Adani Defence and Aerospace has delivered a second Drishti-10 Starliner unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) to the Indian Navy, expanding its maritime surveillance capabilities. The induction of the UAV will support operations at Porbandar, Gujarat, following the delivery of the first Drishti-10 earlier this year.
The Drishti-10 Starliner, produced at Adani Defence’s Hyderabad facility, is a medium-altitude long-endurance (MALE) UAV modeled on Israel’s Hermes 900 platform. It features a flight endurance of 36 hours and a payload capacity of 450 kilograms. The UAV is certified under NATO’s STANAG 4671 airworthiness standards, enabling its deployment in both segregated and unsegregated airspace.
Designed for intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance (ISR) operations, the Drishti-10 supports autonomous over-the-horizon missions through satellite communication. Its advanced payloads enhance the Navy’s ability to monitor vast maritime zones and address challenges such as piracy and the security of shipping routes.
Adani Defence has also supplied the Drishti-10 to the Indian Army, which is deploying the UAV at its Bathinda base in Punjab for border surveillance operations.
The company has noted that the Drishti-10 has been tested in diverse environments, including high-altitude Himalayan regions and maritime operations along India’s western coast.
During a visit to the Porbandar base, Rear Admiral Janak Bevli, Assistant Chief of Naval Staff (Air), reviewed the UAV’s operations and engaged with the development team led by KVR Raju, Technical Head of UAVs and Missiles at Adani Defence.
The Drishti-10’s introduction is part of broader efforts to enhance indigenous defense manufacturing and expand India’s defense capabilities.
Tuesday, December 10, 2024