The Indian Air Force (IAF) is actively seeking to develop an indigenous drone-based surveillance radar system through the Mehar Baba Competition, inviting proposals from industry, academia, and start-ups. This initiative aims to create a swarm drone system capable of detecting, tracking, and reporting aerial targets in contested environments, providing a real-time aerial picture to a centralized command. Unlike traditional, fixed radar systems that are vulnerable to attacks, the drone swarm system offers flexibility in deployment and functionality. It can be reconfigured to adapt to various operational needs, such as detecting stealth aircraft or hypersonic weapons. While the proposed system presents significant advantages in mobility and survivability, experts have flagged technical challenges, including power requirements and the need for substantial computational capabilities to maintain coordinated drone formations. The competition is named after Air Commodore Mehar Singh, a distinguished officer in the IAF, emphasizing the importance of innovation and collaboration in modern defense capabilities.