Defence Minister Rajnath Singh officially inaugurated the Bharat Drone Shakti-2023 exhibition, which took place at the Hindan Air Base in Ghaziabad, Uttar Pradesh. This impressive drone exhibition was jointly hosted by the Indian Air Force (IAF) and the Drone Federation of India (DFI). Following the inauguration, Defence Minister Rajnath Singh and Air Chief Marshal VR Chaudhari had the opportunity to witness the capabilities of the Indian drone industry firsthand.
Bharat Drone Shakti 2023 featured live aerial demonstrations showcasing various drone operations and applications presented by different drone companies. The event commenced with a demonstration of a compact drone system that can be transported on a motorcycle. Specially customized motorbikes were used to transport unassembled drones, particularly designed for introducing modern agricultural practices in rural areas.
Subsequently, the event highlighted drones with the capacity to carry payloads ranging from 50kg to 100kg. Among the displays, a Kamikaze drone was also presented to the attendees. The Indian Air Force, recognizing the potential of indigenous drone development, collaborated with the Drone Federation of India to co-host this event.
The Bharat Drone Shakti 2023 exhibition, held on September 25 and 26 at the Hindan airbase in Ghaziabad, emphasized the growing utilization of drones across both military and civilian domains in India. Drone technology has significantly impacted various sectors by enhancing efficiency, reducing risks, and expanding capabilities.
The Indian Air Force, with its extensive experience in employing Remotely Piloted Aircraft for intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance operations, initiated the Meher Baba Swarm Drone competition to promote and showcase India’s drone capabilities.
Now, with Bharat Drone Shakti 2023, the Indian Air Force aims to further leverage this expertise. The event featured over 50 live aerial demonstrations, showcasing a wide range of drone applications, including survey drones, agricultural drones, fire suppression drones, tactical surveillance drones, heavy-lift logistics drones, loitering munition systems, drone swarms, and counter-drone solutions.
More than 75 drone startups and corporate entities actively participated in the event, which was expected to draw approximately 5,000 attendees. Bharat Drone Shakti 2023 served as a convergence point for various stakeholders, including representatives from government agencies, state departments, public and private industries, armed forces, academic institutions, students, and drone enthusiasts.
The collaboration between the Indian Air Force and the Drone Federation of India underscores their commitment to advancing drone technology and its applications in India. The event aimed to showcase the capabilities of Indian drones and facilitate networking, knowledge exchange, and collaboration among industry leaders, innovators, and enthusiasts.
Bharat Drone Shakti 2023 marked a significant step towards harnessing the full potential of this transformative technology for the benefit of the nation.
