India’s maiden indigenously manufactured unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) Drishti 10 Starliner drone was unveiled by the Chief of India’s Naval Staff, Admiral R Hari Kumar, for the Indian Navy at Adani Defence’s drone unveiling ceremony on Wednesday.
Manufactured within India, the drone embarked on its journey from Hyderabad to Porbandar in Gujarat, marking its induction into naval maritime operations.
‘Will enhance naval capabilities’
Talking to reporters, Admiral R Hari Kumar said: “This is a momentous occasion and a transformative step in India’s quest for self-reliance in ISR technology and maritime supremacy. Adani Group has demonstrated its commitment to unmanned systems having worked systematically over the last many years to develop local capabilities not limited to manufacturing but sustenance through MRO.”
“Drishti 10’s integration into our naval operations will enhance our naval capabilities, strengthening our preparedness for the ever-evolving maritime surveillance and reconnaissance,” he added.
Admiral R Hari Kumar further said Indian Navy has been operating UAVs for over two decades. Indigenisation of drones like Drishti 10 will help it acquire these capabilities domestically.
“Drishti would serve as a force multiplier as an intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance platform,” the Indian Navy Chief said.
What is Drishti 10 Starliner Unmanned Aerial Vehicle (UAV)?
Drishti 10 Starliner UAV has been built by Adani Defence & Aerospace (ADA). The company has built its first unmanned aerial vehicles manufacturing facility, and the first private sector small arms manufacturing facility.
The sophisticated, state-of-the-art UAV marks a significant step towards strategic autonomy and technological leadership in high-endurance, combat-proven, and indigenised advanced aerial systems.
Drishti 10 Starliner UAV has an advanced Intelligence, Surveillance and Reconnaissance (ISR) platform with an endurance capacity of 36 hours, payload capacity of 450 kg, and is clear to fly in both segregated and unsegregated airspace.
It holds STANAG 4671 certification making the drone distinct of being the sole all-weather military platform. The UAV is based on the Elbits Hermes 900 MALE (Medium Altitude Long Range) platform.
Drishti 10 has high autonomy and mission effectiveness and is equipped with multiple hard points and a 250 kg modular internal installation bay.
Drishti 10 is a technologically advanced and adaptable UAV as it has multi-payload capabilities and persistent wide-area surveillance features.
Adani Defence is currently setting up the India’s first comprehensive aircraft MRO or maintenance, repair and overhaul facility to ensure safety and airworthiness as per to international standards.
With inputs from agencies
Link to article –
WATCH unveiling of India’s first indigenously manufactured UAV ‘Drishti 10 Starliner’ drone
