On 14–15 October 2026, the fifth edition of the international DRONTEX 2026 conference will take place at the Elektrárňa Piešťany national cultural monument and the Hotel Esplanade. The event, organized by the civic association Mám Dron in cooperation with the Adapt Institute think tank and held under the official auspices of the Ministry of Transport of the Slovak Republic, represents a key Central European forum focused on unmanned aircraft systems (UAS), counter-drone detection systems (cUAS), and airspace management.
The Future of the Drone Ecosystem in the V4 Region and Europe
DRONTEX 2026 aims to bring together representatives of the public sector, defense and security forces, academia, regulatory authorities, and technology industry leaders from Visegrad Group (V4) countries and beyond. The main themes of the 2026 edition are national airspace security, critical infrastructure protection, the development of dual-use technologies, and the integration of drone services into both civilian and security environments.
Thematic Areas and a Diverse Range of Program Formats
The conference’s professional program will offer a wide range of interactive formats. Attendees can look forward to expert presentations, panel discussions, and specialized workshops covering legislation, security, and technological innovation.
Also returning are the popular Small Talks — dynamic conversations with rising figures in the drone industry, innovative start-ups, and creators of interesting technology projects. The first day of the event (14 October) will culminate in a gala dinner, providing an ideal setting for building new partnerships and networking.
Main Conference Thematic Blocks:
- Legislative Harmonization and the Development of Drone Potential in the V4
This block will focus on harmonizing regulatory frameworks and drone operations across the V4 region.
Experts will assess the impact of European standards on innovation potential and market scalability, while also
addressing key issues such as legal challenges, privacy protection, liability for airspace-related damages, and U-
space coordination. - UAS and cUAS as an Integrated Part of National Security
This discussion will offer perspectives on integrating unmanned, autonomous, and counter-drone systems into
national defense strategies and systems. Attention will be given to both military applications and the protection
of critical infrastructure, borders, and strategic sites against aerial threats. - Drone as a Service (DaaS) and Sector-Specific Applications
The closing block will explore the diverse applications of unmanned systems in industry, search and rescue
(SAR), healthcare, and logistics. Speakers will focus on technical interoperability, data protocol standardization,
and case studies of civil-military cooperation in the field of dual-use technologies.
Day Two: Interactive Talks, Live Demonstrations, and Networking
The second day’s program (15 October) at the Hotel Esplanade will consist of interactive talks, hands-on demonstrations, and scheduled networking sessions. Visitors will see live demonstrations of advanced technologies in action, presentations of drone simulators, and concrete case studies from practice.
More information, the detailed program, and the registration form can be found at: www.drontex.eu
About the Organizers:
The Mám Dron Association is a civic association whose goal is to raise awareness of the safe and responsible use of unmanned aircraft, support the development of the drone ecosystem, and create a platform connecting professional and general audiences in Slovakia and the V4 region.
Adapt Institute is an independent Slovak analytical think tank focused on defense and security policy. Through research, education, and expert discussion, it contributes to cultivating the security community and developing strategic thinking in Slovakia.
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