- Thursday, February 27, 2025
Singh also formally inducted the Spain-made C-295 MW transport aircraft into the IAF after inaugurating the exhibition.
By: Shubham Ghosh
INDIAN defence minister Rajnath Singh on Monday (25) inaugurated a drone show at the Hindon Airbase in Ghaziabad in the northern Indian state of Uttar Pradesh.
The two-day event — Bharat Drone Shakti 2023 — is being hosted by the Indian Air Force (IAF) and the Drone Federation of India (DFI).
The defence minister and India’s air chief marshal VR Chaudhari witnessed the prowess of the country’s drone industry after the inauguration of the exhibition.
At the event, live aerial demonstrations of various drone operations and applications by a number of drone companies were held.
#WATCH | Defence Minister Rajnath Singh inducts C- 295 MW transport aircraft into the Indian Air Force at Hindon Airbase in UP's Ghaziabad pic.twitter.com/Ks05Q7faNr
— ANI (@ANI) September 25, 2023
Singh also formally inducted the Spain-made C-295 MW transport aircraft into the IAF after inaugurating the exhibition.
The medium lift tactical aircraft, which is capable of taking off and landing from unprepared landing grounds, will replace the HS-748 Avro aircraft, the defence ministry said in a release. Singh also said in a post on X, formerly Twitter.
He also called the defence and aerospace sectors as two important pillars for making India self-reliant in days to come.
Attended the unveiling ceremony of C-295 MW at the Hindon Air Force Station. This medium lift tactical aircraft is capable of taking off and landing from unprepared landing grounds and it will replace the HS-748 Avro aircraft.
The induction of C-295 will bolster medium lift… pic.twitter.com/hERBXoo9qa
— Rajnath Singh (@rajnathsingh) September 25, 2023
He also visited some of the stalls at the exhibition. Officials of the DFI said around 75 drones are on static display and more 50 will be displayed aerially during the course of the show.
Inaugurated the first ever drone exhibition, ‘Bharat Drone Shakti 2023’ at Hindon Air Force Station, Ghaziabad. Drones today can be employed for a variety of military and civil applications. India is fast emerging as a major drone hub by 2030.
Witnessed the capabilities of… pic.twitter.com/WoWipywsAv
— Rajnath Singh (@rajnathsingh) September 25, 2023
In another post on X, Singh said, “Inaugurated the first ever drone exhibition, ‘Bharat Drone Shakti 2023’ at Hindon Air Force Station, Ghaziabad. Drones today can be employed for a variety of military and civil applications. India is fast emerging as a major drone hub by 2030.
“Witnessed the capabilities of several drone companies through a series of aerial & statics demonstrations.”
#WATCH | A compact system of drone that can be carried on a motorbike displayed during Bharat Drone Shakti-2023 at the Hindon Air Base in Uttar Pradesh's Ghaziabad.
Special motorbikes are customised to carry unassembled drones. Kisan drones can be transported using motorbikes… pic.twitter.com/Zc5GFvvPg4
— ANI (@ANI) September 25, 2023
Among the drones that were displayed at the event were a compact system of drones that can be carried on a motorcycle. There were kisan (farmer) drones that could be taken across rural terrain to be used in agricultural practices. Also, kamikaze drones were at display at the event.
Singh and other dignitaries were briefed on the IAF’s latest in-house innovations at the exhibition that featured projects such as hybrid drone detection system, Al engine for fault diagnosis, a fly-by-wire tester, stabilised power supply trolleys, QR code-based Tool Crib management system and modern teaching aids.
Besides Singh and Chaudhari, minister of state for civil aviation VK Singh, a retired armyman, senior officials of the three services, defence attaches and officials from friendly nations and representatives of the Indian industry were present at the event, the defence ministry said.
India has witnessed a rise in utilisation of drones in both military and civilian applications.
