transform innovations from the labs into usable technologies on the front lines.
While drones will complement rather than replace manned systems, this active outreach from the IAF signals a transformative shift towards recognizing operational challenges as collaborative opportunities for India’s aerospace entrepreneurs.
“If we keep doing what we are doing, we will get the same results,” declared Singh, calling for a commitment to innovative approaches that can produce different and better outcomes for national defence.
