Adani Defence Delivers Second Drishti-10 Drone to Indian Navy
Adani Defence and Aerospace has delivered a second Drishti-10 Starliner surveillance drone to the Indian Navy, further bolstering the country's maritime monitoring capabilities and efforts to combat piracy. This advanced platform, a variant of Israel's Hermes 900 UAV, was integrated into naval operations at Porbandar in Gujarat, following the successful deployment of the first drone earlier this year.
Manufactured at Adani's Hyderabad facility, the Drishti-10 boasts a 36-hour endurance and a 450 kg payload capacity, making it an invaluable asset for naval operations. It is the sole military platform approved for all-weather operations, holding NATO's STANAG 4671 certification for airworthiness, allowing it to fly in both segregated and unsegregated airspace.
The Drishti-10 offers over-the-horizon, persistent multi-payload capabilities, fully autonomous functions, and Satcom-based operations. It serves as a force multiplier for the Indian Navy, enabling efficient monitoring of vast maritime territories and enhancing situational awareness.
This marks the historic integration of advanced payload suites onto a Medium Altitude Long Endurance (MALE) platform for the first time, providing the Indian Navy with unique capabilities for maritime surveillance. Adani Defence also delivered the Drishti-10 Starliner to the Indian Army.
The Indian Navy received the first Drishti-10 Starliner in January, followed by the second delivery to the Army in June. The first of the two drones ordered by the Indian Army will be deployed at its Bhatinda base in Punjab to monitor the entire western border with Pakistan.
The successful flight operations of Drishti-10 in Porbandar and Bhatinda mark a significant advancement in India's indigenous unmanned defense capabilities. Drishti-10, the sole indigenous UAV in India capable of operating above 32,000 feet with a large payload capacity and extended endurance, has demonstrated its resilience in challenging conditions, including the harsh terrains and climates of the Himalayas.
This performance highlights India's innovative capacity and strength under pressure, showcasing our commitment to safeguard and advance our strategic interests.
Furthermore, the Drishti-10 Starliner represents more than just a singular accomplishment – it signifies a broader vision for the future of India's defense sector. Within a compressed timeframe of under three years, Adani Defence has achieved what typically requires five to six years in the industry, successfully delivering MALE UAV capabilities to both the Indian Army and Navy.
This collaboration underscores a joint dedication to protecting maritime interests and reflects a momentous stride towards national security.