The Indian Navy has enhanced its maritime surveillance capabilities with the recent acquisition of the second ‘Drishti 10 Starliner’ unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) from Adani Defence and Aerospace. This delivery took place at the Navy’s base in Porbandar, marking a significant addition to the Navy’s operational assets designed for monitoring extensive maritime territories effectively.
The Drishti 10 is recognized for its advanced technological specifications, including a sophisticated Maritime Patrol Radar, Electronic Intelligence (ESM) capabilities, and other state-of-the-art payloads. Notably, it holds NATO’s STANAG 4671 certification, which signifies its compliance with rigorous standards for airworthiness. This certification underscores the UAV’s reliability across various operational contexts, making it a vital component of maritime defense.
During a recent visit to the Indian Navy’s Porbandar facility, Rear Admiral Janak Bevli, Assistant Chief of the Naval Staff (Air), conducted a review of ongoing operations and engaged with the Adani Defence leadership team, featuring AVM KVR Raju, VM (Retd.), who oversees UAV and missile technologies. This interaction highlighted the collaborative effort to ensure that innovation aligns with the strategic requirements of the Navy.
Earlier this year, Adani Defence had already delivered the first Drishti 10 Starliner to the Indian Navy at its facility in Hyderabad, alongside another unit that was supplied to the Indian Army and is currently deployed in Bhatinda. The Drishti 10 stands out as India’s first indigenously developed UAV capable of operating at altitudes exceeding 32,000 feet, with substantial payload capacity and long endurance capabilities. It has demonstrated its effectiveness and resilience, even in harsh conditions, particularly in the challenging terrains and climates encountered in the Himalayas.
The incorporation of the Drishti 10 UAVs into the Indian Navy’s operations signifies a strategic enhancement to national security capabilities, enabling more effective monitoring of India’s maritime borders and contributing to the overall resilience of naval operations.
