- The Indian Air Force (IAF) conducted an industry outreach programme focusing on its Unmanned and Autonomous Systems (UAS) roadmap. - The initiative aims to bridge the gap between military requirements and domestic industry capabilities, fostering indigenous research, development, and manufacturing. - Emphasized collaboration with MSMEs, startups, and academic institutions to drive technological innovation in autonomous defense systems. - Aligns with the broader national goal of Aatmanirbhar Bharat (self-reliance) in defense production. - **Aatmanirbhar Bharat:** A flagship national initiative launched by the Government of India aimed at achieving self-reliance across key economic and strategic sectors, particularly in defense manufacturing by promoting domestic design, development, and production. - **iDEX (Innovations for Defence Excellence):** An initiative launched by the Ministry of Defence to foster innovation and technology development in defense and aerospace by engaging startups, MSMEs, individual innovators, and academia. - **Indian Air Force (IAF):** The air arm of the Indian Armed Forces tasked with securing Indian airspace and conducting aerial warfare, currently undergoing transformation through indigenization and unmanned systems integration. **Introduction** The Indian Air Force (IAF) organized an industry outreach programme to discuss its roadmap for Unmanned and Autonomous Systems. The event sought to engage domestic industries, startups, and MSMEs to develop indigenous autonomous and unmanned technologies, boosting defense manufacturing self-reliance under Aatmanirbhar Bharat. **Core Issue and Detailed Points** - The Indian Air Force (IAF) conducted an industry outreach programme focusing on its Unmanned and Autonomous Systems (UAS) roadmap. - The initiative aims to bridge the gap between military requirements and domestic industry capabilities, fostering indigenous research, development, and manufacturing. - Emphasized collaboration with MSMEs, startups, and academic institutions to drive technological innovation in autonomous defense systems. - Aligns with the broader national goal of Aatmanirbhar Bharat (self-reliance) in defense production. **Key Statutory Bodies, Acts & Concepts** - **Aatmanirbhar Bharat:** A flagship national initiative launched by the Government of India aimed at achieving self-reliance across key economic and strategic sectors, particularly in defense manufacturing by promoting domestic design, development, and production. - **iDEX (Innovations for Defence Excellence):** An initiative launched by the Ministry of Defence to foster innovation and technology development in defense and aerospace by engaging startups, MSMEs, individual innovators, and academia. - **Indian Air Force (IAF):** The air arm of the Indian Armed Forces tasked with securing Indian airspace and conducting aerial warfare, currently undergoing transformation through indigenization and unmanned systems integration.