Huma Siddiqui

New Delhi, Jan 10

The Drishti 10 Starliner Unmanned Aerial Vehicle (UAV), a product of indigenous manufacturing, was officially handed over to the Indian Navy in a significant ceremony held in Hyderabad. Manufactured by Adani Defence & Aerospace, this UAV is cutting-edge intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance (ISR) platform, boasting a remarkable 36-hour endurance and a robust 450 kg payload capacity.

With the coveted NATO’s STANAG 4671 certification, signifying adherence to standardized agreements, the Drishti 10 Starliner stands out as the sole all-weather military platform with this prestigious recognition. This certification ensures the UAV’s airworthiness, granting it clearance to operate seamlessly in both segregated and unsegregated airspace. The next destination for this advanced UAV is Porbandar, where it is slated for induction into naval maritime operations.

The flag-off ceremony, presided over by Chief of the Naval Staff Admiral R Hari Kumar, marked a crucial milestone. The navy chief lauded Adani’s concerted efforts in aligning their strategic roadmap with the specific requirements of the Navy. He also commended the establishment of a robust ecosystem of partners and capabilities, a key enabler for achieving ‘Atmanirbharta’ (self-reliance) in defence and security.

He stated, “This is a momentous occasion and a transformative step in India’s quest for self-reliance in ISR technology and maritime supremacy. Drishti 10’s integration will enhance our naval capabilities, strengthening our preparedness in the ever-evolving maritime surveillance and reconnaissance.”

Third Eye

The Indian Navy Chief, Admiral R Hari Kumar, in encouraging the induction of the Adani Group-made Drishti 10 Starliner UAV, envisioned it as a force multiplier. During his address, he shared his hope that the drone system would serve as the “third eye” in the sky, providing essential battlefield transparency with incisive clarity. He emphasized its potential role in safeguarding the nation against any adversarial elements.

“Drishti 10 may serve as the third eye for us, providing us battlefield transparency with incisive clarity, enabling the Bharatiya Nausena to score a bulls-eye on anyone who dares cast an evil eye at the Nation and our citizens,” Admiral Kumar said, underlining the significance of this advanced UAV in fortifying India’s defence capabilities.

As part of the agreement between Adani Defence & Aerospace and the Indian Navy, the first of two UAVs was officially handed over during the ceremony at Adani Group’s facility in Hyderabad. Furthermore, the commitment extends to delivering two similar UAVs to the Indian Army, emphasizing the widespread utility and demand for such advanced unmanned aerial systems.

The training of Indian Navy personnel is already in progress at the Hyderabad facility, with Admiral Kumar indicating that it would conclude by the middle of the current month. The formal induction ceremony is scheduled to take place at Porbandar in Gujarat in the upcoming month, signifying the operational readiness of the UAV.

Admiral Kumar shed light on the prevalent challenges posed by adversaries equipped with a substantial inventory of Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAVs). He underscored the evolving nature of conflicts, where autonomous systems play a crucial role, citing incidents in Europe and West Asia. Drawing attention to recent events in the Northern Arabian Sea, he emphasized the strategic importance of staying ahead in the domain of autonomous systems.

“Sitting in our homes, we continue to witness their disproportionate impact in the ongoing conflicts in Europe and West Asia. Further, the recent incidents in the Northern Arabian Sea amply demonstrate the challenges posed by such systems when they fall in the hands of non-state actors and terrorists,” remarked Admiral Kumar.

Highlighting the current scenario, he revealed that within the span of the last 40-42 days, 35 ships faced drone attacks. These attacks predominantly targeted ships owned or bearing flags from Israel and occurred in the Red Sea, North, and Central Arabian Sea. Admiral Kumar pointed out that autonomous systems are increasingly becoming a preferred choice in the Order of Battle for nations globally.

“Both our immediate neighbours (China and Pakistan) collectively hold a very large inventory of UAVs. Therefore, it is only prudent that we, as a Nation, and as armed forces, continue to harness our resident expertise in this domain, by remaining agile, adaptable and ahead of the curve,” emphasized Admiral Kumar, acknowledging the need for strategic agility and adaptability in countering emerging threats.

Delving into the advantages offered by the Drishti 10 Starliner, Admiral Kumar emphasized its potential role in shaping future naval operations. He underlined the UAV’s equipped state-of-the-art sensors, extended endurance of 36 hours, and advanced communication capabilities.

Additionally, its incorporation of new-age technologies such as Automatic Take Off and Landing (ATOL) positions it as a formidable asset. Notably, this UAV is a home-assembled version of the Hermes-900 MALE UAV, featuring an impressive 70% indigenous content.

“The UAV, once fully developed, would play a pivotal role in shaping our future naval operations towards safeguarding India’s national maritime interests in the ocean named after her, and ensure maritime security in collaboration with our friends and partners in this region,” projected Admiral Kumar, highlighting the strategic importance of the Drishti 10 Starliner in maritime security.

Ashish Rajvanshi, CEO of Adani Defence & Aerospace, shared insights into the delivery logistics. He stated that the first UAV, carrying 75 Navy personnel, is set to depart from Hyderabad to Porbandar, marking a significant step in its induction into naval maritime operations. Rajvanshi also expressed pride in the timely delivery of the UAV, attributing it to robust quality management processes and the dedicated efforts of partners over the past 10 months.

Providing a glimpse into the future, Director General Army Aviation Lt Gen AK Suri conveyed the Indian Army’s anticipation of receiving the Drishti-10s within the next 2-3 months. Lt Gen Suri acknowledged Hyderabad’s status as possessing the most evolved and mature defence and aerospace ecosystem in the country.

The backdrop of the procurement agreements for two Medium Altitude Long Endurance (MALE) UAVs from Israel under emergency procurement was highlighted. The Indian Army and Navy opted for the Hermes 900 by Elbit Systems, while the Indian Air Force chose the Heron Mk2 from Israel Aerospace Industries (IAI). In 2022, the Army received four Heron-Mk2 UAVs from IAI, as per the contract signed in 2021.

D Sridhar Babu, Minister of Industries & Commerce, IT, Electronics, and Legislative Affairs of Telangana, extended congratulations to the Adani Defence & Aerospace team. He praised their efforts in establishing a vibrant ecosystem for unmanned systems, specifically lauding the Adani Aerospace Park in Hyderabad. He termed it as a world-class facility with a focus on innovation and indigenization, contributing significantly to India’s strides in achieving self-reliance in defence manufacturing.

Jeet Adani, VP of Adani Enterprises, provided insights into the geopolitical landscape, emphasizing the convergence of physical, informational, and cognitive tactics. He highlighted the pivotal role of intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance platforms across land, air, and naval borders. Adani expressed pride in contributing to India’s global standing through such advanced systems.