The Uttar Pradesh International Trade Show opened Friday in Lucknow, drawing more than 200 exhibitors from the defence sector.
Maraal Aerospace showcased the Tejasvaan Ultra Long Endurance Solar UAV, a 12‑metre wingspan platform that can loiter for 12 hours at 10,000 feet, carrying a 5‑kg payload of day‑night and thermal cameras.
IDR Research and Development revealed a secure tactical mesh network, built by a Greater Noida startup backed by IIT Roorkee, capable of linking handheld radios, UAVs, UGVs and sensor swarms across multiple hops using AES‑256 encryption.
The two systems are designed to feed into each other: Tejasvaan can act as an airborne relay for the mesh, extending coverage into denied zones.
Defence Ministry spokesperson General Ravi Sharma said the two technologies will be tested in joint exercises next month, citing the need for rapid deployment in contested environments.
Procurement discussions are slated to begin in January 2027, with the Ministry planning to field the UAV and mesh network across Army, Navy and Air Force units, potentially reshaping India’s tactical superiority.