Defence Innovation Hackathon
The Peninsula Foundation
📌 About the Program
The Defence Innovation Hackathon is a flagship national event organized as part of the Peninsula Defence & Aerospace Summit (PDAS) 2026 by The Peninsula Foundation (TPF), Chennai.
The hackathon aims to bridge military operational needs with industrial and student innovation, serving as a catalyst for building sovereign, self-reliant, and indigenous defence capabilities in line with India’s defense modernization vision.
🗓️ Key Highlights & Timeline
- Organized By: The Peninsula Foundation (TPF)
- Summit Event: Peninsula Defence & Aerospace Summit 2026 (PDAS 2026)
- Venue: Chennai Trade Centre, Chennai, Tamil Nadu
- Hackathon Dates: November 20 – November 22, 2026 (3 Days)
- Registration Status: Open / Active
- Application Mode: Online (via official PDAS 2026 portal)
💡 Tracks & Problem Statements
The competition features 75 structured problem statements spread across 07 specialized tracks:
- T-01: Sentinel AI – AI/ML applications for defence, threat detection, and tactical decision support.
- T-02: Forge India – Advanced manufacturing, materials science, and indigenous production tech.
- T-03: Orbit Shield – Space-tech, satellite communications, and orbital defence systems.
- T-04: Cipher Net – Secure communications, cyber-defence, and encrypted networking.
- T-05: Iron Foundry – Precision engineering, heavy machinery, and structural military hardware.
- T-06: Open Format (Drone Systems) – Open track for drone-based systems (ISR, logistics, counter-UAS, electronic warfare, swarm operations, etc.).
- T-07: Open Format (RC Aircraft Systems) – Open track for RC/fixed-wing aircraft solutions (target simulation, ISR, decoy platforms, low-cost attritable systems).
👥 Target Audience & Stakeholders
- Participants: Students, innovators, developers, researchers, startups, and defence enthusiasts across India.
- Summit Network: Government & military officials, public & private integrators, R&D professionals, and aerospace industry leaders.
💰 Rewards & Opportunities
- Opportunity to solve real-world military and paramilitary operational challenges.
- High-visibility platform to showcase solutions directly before government, military, and industry leaders at PDAS 2026.
- Potential incubation, networking, and industry integration pathways.
📞 Contact Details
- Organizing Secretariat: The Peninsula Foundation (TPF)
- Address: Old No 16, New No 17, Crescent Road, Shenoy Nagar, Chennai – 600030, Tamil Nadu, India
- Phone: +91 63694 48490
- Email:
pdas@thepeninsula.org.in