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News: The Indian Air Force launched Mehar Baba Competition-3, with registrations starting from 27 April 2026 for drone-based radar innovation.
About Mehar Baba Competition-3
- Launched by: Mehar Baba Competition-3 (MBC-3) is the third edition of a defence innovation competition launched by the Indian Air Force.
- Launched In: Mehar Baba Competition was originally launched in 2018.
- Theme of MBC-3: The theme is “Collaborative Drone-Based Surveillance Radars.”
- Aim: The aim is to develop a proof of concept for a collaborative swarm of Unmanned Aerial Systems acting as airborne radar to detect, track, and report aerial targets with accurate location sharing.
- Name after: The competition is named after Mehar Singh, a pioneering air veteran and Maha Vir Chakra awardee.
- Eligibility: Indian industries, start-ups, academic institutions, and research establishments are eligible to participate.
- Key Aspects of MBC-3:
- Innovation Support: Meritorious participants will receive development funding from the Indian Air Force, and top three winners will be awarded prizes.
- Technological Focus: The competition focuses on advanced drone and radar technologies using swarm-based Unmanned Aerial Systems in contested environments.
- Strategic Importance: It promotes indigenous innovation and supports the ‘Atmanirbhar Bharat’ initiative by encouraging local technical talent to solve complex defence challenges.
About Air Commodore Mehar Singh
- MBC is conducted in the honour of the legendary air veteran Air Commodore Mehar Singh, affectionately known as Mehar Baba.
- He was born in the district of Lyallapur in 1915 and joined the Royal Air Force College, Cranwell in 1934.
- Mehar Baba earned the respect of his fellow airmen with his flying skills.
- At the age of 29, he was awarded the Distinguished Service Order (DSO) for effective leadership and personal bravery.
- Out of his many achievements, the mission led by him carrying the first contingent of the Indian Army in a Dakota aircraft to Srinagar in 1947 is the most memorable.
- He also has the distinction of being the first to land at Leh, the highest airstrip in the world then.
- Mehar Baba was the first IAF recipient to be awarded with Maha Vir Chakra.
