- Registrations open April 27 for cutting-edge drone radar innovation challenge
- Theme ‘Collaborative Drone-Based Surveillance Radars’ to power next-gen aerospace ideas
- Funding, national recognition and real-world defence impact await young innovators
- Start-ups, academia and industry invited to co-create India’s aerial defence future
- Legacy of Air Commodore Mehar Singh inspires bold, indigenous breakthroughs
NE DEFENCE BUREAU
NEW DELHI, APR 24
Igniting young minds with the spirit of innovation and the courage to dream big, the Indian Air Force (IAF) has announced the launch of Mehar Baba Competition-3 (MBC-3)—a national platform designed to give wings to cutting-edge ideas in drone and radar technology. Registrations for this high-impact challenge begin on April 27, 2026, inviting India’s brightest youth to take their ambitions to new heights.
The theme for this edition—“Collaborative Drone-Based Surveillance Radars”—pushes participants to develop a proof of concept for a swarm of unmanned aerial systems functioning as airborne radar. These intelligent systems are envisioned to detect, track and report aerial targets in complex environments while relaying precise data to a central monitoring station—an innovation with transformative defence applications.
The IAF has underscored that meritorious participants will receive development funding, with the top three teams honoured with prestigious awards, making MBC-3 not just a competition, but a launchpad for real-world impact.
Calling upon innovators across the nation, the IAF stated, “IAF invites Indian industries, start-ups, academic institutions and research establishments to participate in the competition and be a part of the next wave of aerospace innovation.”
Since its inception, the Mehar Baba Competition has evolved into a powerful bridge between academia, industry and defence users. The previous editions—focused on ‘Swarm Drones for Humanitarian Assistance and Disaster Relief Operations’ and ‘Swarm Drone Based Foreign Object Debris Detection’—garnered overwhelming participation and helped generate orders worth nearly ₹2000 crore for the unmanned systems sector.
More than a contest, MBC is a mission to accelerate indigenous technology development and empower youth to solve real-world aviation challenges. It embodies the vision of a self-reliant India while nurturing a vibrant ecosystem of innovators.
Named in honour of the legendary Air Commodore Mehar Singh (Mehar Baba)—a decorated war hero known for his fearless flying and historic missions—the competition carries forward a legacy of excellence, courage and pioneering spirit.
For aspiring innovators, this is the moment to ignite their “wings of fire” and prepare for take-off into the future of aerospace.
