In a major step toward building next-generation operational capabilities and accelerating self-reliance in defense, the Indian Air Force (IAF) hosted a high-level Industry Outreach Programme at Vigyan Bhawan, New Delhi, on Wednesday, October 21, 2026.
The landmark event brought together around 100 representatives from leading drone manufacturers, Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs), startups, and key defense industry partners. The session aimed to directly align India’s rapidly growing unmanned tech ecosystem with the IAF’s long-term operational requirements and technological priorities.
The program was chaired by Air Marshal Premkumar K, VM, VSM, Director General (Weapon Systems), Air Headquarters.
Key Operational Priorities & Strategic Roadmap
The outreach builds directly upon the ‘IAF Unmanned and Autonomous Systems Roadmap,’ which was initially unveiled during the IAF Dronathon 2026 at Pokhran in September. During Wednesday’s event, the IAF distributed official roadmap booklets to industry partners, offering a structured blueprint of what the military expects from future unmanned technology.
Recognizing the shift in modern warfare, the IAF’s roadmap envisions a layered and networked family of unmanned systems. Rather than replacing traditional aviation, these resilient and operationally relevant indigenous systems will act as strategic force multipliers designed to complement existing and future manned platforms.
“Aatmanirbharta is an Operational Necessity”
Highlighting the urgency of defense self-reliance, military leadership emphasized at the event that achieving Aatmanirbharta (self-reliance) in autonomous systems is no longer just an aspiration, but a critical operational necessity.
To break dependence on foreign supply chains and build resilient domestic defense infrastructure, the IAF identified several core technologies requiring immediate, focused innovation:
- Indigenous Propulsion Systems: Reducing reliance on foreign engine components.
- Autonomous Software & AI: Enhancing edge computing and mission intelligence.
- Resilient Navigation: Ensuring operations in GPS-denied or heavily jammed environments.
- Standardized Interfaces: Enabling plug-and-play modularity across different platforms.
Through continued collaboration with startups, MSMEs, academia, and defense manufacturers, the IAF plans to translate cutting-edge technology into battlefield-ready operational power—solidifying India’s position as a hub for advanced defense technology.
