How Adani Defence is boosting maritime surveillance capability

Adani Defence and Aerospace has successfully delivered a second Drishti-10 Starliner surveillance drone to the Indian Navy, enhancing the capabilities of India's maritime forces in monitoring shipping routes and addressing piracy threats. Following the earlier delivery of the first Drishti-10 drone to the Indian Navy this year, the integration of the second unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV), which is based on Israel's Hermes 900 medium-altitude long-endurance UAV, has commenced for naval operations at Porbandar in Gujarat, according to informed sources.

The Drishti-10 Starliner, produced by Adani Defence and Aerospace, a division of the conglomerate led by billionaire Gautam Adani, is an advanced intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance (ISR) platform featuring a 36-hour endurance and a payload capacity of 450 kg.

This all-weather military platform holds NATO's STANAG 4671 certification, ensuring the UAV system's airworthiness and allowing it to operate in both segregated and unsegregated airspace.

According to sources, the platform offers over-the-horizon, persistent multi-payload capabilities and operates autonomously with Satcom support.

What Drishti-10 of Adani Defence does

The Drishti-10 serves as a force multiplier for the Indian Navy, enabling comprehensive monitoring of extensive maritime areas and providing exceptional situational awareness. This represents the inaugural integration of a sophisticated payload suite onto a Medium Altitude Long Endurance (MALE) platform, providing the Indian Navy with enhanced capabilities for maritime surveillance, as stated by officials.

MALE refers to unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) that operate at altitudes ranging from 10,000 to 30,000 feet. These UAVs are primarily utilized for surveillance and reconnaissance missions, boasting flight endurance of 24 to 48 hours.

Adani Defence has also previously supplied the Drishti-10 Starliner to the Indian Army.

The initial Drishti-10 Starliner was handed over to the Indian Navy in January of this year, followed by a second unit delivered to the Indian Army in June.

The Army, which has ordered two of these drones, plans to deploy the first unit at its Bhatinda base in Punjab, enabling comprehensive monitoring of the western border with Pakistan.

The Drishti 10 has achieved significant milestones during its flight operations in Porbandar and Bhatinda, showcasing a new chapter in India's Indigenous unmanned defence capabilities.

As India's sole indigenous UAV capable of operating reliably above 32,000 feet with a substantial payload capacity and extended endurance, the Drishti 10 has not only withstood harsh conditions but has excelled, demonstrating its resilience across the challenging terrains and climates of the Himalayas. This performance underscores India's innovative capacity and strength under pressure, reflecting the nation's steadfast commitment to safeguarding and advancing its strategic interests.

Furthermore, the Drishti 10 Starliner signifies more than just a singular accomplishment; it embodies a broader vision for the future of India's defence. In 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.

In a recent visit to the Porbandar base, Rear Admiral Janak Bevli, VSM, Assistant Chief of the Naval Staff (Air), assessed the current operations and interacted with the Adani Defence team, headed by AVM KVR Raju, VM (Retd.), who serves as the Technical Head for UAVs and Missiles.

According to sources, this induction signifies a pivotal step in India's pursuit of self-sufficiency in defence technology, highlighting the effective partnership between Adani Defence and the Indian Navy, both dedicated to protecting maritime interests.