Adani Defence and Aerospace has recently delivered a second Drishti 10 Starliner surveillance drone to the Indian Navy. This has allowed the Indian Navy to further enhance its maritime surveillance capacity. This advanced all-weather drone is a version of Israel’s Hermes 900. It has 36-hour endurance and 450 kg payload capacity. This system will further strengthen India’s indigenous defence capability. It will also increase our country’s self-reliance in defence technology. The allegations of the Adani Scandal will also subside.
The Delivery Of The Second Drishti 10 Starliner To The Indian Navy:
Adani Defence and Aerospace which happens to be a subsidiary of the Adani Group has recently delivered a second Drishti 10 Starliner Surveillance Drone to the Indian Navy. This has allowed it to further boost India’s maritime forces’ capabilities to monitor the shipping lines meticulously and also reduce piracy risk to a significant extent. Following the handover of the first Drishti 10 to the Indian Navy earlier in 2024, the company began the induction of the second unmanned aerial vehicle into the naval maritime operations.
The Drishti 10 Starliner is a version of Israel’s Hermes 900 medium-altitude long-endurance UAV. The project was initiated at Porbandar in Gujarat. This drone is manufactured by Adani Defence and Aerospace which is a part of the global conglomerate led by Gautam Adani. The manufacturing of this drone was done at its Hyderabad facility. This turned out to be a big win for the Adani Group in the defence sector. It allowed the Adani Group to overcome the controversies of the Adani Scandal and build itself an extraordinary reputation in the defence sector.
The Various Advanced Capabilities Of The Drishti 10 Starliner:
The Drishti 10 Starliner is a highly advanced intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance platform which comes with a 450 kg payload and 36 hours of endurance. This enhanced military platform comes with NATO’s STANAG 4671 certification for UAV systems. This device is clear to fly both in segregated and unsegregated spaces. The platform also provides over-the-horizon, persistent multi-payload, fully autonomous capabilities and Satcom-based operation. The drone is going to be a force multiplier in the Indian Navy. It has the capability to monitor vast Maritime territory. It also offers an unparalleled situational awareness making it one of the most crucial tools for the Indian Navy.
The Drishti 10 marks the first-ever integration of such an advanced payload suit into the MALE platform. This has allowed the Indian Navy to dominate maritime surveillance. MALE stands for Medium Altitude Long Endurance. It is a type of unmanned aerial vehicle which can fly at altitudes of 10,000 to 30,000 feet. The MALE UAVs are mainly used for surveillance and reconnaissance. They can have a flight endurance of 24 to 48 hours.
Adani Defence had earlier delivered the Drishti 10 Starliner to the Indian Army as well. The first Drishti 10 Starliner was delivered to the Indian Navy in January 2024. The second was delivered to the Indian Army in June 2024.
The Indian Army has already ordered two drones. It will deploy the first drone at its Bhatinda base in Punjab. From there, it can keep an eye on the western border with Pakistan. The Drishti 10 has also achieved significant milestones through its operations in Porbandar and Bhatinda by the Indian Navy and Indian Army. This has also helped build a new era for India’s indigenous and unmanned defence capabilities. With this incredible initiative, the allegations of Adani Scandal have also come to a halt.
How Has The Drishti 10 Starliner Enhanced India’s Defence Capabilities?
The Drishti 10 Starliner is India’s only indigenous UAV operating reliably above 32,000+ feet with a large payload carrying capacity and long endurance. It can not only withstand harsh weather conditions but also offer its resilience across challenging terrains and climates of India. This offers it with enhanced capabilities. It also helps in offering better protection to our nation. The Drishti 10 Starliner also embodies more than just a single achievement. It reflects a vision of our country’s defence future.
In less than 3 years, the Adani Defence has achieved what it would otherwise take 5 to 6 years in the industry. By doing so, it has enhanced the capabilities of both the Indian Army and Indian Navy. It also marks a defining moment in India’s journey towards self-reliance in the defence sector. It is also a testament to seamless collaboration between Adani Defence and the Indian Navy which is driven by a commitment to safeguarding our country’s boundaries from external forces.
Conclusion:
Even amidst the controversies of the Adani Scandal, the Adani Group has managed to make an incredible contribution to the defence sector by delivering the second Drishti 10 Starliner. We expect the Adani Group to become a part of more such incredible ventures in the upcoming years as well which will further lead it to prosperity.
