Adani Defence and Aerospace delivered a second Drishti-10 Starliner surveillance drone to the Indian Navy. After the handover of the first drone to the Navy earlier in the year, the induction of the second unmanned aerial vehicles (UAV) into naval maritime operations at Portbandar in Gujarat, media reports said citing sources in the know.
The drone is manufactured by Adani Defence and Aerospace at the Hyderabad facility, reported PTI. The drone is an advanced intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance (ISR) platform with 36 hours endurance and 450 kg payload capacity. This platform is the only all-weather military platform which is permitted to fly in both segregated and unsegregated airspace.
The platform is certified by NATO’s STANAG 4671 (standardised agreement 4671) for the UAV system’s airworthiness, the report noted. The report cited sources and said that the platform provides over the horizon, consistent multi payload, fully autonomous capabilities, and Satcom-based operations.
The sources noted that this is the maiden integration of an advanced payload suites onto a MALE platform and this will help the Indian Navy establish dominance over maritime surveillance.
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MALE represents Medium Altitude Long Endurance and is an unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) that can fly altitudes between 10,000-30,000 feet. MALE UAVs are used for surveillance and reconnaissance and have a flight endurance of 24 to 48 hours.
Earlier, Adani Defence delivered the Drishti-10 Starliner to the Indian Army also. The first drone was delivered to the Indian Navy in January and then the second one to the Army in June.
Citing sources, the report added that Drishti 10 is the only indigenous UAV with India that can operate easily above 32,000+ feet with a large payload carrying capacity and long endurance. “This performance reinforces India's capacity for innovation and strength under pressure, serving as a testament to our country's unwavering resolve to protect and advance our strategic interests,” the source noted.