Adani Defence had previously delivered the Drishti-10 Starliner to the Indian Army as well. (File)
Adani Defence and Aerospace has delivered a second Drishti-10 Starliner surveillance drone to the Indian Navy, boosting India's maritime forces' capabilities to monitor shipping lines and mitigate piracy risks. The Drishti 10 is a force multiplier.
Following the handover of the first Drishti-10 to the Indian Navy earlier this year, the induction of the second unmanned aerial vehicles (UAV), a version of the Israel's Hermes 900 medium-altitude long-endurance UAV, into naval maritime operations was initiated at Porbandar in Gujarat.
Drishti 10 is India's only indigenous UAV that can operate reliably above 32,000 feet with a large payload carrying capacity and distinctively long endurance. It can not only endure harsh conditions but excel, proving its resilience over challenging terrains and climates of the Himalayas.
Drishti 10 Starliner is the only globally available platform with STANAG 4671 certified, allowing for its complete airspace integration, while also equipped with advanced technologies enabling it for ensuring mission continuity and reliability under adverse operating conditions usually observed in India.
It is designed to operate both in line of sight and beyond line-of-sight SATCOM operations, and conduct long endurance sorties, making it the most suitable, proven and reliable system to operate for both short range and long-range missions.
Over the years, the indigenous defence manufacturing capabilities have been significantly enhanced through setting up local manufacturing through transfer of technology from global partners. Drishti 10 Starliner offers at least 60 per cent Indigenization content as per buy Indian/ Make in India to the Indian stakeholders.
Owing to the indigenisation capabilities, Adani Defence and Aerospace offers the most advanced class of platform, Drishti 10 along with advanced payload suites at a significant (30-40 per cent) cost effective pricing; thereby significantly reducing the capital outlay from the government and saving cost for the Indian government.
Apart from the navy, the Drishti-10 Starliner was delivered to the Indian Army in June. The 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.
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.
Medium Altitude Long Endurance (MALE) is a type of 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 induction marks a defining moment in India's journey toward self-reliance in defence technology, a testament to the seamless collaboration between Adani Defence and the Indian Navy, driven by a shared commitment to safeguarding maritime interests.
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