Navy gets India-made long endurance Drishti 10 Starliner drone

THE Indian Navy has recently acquired its first indigenous medium-altitude long-endurance (MALE) drone, the Drishti 10 Starliner unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV).

This marks a significant development in enhancing the navy’s intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance capabilities. Manufactured by Adani Defence and Aerospace in collaboration with Israeli defence firm Elbit Systems, the drone offers versatility and advanced features.

Indigenous Innovation: Drishti 10 Starliner Drone

Background

Adani Defence and Aerospace, in collaboration with Elbit Systems, has delivered the Drishti 10 Starliner drone, showcasing indigenous capabilities in the defence sector. This UAV, a variant of Elbit Systems’ Hermes 900 Starliner drones, is a crucial addition to India’s military assets.

Features and Capabilities

The Drishti 10 Starliner drone is 70% indigenous, demonstrating a significant leap in India’s defence manufacturing capabilities. With an endurance of 36 hours and the ability to carry a payload of 450 kg, the drone is well-equipped for intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance missions. Notably, the UAV is adaptable to different operational scenarios due to its modularity and mobility of ground support equipment.

Weaponization and Specifications

The drone, featuring three hard points for carrying loads, can be weaponized if necessary. Operating at 30,000 feet, the Drishti 10 Starliner is an all-weather platform that ensures its usability in various conditions.

Naval Challenges and Rising Threats
Geopolitical Context

India’s naval challenges include navigating China’s strategic moves, upholding the rules-based international order, and addressing emerging tensions in the Arabian Sea. The region has become a new focal point, with piracy concerns in the Gulf of Aden and escalating tensions in the Red Sea.

Naval Response

To counter these challenges, the Indian Navy has intensified surveillance in the Arabian Sea, deploying task groups of approximately 10 warships. Various assets, including P-8I maritime surveillance aircraft, Sea Guardian remotely piloted aircraft, Dorniers, helicopters, and Coast Guard ships, are actively involved in strengthening security in the region.

Technological Landscape: Future Prospects
DRDO’s Contribution

The Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) is actively involved in developing a MALE UAV called Tapas. While the Drishti 10 Starliner adds significant capabilities, ongoing efforts in UAV technology, such as Tapas, contribute to India’s defence preparedness.

Global Collaborations

India is also exploring international collaborations to bolster its military capabilities. The potential acquisition of 31 MQ-9B remotely piloted aircraft systems (RPAS) from the US could address technological gaps and provide a versatile platform for various military roles.