New Delhi: The Indian Navy has inducted the second Drishti-10 Starliner surveillance drone manufactured by the Adani Defence and Aerospace, boosting its maritime capabilities to monitor shipping lines and curb piracy.
The Adani Defence and Aerospace handed over the first Drishti-10 to the Navy in January this year and the second in June. The second Drishti-10 is a medium-altitude long-endurance UAV. Its induction into naval maritime operations was initiated at Porbandar in Gujarat.
Drishti-10 Starliner drone is an advanced intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance (ISR) platform with 36 hours endurance and 450 kg payload capacity. The only all-weather military platform, certified by NATO’s STANAG 4671 (standardised agreement 4671) for its airworthiness, is cleared to fly in both segregated and unsegregated airspace.
The platform provides over the horizon, persistent multi payload, fully autonomous capabilities and Satcom-based operations. The Drishti-10 is a force multiplier providing the Navy with the ability to monitor vast maritime territories and unparalleled situational awareness, sources said.
The induction marks the first-ever integration of such an advanced payload suites onto a MALE platform, enabling the Indian Navy with differentiated capabilities to dominate maritime surveillance.
Medium Altitude Long Endurance (MALE) is a type of unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) that can fly at altitudes of 10,000 to 30,000 feet. MALE UAVs are typically used for surveillance and reconnaissance, and can have a flight endurance of 24 to 48 hours.
The Drishti-10 Starliner has been delivered by Adani Defence to the Indian Army as well. The Indian Army, which has ordered two such drones, will deploy the first at its Bhatinda base in Punjab from where it can keep an eye on the entire western border with Pakistan.
Exemplifying a new era for India’s indigenous unmanned defence capabilities, Drishti-10 has reached significant milestones through its flight operations in Porbandar and Bhatinda by the Indian Navy and the Indian Army.
India’s only indigenous UAV, Drishti-10 operates reliably above 32,000+ feet with large payload carrying capacity and distinctive long endurance. Proving its resilience over the challenging terrains and climates of the Himalayas, it has not only endured in harsh conditions but excelled, sources said. This performance reinforces India’s capacity for innovation and strength under pressure, serving as a testament to our country’s unwavering resolve to protect and advance our strategic interests, they added.
Moreover, the Drishti 10 Starliner embodies more than a single achievement – it reflects a larger vision for India’s defence future. In less than three years, Adani Defence has achieved what traditionally takes five to six years in the industry, delivering MALE UAV capabilities to both the Indian Army and Navy.
During a recent visit to the Porbandar base, Rear Admiral Janak Bevli, VSM, Assistant Chief of the Naval Staff (Air), reviewed the ongoing operations and engaged with the Adani Defence team, led by AVM KVR Raju, VM (Retd.), Technical Head, UAVs & Missiles.
As a testament to the seamless collaboration between Adani Defence and the Indian Navy, driven by a shared commitment to safeguarding maritime interests, the induction, sources said, marks a defining moment in India’s journey towards self-reliance in defence technology.
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