In a significant stride towards enhancing its maritime security, the Indian Navy is set to induct 10 Drishti 10 Medium Altitude Long Endurance (MALE) Remotely Piloted Aircraft (RPAs). This move marks a pivotal moment in India’s journey towards achieving self-reliance in defence technology, as the Drishti 10 Starliner, an advanced indigenous unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV), takes centre stage in the Navy’s operational arsenal.
The Drishti 10 Starliner, manufactured by Adani Defence & Aerospace, is designed for continuous maritime surveillance, boasting an impressive endurance of over 36 hours and the capability to operate at altitudes up to 30,000 feet. Equipped with a versatile payload that includes electro-optical sensors, synthetic aperture radar, and signals intelligence equipment, the Drishti 10 is poised to become a cornerstone of India’s maritime surveillance and reconnaissance efforts.
Chief of the Naval Staff Admiral Dinesh K Tripathi announced the induction of these advanced RPAs, underscoring their critical role in monitoring vast oceanic regions. “The first Drishti 10 RPA has already been fully operationalised,” Admiral Tripathi stated. “Naval crews have been trained and are actively flying the aircraft to standardise operating procedures and conduct essential Intelligence, Surveillance, and Reconnaissance (ISR) missions.”
The initial deployment of the Drishti 10 RPA is aiding the Navy in integrating this new platform into its strategic operations across key maritime zones. This step is part of a broader strategic shift towards leveraging robust unmanned systems for ocean monitoring. The drones will be instrumental in the early detection of threats, supporting complex missions such as anti-submarine warfare, search and rescue operations, and over-the-horizon targeting.
The Drishti 10 Starliner is derived from the globally proven Hermes 900 Starliner by Elbit Systems but is manufactured locally in Hyderabad with significant technology transfer. This collaboration exemplifies a successful model of indigenisation, blending global expertise with local manufacturing capabilities.
As more Drishti 10 units join the fleet, the Indian Navy anticipates achieving greater autonomy in its patrol capabilities. These drones will take over routine surveillance tasks, thereby reducing the reliance on expensive manned aircraft and freeing them up for higher-intensity combat roles.
Admiral Tripathi emphasised the strategic importance of this development: “This induction represents a critical step forward in India’s goal to achieve self-reliance in defence technology. The Drishti 10 RPAs will play a vital role in enhancing our maritime security and operational readiness.”
The integration of the Drishti 10 RPAs into the Indian Navy’s fleet underscores a transformative phase in India’s defence capabilities. By embracing advanced unmanned systems, the Navy is not only bolstering its surveillance and reconnaissance capacities but also paving the way for a more self-reliant and technologically advanced future.