Dronathon 2026 to Test IAF Drone Warfare

The Indian Air Force (IAF) will organise Dronathon-2026 at the Pokhran range in Jaisalmer, Rajasthan, from 14 September to 16 September 2026. The three-day military aviation event will focus on Unmanned Aerial Systems (UAS) and Counter-Unmanned Aerial Systems (CUAS) for defence applications.

Unmanned Aerial Systems

Unmanned Aerial Systems are aircraft systems that operate without an onboard human pilot. UAS usually include the air vehicle, ground control station, communication links, and payloads such as cameras, sensors, or weapons.

Counter-Unmanned Aerial Systems are technologies used to detect, track, identify, disrupt, or neutralise hostile drones. CUAS systems may use radar, radio-frequency detection, jamming, directed energy, or kinetic interception.

Pokhran Range and Military Testing

The Pokhran range in Jaisalmer is a major Indian Army and Indian Air Force testing area in the Thar Desert of Rajasthan. The site has been used for weapons trials, field exercises, and large-scale military demonstrations because of its open terrain and restricted access.

Dronathon-2026 will include static displays and live tactical demonstrations. The event will assess drone systems under operational conditions, including surveillance, reconnaissance, autonomous flight, and electronic warfare environments.

Modern Warfare Applications

The IAF has identified swarm drone technologies as a focus area for the event. Swarm drones are multiple unmanned platforms that operate in coordinated groups through networked control or autonomous algorithms.

Electronic warfare refers to the use of the electromagnetic spectrum for military purposes, including jamming, deception, and signal interception. Surveillance and reconnaissance are military functions that collect information on enemy movement, terrain, and target locations.

Important Facts for Exams

• The Indian Air Force is the air arm of the Indian Armed Forces and was established on 8 October 1932.
• Atmanirbhar Bharat is a Government of India initiative associated with self-reliance in manufacturing and technology.
• Jaisalmer is located in western Rajasthan and lies close to the India-Pakistan border region.
• Drone warfare includes both offensive unmanned systems and defensive counter-drone systems.

Dronathon-2026 is scheduled for 14 to 16 September 2026 at the Pokhran range in Rajasthan. The event will bring together domestic manufacturers, defence startups, and innovators working on UAS and CUAS technologies.