Adani Defence and Aerospace has made a significant advancement in enhancing India’s maritime monitoring capabilities by delivering a second Drishti-10 Starliner surveillance drone to the Indian Navy. This addition aims to strengthen the country’s efforts in combating piracy and securing its maritime borders.
The Drishti-10 serves as a variant of Israel’s Hermes 900 medium-altitude long-endurance unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) and was integrated into naval operations at Porbandar in Gujarat. This followed the successful deployment of the first Drishti-10 drone earlier this year, marking a notable evolution in naval reconnaissance capabilities.
Manufactured at Adani Defence’s Hyderabad facility, the Drishti-10 Starliner drone stands out as a sophisticated platform for intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance missions, featuring impressive specifications, including a 36-hour endurance and a payload capacity of 450 kg. These attributes render the drone an invaluable asset for various naval operations.
One of the remarkable distinctions of the Drishti-10 is its certification under NATO’s STANAG 4671, which affirms its airworthiness in all weather conditions. This certification empowers the drone to operate in both segregated and unsegregated airspace, thereby enhancing its operational flexibility.
Sources indicate that the Drishti-10 provides an array of capabilities, including over-the-horizon persistent multi-payload operations, full autonomy, and Satcom-based functionalities. It acts as a critical force multiplier for the Indian Navy, facilitating effective oversight of expansive maritime regions and boosting situational awareness.
Furthermore, this deployment marks a historic milestone in integrating advanced payload suites onto a Medium Altitude Long Endurance (MALE) platform within the Indian Navy, establishing a new frontier in maritime surveillance capacities. In addition to its naval integration, Adani Defence has also delivered the Drishti-10 to the Indian Army, with the first of the two drones slated for deployment at the Bhatinda base in Punjab to monitor the western border with Pakistan.
The successful flight operations of the Drishti-10 at both the Porbandar naval base and the Bhatinda Army base epitomize a significant leap forward in India’s indigenous unmanned defense capabilities. It is noteworthy that the Drishti-10 is the sole indigenous UAV in India capable of operating at altitudes above 32,000 feet while maintaining a substantial payload capacity and extended endurance. The drone has shown remarkable performance under challenging conditions, including harsh terrains and climates like those found in the Himalayas, underscoring India’s innovative prowess and determination to protect its strategic interests.
The accomplishment of the Drishti-10 Starliner symbolizes a broader vision for the future of India’s defense sector. Achieving this outcome in less than three years—a timeline considerably shorter than the usual five to six years seen in the industry—Adani Defence has successfully introduced MALE UAV capabilities to both the Army and Navy.
During a recent visit to the Porbandar base, Rear Admiral Janak Bevli, Assistant Chief of the Naval Staff (Air), conducted oversight of ongoing operations and engaged with the Adani Defence team led by AVM KVR Raju, the Technical Head of UAVs & Missiles.
The introduction of this advanced technology marks a pivotal chapter in India’s pursuit of self-sufficiency in defense innovation, highlighting the strong collaboration between Adani Defence and the Indian Navy. This partnership emphasizes a collective commitment to safeguarding maritime interests and represents a significant leap toward enhancing national security.
