From Loitering Munitions To Heavylift Logistics Vehicles, India Displays Future Tech In First-Ever 'Drone Shakti 2023' Exhibition

Defense Minister Rajnath Singh inaugurated the first-ever Bharat Drone Shakti-2023 exhibition at the Hindan Air Base in Ghaziabad, Uttar Pradesh yesterday (25 September).

The ceremony was attended by top military officials, including Indian Air Force (IAF) Chief Air Chief Marshal VR Chaudhari.

During the event, Singh also formally introduced the C-295 MW transport aircraft into the IAF, marking a significant upgrade to replace the aging Avro-748 fleet.

In a social media post on X, Singh announced his participation in the exhibition and aircraft unveiling, expressing his anticipation for the event.

These specially customised motorbikes can carry unassembled drones, which have the potential to assist farmers in adopting modern agricultural practices across rural India.

The two-day exhibition, co-organised by the Indian Air Force and the Drone Federation of India, featured over 50 live aerial demonstrations.

The event displayed a range of drones, including survey drones, agriculture drones, fire suppression drones, tactical surveillance drones, heavy-lift logistics drones, loitering munition systems, drone swarms, and counter-drone solutions.

Participation in the event exceeded 75 drone start-ups and corporations, attracting a diverse audience of approximately 5,000 attendees.

This included representatives from central government agencies, state departments, public and private industries, armed forces, paramilitary forces, delegates from friendly nations, academics, students, and drone enthusiasts.

The Bharat Drone Shakti-2023 exhibition showcased the growing significance of drones in various sectors, highlighting their potential for enhancing agricultural practices, surveillance, logistics, and security applications across the country and beyond.