Rajnath Singh to inaugurate Bharat Drone Shakti-2023 exhibition, induct C-295 aircraft

Union Defence Minister Rajnath Singh will inaugurate the Bharat Drone Shakti- 2023 exhibition at the Hindon Air Base in Ghaziabad, Uttar Pradesh on Monday, September 25.  The exhibition will be showcasing indigenously developing drones, often referred to as the future of warfare. The exhibition marks a step towards harnessing the full potential of transformative technology for the nation. The Defence Minister will also be formally inducting C-295 aircraft which is being procured by New Delhi from Airbus. 

The exhibition is scheduled for two days, September 25 and 26, where the organisers will be featuring live aerial demonstrations. The exhibition will be focused on the capabilities of the Indian drone industry with a line up of over 50 live aerial demonstrations. These demonstrations will encompass a diverse range of drone applications, including survey drones, agriculture drones, fire suppression drones, tactical surveillance drones, heavy-lift logistics drones, loitering munition systems, drone swarms, and counter-drone solutions

The drone exhibition is being jointly hosted by the Indian Air Force (IAF) in collaboration with the Drone Federation of India. The IAF has collaborated with the Drone Federation after realising the potential of indigenous drones, reported ANI. Over 75 drone startups and corporate entities will be participating in the exhibition and is expected to draw over 5000 attendees. 

Induction of C-295 aircraft 

The Union Minister will also induct the C-295 transport aircraft into the Indian Air Force at the event in presence of top military officials including air force chief Air Chief Marshal VR Chaudhari. Earlier this week, the Indian Air Force received the first C-295 aircraft, two years after New Delhi sealed a deal with Airbus Defence and Space. Under the Rs 21,935-crore deal, Airbus will deliver the first 16 aircraft in ‘fly-away’ condition from its final assembly line in Seville by 2025. The remaining 40 aircrafts will be manufactured and assembled by Tata Advanced Systems (TASL) in India as part of an industrial partnership between the two companies.

Representatives from central government agencies, state departments, public and private industries, armed forces, paramilitary forces, friendly foreign countries, academic institutions, students, and drone enthusiasts are expected to visit the exhibition. Earlier, the IAF had initiated the Meher Baba Swarm Drone Competition in order to showcase the nation's drone capability.

(With inputs from agencies)