Admiral R Hari Kumar, the Chief of India’s Naval Staff, introduced the domestically developed Drishti 10 Starliner drone for the Indian Navy during Adani Defence’s drone unveiling event on Wednesday. The indigenous drone, manufactured in India, is scheduled for deployment in naval maritime operations and recently traveled from Hyderabad, Telangana, to Porbandar, Gujarat.
The Drishti 10 Starliner represents a sophisticated Intelligence, Surveillance, and Reconnaissance (ISR) platform equipped with a 36-hour endurance, a payload capacity of 450kg, and the necessary clearance to operate in both segregated and unsegregated airspace.
Admiral R Hari Kumar, Chief of the Indian Navy, stated, as quoted by the news agency ANI, “The Indian Navy has been utilizing UAVs for more than two decades. The domestic production of drones such as Drishti 10 will enable us to attain these capabilities domestically. Drishti is expected to function as a force multiplier, serving as an intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance platform.”
Admiral R Hari Kumar of the Indian Navy praised Adani for aligning its strategic plans with the needs of the Indian Navy and for creating a network of partners and capabilities to foster self-reliance in defense and security, also known as Aatmanirbharta.
He expressed, “This marks a significant milestone and a pivotal stride in India’s pursuit of self-sufficiency in ISR technology and naval dominance. Adani has showcased its dedication to unmanned systems by methodically cultivating local capabilities over several years, encompassing not just manufacturing but also sustaining through MRO (Maintenance, Repair, and Overhaul). The incorporation of Drishti 10 Starliner into our naval operations will strengthen our maritime capabilities, elevating our readiness for the continuously evolving requirements of maritime surveillance and reconnaissance.”
