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The fifth annual DRONTEX conference will bring together defense officials, public sector representatives, regulatory authorities, and technology leaders in Piešťany, Slovakia, from 14 to 15 October 2026 to discuss the future of unmanned aerial systems and airspace security.
Organized by the civic association Mám Dron alongside the Adapt Institute think tank, and held under the official auspices of the Ministry of Transport of the Slovak Republic, the event serves as a primary Central European forum for unmanned aircraft systems (UAS), counter-drone detection systems (cUAS), and airspace management. The 2026 edition emphasizes national airspace security, critical infrastructure protection, dual-use technology development, and the integration of drone capabilities into both civilian and defense environments across Visegrad Group (V4) nations and broader Europe.
The conference program is structured into three primary thematic blocks designed to address key technical and regulatory challenges. The first block addresses legislative harmonization across the V4 region, examining the impact of European standards on market scalability, privacy protection, liability for airspace damages, and U-space coordination.
The second block focuses on integrating UAS and cUAS platforms into national defense strategies, highlighting military applications alongside the protection of critical infrastructure, borders, and strategic sites against aerial threats. The final block explores Drone as a Service (DaaS) operational models across logistics, healthcare, search and rescue, and general industry, focusing on technical interoperability, data protocol standardization, and civil-military cooperation.
In addition to technical presentations and panel discussions, attendees will have access to interactive workshops and dynamic Small Talks featuring rising figures in the drone industry, innovative startups, and project creators. The opening day on 14 October at the Elektrárňa Piešťany national cultural monument will conclude with an official gala dinner to support professional networking and partner engagement. The second day, hosted at the Hotel Esplanade on 15 October, will feature interactive discussions, drone simulator presentations, practical case studies, and live demonstrations of advanced uncrewed technologies in action.
