IAF Concludes the 2nd Edition of Mehar Baba Competition on Swarm Drones
The second version of Mehar Baba Competition-II (MBC), steered by the IAF and launched on 6 April 2022 by the defence minister with theme ‘Swarm Drone Based System to Detect Foreign Objects on Aircraft Operating Surfaces’ was concluded on 29 July 24.
Four out of initial 129 applicants, were shortlisted as finalists after rigorous assessments by a nominated committee of experts (CoE). It comprised domain experts from IAF as well as civil institutes. The competition was held in four phases of which last phase was conducted in July 24. Based on the assessment, Ayaan Autonomous Systems Pvt Ltd, Pune and Fleet RF Pvt Ltd, Greater Noida were declared winner and first runner up respectively in February 2025.
The IAF is undertaking niche technology development in the domain of unmanned and autonomous aerial vehicles through its innovative initiative Mehar Baba Competition (MBC). The MBC is forerunner in bridging the gap between Indian industry, academia, and users by providing them common platforms.
The competition has successfully forged a robust ecosystem, resulting in the capture of orders amounting more than thousand cores over the past three years from various industries including armed forces. This economic success is not just a testament to the MBC-II competitiveness but also underscores the potential for significant growth in the drone sector. An equally commendable achievement is the employment generation of thousands of individuals, predominantly fresh graduates from colleges and academia. The competition is guiding the way for future advancements in UAV technology which would reinforce India’s position on the global stage.
Capability Assessment Workshop on Autonomous Systems Concludes at IIT Kanpur
The Startup Incubation and Innovation Centre (SIIC) at IIT Kanpur, in collaboration with the Manohar Parrikar Institute for Defence Studies and Analyses (MP-IDSA), hosted a Capability Assessment Workshop on Drones and Autonomous Systems from 24–25 February 2025. The event brought together 44 distinguished attendees from government organisations, the armed forces, industry, and academic and research institutions, reinforcing IIT Kanpur’s position as India’s leading integrated drone technology hub.
The workshop saw active participation from representatives of MP-IDSA, the Uttar Pradesh Government, CSIR-NAL, DGCA, NAQAS, DGQA, ADB, IAF, army, navy, MHA, DACIDS, ADE, BSF, DRDO, and startups working in the drone technology ecosystem. It aimed to establish a comprehensive ecosystem for drone design, development, testing, certification, and training, aligning with India’s strategic goal of achieving self-reliance in critical defence technologies.
Delivering the welcome address director of IIT Kanpur Prof. Manindra Agrawal said, “India aims to become a global hub for drone technology, with strong government support driving this vision. Certification, testing, and R&D are key pillars in realising this goal. IIT Kanpur has the infrastructure to facilitate these efforts, including an airstrip, flight lab, and prototyping facilities that can help with drone design and production on campus. Several drones have already been designed and manufactured at IIT Kanpur, with some handed over to the defence sector and others in the pipeline. We firmly believe that discussions like these will play a significant role in establishing India as a leader in drone technology.”
Director general, MP-IDSA, Ambassador Sujan R. Chinoy outlined the broader vision behind the workshop and how it aligns with India’s strategic ambitions in drone technology. He said, “The two-day deliberation focused on policy incentives and collaboration between government and non-government entities required to achieve Aatmanirbharta in the drone sector. Discussions revolved around three key focus areas: Infrastructure Development, Technology Development and Integration, and Ecosystem Development. IIT Kanpur has the human resources and infrastructure to position itself as a hub for drone technology. With access to the Kanpur Defense Corridor and a strong network of startups, the institute is well-placed to drive innovation and advancements in this field.”
Chief advisor to chief minister Yogi Adityanath, Awnish Awasthi shared the Uttar Pradesh government’s perspective on drone research and development initiatives. He said, “For Uttar Pradesh, IIT Kanpur is a premier research institute and a leading hub for drone technology. The centre of excellence here is a matter of pride for both the state and the country. Drones have diverse applications beyond defence, including agriculture, surveying, and traffic management, among others. The Uttar Pradesh government is keen on advancing high-tech sectors, and as an innovation hub of the country, IIT Kanpur has the state’s full support in its work in the drone sector.”
Director and senior executive vice president for L&T’s defence business, J.D. Patil provided insights from the industry’s standpoint on drone development. Participants were given a guided tour of IIT Kanpur’s state-of-the-art drone research and testing facilities, including the Smart Systems and Operations Lab, Flight Lab, UAV Lab, Drone Centre of Excellence, Helicopter and VTOL Lab, National Wind Tunnel Facility, EMI/EMC Facility, and the C3i Centre. These facilities play a pivotal role in advancing drone design, testing, and certification.
