# IAF’s Dronathon 2026 showcases indigenous drone, counter-drone tech 2026-09-14T19:52:03+00:00 | Governance | Indian Opinion Desk Corroboration: 2 independent outlets The Indian Air Force opened 'Dronathon 2026' at the Pokhran range in Jaisalmer on September 14, with live demonstrations of indigenous unmanned aerial systems and counter-drone technologies. Vice Chief of Air Staff Air Marshal Ashutosh Dixit inaugurated the three-day event and released the 'IAF UAS Roadmap' to guide industry and academia on capability priorities. Over 20 defence companies, start-ups, MSMEs and innovators are demonstrating systems including loitering munitions, electronic warfare-capable UAS, logistics drones, AI-based technologies, and the indigenously developed 'Vayu UTtaM' unmanned traffic management system. The IAF said the event aims to assess available technologies against operational requirements and support the 'Atmanirbhar Bharat' vision in defence. The demonstrations cover defence, border surveillance, disaster management, and civilian applications. The IAF described the event as part of its continuing engagement with Indian industry to develop and induct indigenous unmanned capabilities. ## Indian Opinion Analysis All three sources report the event using near-identical wire copy from PTI, emphasising the IAF's stated goals of self-reliance and operational readiness. Rediff.com and India Today lead with the same framing of the event as a platform for domestic manufacturers and 'Atmanirbhar Bharat'. Rediff.com's second story adds the specific 'Vayu UTtaM' demonstration and the UAS Roadmap release but stays within the same factual, promotional tone. There is no critical or opposition perspective in any source. The coverage is uniform straight reporting with no detectable slant. The event runs until September 16, the roadmap and demonstration outcomes will shape future IAF procurement. ## Coverage - rediff.com (neutral report) Straight PTI wire copy, adds Vayu UTtaM detail but no critical framing - indiatoday.in (neutral report) Straight PTI wire copy, no independent analysis or critique - rediff.com (neutral report) Straight PTI wire copy, adds Vayu UTtaM detail but no critical framing Tags: Ashutosh Dixit, Atmanirbhar Bharat, Dronathon 2026, Indian Air Force, Pokhran Canonical: https://indianopinion.org/iaf-dronathon-2026-showcases-indigenous-drones-at-pokhran/ License: Summary and commentary (c) Indian Opinion, reusable with attribution. Facts belong to the linked sources. Cite: https://indianopinion.org/iaf-dronathon-2026-showcases-indigenous-drones-at-pokhran/#story-in-brief