Adani Defence and Aerospace has successfully delivered a second Drishti-10 Starliner surveillance drone to the Indian Navy, enhancing the capabilities of India’s maritime forces in monitoring shipping lanes and addressing piracy threats. This delivery follows the handover of the first Drishti-10 to the Indian Navy in January, and the new UAV was integrated into naval operations at the Porbandar facility in Gujarat. The Drishti-10 drone, developed at Adani’s Hyderabad facility and modeled after Israel’s Hermes 900 medium-altitude long-endurance UAV, serves as a sophisticated intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance (ISR) platform, boasting an impressive 36-hour flight endurance and a payload capacity of 450 kg.
This UAV is recognized as the only all-weather military platform awarded NATO’s STANAG 4671 certification, ensuring its airworthiness for flights in both segregated and unsegregated airspace. The Drishti-10 offers persistent over-the-horizon capabilities, fully autonomous operations, and Satcom-based communication, which significantly enhance the Indian Navy’s operational range and situational awareness. The drone acts as a force multiplier, allowing for extensive monitoring of maritime territories.
Importantly, the integration of advanced payload suites on this medium-altitude long-endurance UAV marks a significant milestone for the Indian Navy. As part of its expanding capabilities, the Drishti-10 will enable differentiated maritime surveillance operations.
Previously, Adani Defence had delivered a Drishti-10 to the Indian Army in June, with plans for the Army’s first deployment at its base in Bhatinda, Punjab, aimed at overseeing the western border with Pakistan. The performance of the Drishti-10 in recent flight operations has demonstrated reliability and resilience, particularly in the challenging terrains and climate of the Himalayas, showcasing India’s growing prowess in indigenous defense technology.
In just under three years, Adani Defence has developed and delivered MALE UAV capabilities, achieving what typically requires five to six years in the defense sector. Rear Admiral Janak Bevli recently visited Porbandar to assess ongoing operations and engage with the Adani Defence team, highlighting the collaborative efforts between the defense sector and the company to enhance India’s self-reliance in defense technology.
This milestone delivery underscores a broader vision for India’s defense industry, reflecting a commitment to protecting and advancing national strategic interests while reinforcing the country’s capacity for innovation amid challenges.