Under infrastructure development, participants deliberated on the establishment of a 24×7 aerial testing ecosystem, specialised laboratory infrastructure, and advanced testing and certification facilities. The Technology Development and Integration discussions focused on the indigenous development of critical UAV components, civil-military technology integration, and the establishment of standards and certification frameworks. Meanwhile, the ecosystem development track explored collaborations between defence organisations, academia, and industry, the development of Indian drone standards, and the creation of comprehensive testing protocols.
The closing session was led by Prof. A.K. Ghosh from the Department of Aerospace Engineering, IIT Kanpur, who summarised the workshop’s key takeaways and action items. Looking ahead, the insights from this workshop will serve as a foundation for ongoing discussions in collaboration with MP-IDSA to refine and implement strategic initiatives aimed at strengthening India’s drone technology ecosystem.
Bharat Forge and VEDA Aeronautics Collaborate Made in India Unmanned Systems
Bharat Forge Ltd (BFL) and VEDA Aeronautics (P) Ltd (VEDA) signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) to develop state-of-the-art Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAV) and other high-speed aerial weapon systems used in the battlefield. While VEDA has been engaged in shaping the unmanned system technology for defence services, BFL will supply the micro jet engines used in these unmanned systems. The MoU is expected to play a vital role in leveraging each other’s capabilities to strengthen India’s defence capabilities and contributing to national self-reliance.
CEO-Aerospace Division, Bharat Forge Guru Biswal said, “This MoU with VEDA is a testimony of our commitment to work for an ‘Aatmanirbhar Bharat’, and to create niche technologies that shall support Indian and global requirements in the evolving technological landscape of warfare. BFL will focus on indigenous development of jet engines up to 400 Kgf thrust to power the unmanned systems developed for Indian defence forces. The 40 & 45 Kgf engines developed by BFL are under serial production and will be used by VEDA for all defence projects.
Managing director of VEDA Aeronautics, Dipesh Gupta said, “We are thrilled to announce our strategic partnership with BFL aerospace which will supply small jet engines for all defence & other unmanned system projects of VEDA Aeronautics. This endeavour underscores our unwavering commitment to innovation, heralding a new era of technological advancement and strategic prowess in the aerospace domain specific to Long Range Combat UAV Systems, High Speed Aerial Targets and Multi Barrel Launched Jet Based UAV Systems.”
Garuda Aerospace and HFCL sign MoU for AI in Indigenous UAV Technology
Garuda Aerospace signed a MoU with Himachal Futuristic Communications Limited (HFCL) at Aero India 2025. This collaboration combines HFCL’s expertise in advanced payload systems with Garuda Aerospace’s leadership in UAV manufacturing and deployment, marking a significant step in strengthening India’s UAV ecosystem.
According to the Garuda press release, this partnership will drive innovation across critical sectors, including defence, agriculture, surveillance, industrial inspection, disaster response, and logistics. HFCL will focus on designing advanced payloads such as EO/IR sensors, LiDAR, and AI-driven communication systems, while Garuda Aerospace will integrate these technologies into its UAV platforms, ensuring seamless deployment for both commercial and defence applications.
Under this MOU, drones will be equipped with AI capabilities to support various applications, including disaster management with thermal imaging drones for search, rescue, and damage assessment. Industrial inspections through high-resolution cameras and 5G-enabled drone networks for smart city surveillance will also be tapped. Additionally, AI-powered cargo drones will optimise logistics and urban mobility. The partnership will further involve joint research in AI, machine learning, and sensor fusion technologies, driving the development of next-gen UAV systems with extended flight times, autonomy, and swarm capabilities.
Founder & CEO, Garuda Aerospace Agnishwar Jayaprakash said “We are building a foundation for next-generation drones that will strengthen UAV technology. This collaboration gives Garuda a significant competitive advantage, enabling us to offer our customers the most advanced drone solutions available. The integration of high-performance payload technology for our drones will benefit various sectors, reducing our reliance on foreign suppliers and boosting our ‘Make in India’ initiative.”
Executive president (defence business), HFCL Sampathkumaran S.T. said, “The partnership with Garuda Aerospace represents a powerful synergy. HFCL is committed to driving technological innovation across sectors. By combining our technological strengths, we are together building a future where drones are integral to national security, economic growth, and humanitarian efforts. We’re proud to be part of this ‘Make in India’ initiative and excited to see the impact of our joint efforts on a global scale.”
The partnership aims to accelerate large scale drone deployment, boosting indigenous manufacturing and creating opportunities for global market expansion.