India’s rapidly expanding drone industry took centre stage at Drone Expo 2026, a two-day technology showcase organised by Services International.
The event brought together developers, manufacturers, policymakers and end users, with participation from over 70 brands and exhibitors. More than 8,000 business visitors and industry delegates attended, highlighting strong momentum in the country’s unmanned aerial vehicle sector.
Defence to agriculture under one roof
The expo featured live drone demonstrations and strong representation from defence, agriculture, surveillance, logistics, mapping and industrial sectors.
Pallavi Srivastava said the exhibition reflected how India’s drone ecosystem is evolving rapidly and becoming a major platform for networking and innovation.
Urban air taxi grabs attention
One of the biggest attractions was a prototype single-seater urban air taxi developed by Air Bike Mylu.
Co-founder Manjunath said the electric vertical takeoff and landing system is designed for smart cities and short-distance commuting between high-rise clusters.
The current model has a 10-km range and 10-minute endurance, with plans to extend this to 40–45 km and one hour within a year.
Indigenous defence systems showcased
Excel UAV presented advanced defence systems including the S4 drone, capable of flying 160 km for three hours.
The company also unveiled the ‘Vinashak’ counter-drone platform designed to detect and neutralise hostile drones at lower cost.
Industry growth gaining pace
Experts at the event noted that India now has over 160 type-approved drones for commercial use, supported by a growing certification framework.
With startups and established firms participating, the expo reflected India’s rising strength in indigenous innovation and future-ready technologies