Completion of Mehar Baba Competition-II

The Indian Air Force (IAF) has successfully wrapped up the second edition of the Mehar Baba Competition-II (MBC-II), a crucial initiative aimed at advancing India’s capabilities in unmanned and autonomous aerial vehicles (UAVs). This competition, launched on April 6, 2022, by the Honourable Raksha Mantri, was designed to develop swarm drone-based systems for detecting foreign objects on aircraft operating surfaces. The initiative concluded on July 29, 2024, marking a key milestone in strengthening collaboration between Indian industry, academia, and end-users.

How Was the Selection Process Conducted?

The competition attracted 129 applicants, all vying to showcase their technological prowess. A Committee of Experts (CoE), consisting of specialists from both IAF and civilian institutions, rigorously evaluated the submissions. The event unfolded over four phases, with teams facing multiple rounds of technical and operational assessments. Ultimately, four teams were selected for the final phase, where their drone solutions were tested for real-world applications.

The winners of MBC-II were:

• Ayaan Autonomous Systems Pvt Ltd, Pune – First Prize
• Fleet RF Pvt Ltd, Greater Noida – First Runner-Up

This selection process ensured that the best technological solutions emerged, further pushing India’s UAV industry towards global competitiveness.

How Does This Impact the Indian Economy and Job Market?

Beyond fostering innovation, MBC-II has had a direct economic impact on India’s defense and drone ecosystem. Over the past three years, the competition has led to orders exceeding ₹1,000 crores, with multiple industries, including the armed forces, showing significant interest.

Additionally, MBC-II has played a crucial role in employment generation, particularly for young talent. Thousands of jobs have been created, with many positions filled by fresh graduates from colleges and universities. This initiative has not only accelerated workforce development but also contributed to making India a hub for drone technology and research.

How Does This Align with India’s Vision for Drones?

The completion of MBC-II aligns perfectly with the Honourable Prime Minister’s vision of making India a global leader in drone technology by 2030. By promoting indigenous research and encouraging collaboration between startups, academia, and defense forces, this initiative strengthens India’s self-reliance in defense and UAV manufacturing.

This competition also serves as a stepping stone for future technological advancements in unmanned aerial systems (UAS), paving the way for India to lead in the global drone industry.

Summary of the news

Topic	Details
Why in News?	Mehar Baba Competition-II (MBC-II), launched by IAF on April 6, 2022, concluded on July 29, 2024. It aimed at developing swarm drone-based systems for detecting foreign objects on aircraft operating surfaces. Ayaan Autonomous Systems Pvt Ltd, Pune, won, while Fleet RF Pvt Ltd, Greater Noida, was the runner-up. The initiative led to ₹1,000+ crore in orders and created thousands of jobs.
Organizer	Indian Air Force (IAF)
Launch Date	April 6, 2022
Completion Date	July 29, 2024
Objective	Development of swarm drone-based systems for foreign object detection on aircraft surfaces
Total Applicants	129
Finalists	4 teams
Winner	Ayaan Autonomous Systems Pvt Ltd, Pune
Runner-Up	Fleet RF Pvt Ltd, Greater Noida
Economic Impact	Orders exceeding ₹1,000+ crore in 3 years
Employment	Thousands of jobs created, especially for fresh graduates
Committee of Experts (CoE)	Domain specialists from IAF and civilian institutions
National Vision Alignment	Supports India’s goal of becoming a global drone hub by 2030