The relentless hum of tomorrow’s battlefield is already echoing from India’s design labs and startup hubs. Air Chief Marshal Amar Preet Singh, the top commander of the Indian Air Force (IAF), has emphasized that the nation must accelerate its journey towards true self-reliance.
While addressing the inaugural session of the Bharat Drone & Robotics Manthan 3.0 conference, he outlined a decisive roadmap for the IAF to collaborate closely with domestic industry and innovators. By enhancing synergy with local startups, the IAF aims to innovate and adapt to the rapidly changing landscape of modern warfare.
With unmanned systems becoming increasingly pivotal in military strategy, Singh urged the Indian defence sector to leap ahead in the evolving technology landscape, where the speed of response plays a crucial role. “Hesitation carries a high operational cost,” he noted, highlighting the urgent need for timely advancements.
The Air Chief highlighted the responsibility of defining operational requirements, stating that the user must spearhead this initiative. He introduced the Directorate of Aerospace Design (DAD) as a vital link for engaging with startups and innovators eager to contribute to the IAF’s operational needs. “The problem statement has to originate from us,” he asserted, underlining the importance of clarity in requirements.
In a bid to streamline the evaluation process, the IAF has launched Dronathon 2026, set for September. This initiative invites companies to showcase their products through live demonstrations, resolving to move past traditional evaluation methods that often slow down innovations. This proactive approach aims to foster a competitive environment for drone technology.
Air Chief Marshal Singh emphasized the risks tied to foreign dependence, calling for a decisive shift towards domestic production. “Every brick should be developed in India. Then only can we claim to be fully Atmanirbhar,” he stated, reinforcing the necessity for India to achieve independence in its defence manufacturing sector.
He also warned against the bureaucratic obstacles that can stifle technological advancements. “Technology delayed is technology denied,” he insisted, advocating for a united national effort that encompasses academia, regulatory bodies, investors, and manufacturers to propel innovations from conceptual stages to practical applications.
While recognizing that drones serve to complement manned platforms, the IAF’s active outreach signifies a transformative shift in addressing operational challenges. This collaborative approach opens avenues for the nation’s aerospace entrepreneurs to thrive in an increasingly competitive landscape.
Singh concluded with a clarion call for change, stating, “If we keep doing what we are doing, we will get the same results that we have been getting. If we want different results… let us do something different.” His remarks encapsulate the ambitious vision for an indigenously developed drone ecosystem, paving the way for India’s future in autonomous military capabilities.
