News Desk
India’s Navy chief, Adm. R. Hari Kumar, on Wednesday, unveiled the first-ever indigenously built Drishti-10 starliner medium altitude long endurance (abbreviated MALE) drone, meant to be inducted into the naval maritime operations to boost the navy’s capability to have a close eye on strategic waters of the Indian Ocean.
Built by the Adani Defence and Aerospace exclusively for the navy in Hyderabad, the Drishti-10 unmanned aerial vehicle (abbreviated UAV) is an indigenous version of the Hermes-900 UAV of Israel’s Elbit Systems has more than 70% indigenous content.
The navy’s chief took the successful delivery of the first-ever Drishti 10 Starliner. The UAV will fly to Porbandar from Hyderabad to be pressed into the naval maritime operations. The navy operates tactical drones besides four advanced High Altitude Long Endurance (abbreviated HALE) drones popular as “Sea Guardians”.
Emphasizing the capability of these drones in modern warfare, Adm. Kumar said that autonomous systems were emerging as a preferred option in the Order of Battle for nations all over the globe. He noted that Drishti would be a highly potent force multiplier, adding even more capability and credibility to intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance (abbreviated ISR) missions spanning the Indian Ocean region.
Four Drishti 10 Starliners have reportedly been ordered, two for the army and two for the navy, based on information from sources in the defence ministry. However, the armed forces also intend to purchase roughly 150 MALE drones. (Agencies)
