The relentless hum of tomorrow’s battlefield echoes from India’s design labs and startup hubs. According to Air Chief Marshal Amar Preet Singh, the Chief of the Indian Air Force (IAF), achieving true self-reliance in defence technology demands an urgent shift in strategy.
Speaking at the inaugural session of the Bharat Drone & Robotics Manthan 3.0 conference in New Delhi, Air Chief Marshal Singh presented a bold vision for enhancing collaboration between the IAF and domestic innovators. He highlighted the growing significance of unmanned systems in modern warfare, calling on the defence sector to adapt swiftly to the rapid evolution of emerging technologies.
“Hesitation in technology adoption carries a high operational cost,” the Air Chief warned, underscoring the imperative for timely innovation. He pointed to the newly created Directorate of Aerospace Design (DAD) as a vital link intended to foster direct engagement with startups and the Indian industry.
“The problem statement has to originate from us. We have the Directorate of Aerospace Design to interact with industry players and startups. They must understand what requirements we have for drones, equipment, or sensors,” he stated, emphasizing the need for clear communication of operational needs.
In a notable move to streamline evaluation processes, the IAF announced the launch of Dronathon 2026, set to take place in September. This initiative invites companies to conduct live product demonstrations, a significant shift from earlier methods relying heavily on paper proposals and recorded presentations.
Air Chief Marshal Singh also highlighted vulnerabilities associated with foreign supply chains. He firmly declared, “Every brick should be developed in India. Only then can we claim to be fully Atmanirbhar,” underscoring the push for complete domestic capability.
Cautioning against bureaucratic delays, he further noted that “technology delayed is technology denied.” He called for a collaborative approach that brings together academia, regulators, investors, and manufacturers to expedite progress from lab innovations to actionable solutions on the battlefield.
While addressing the audience, Singh clarified that drones are not intended to replace manned platforms but are designed to enhance their capabilities. This proactive outreach from the IAF signifies a transformative shift, turning operational challenges into collaborative opportunities for India’s thriving aerospace entrepreneurs.
“If we continue doing what we have been doing, we will obtain the same results,” Air Chief Marshal Singh remarked. “For different results, we must adopt new strategies and innovative techniques,” he concluded, urging a united front to bolster the nation’s defence capabilities.
