In a major development for India’s maritime security, Chief of the Naval Staff Admiral Dinesh K Tripathi has announced that the Indian Navy is in the process of inducting 10 Drishti 10 Medium Altitude Long Endurance (MALE) Remotely Piloted Aircraft (RPAs).
This move is set to significantly bolster the force's ability to monitor vast oceanic regions.
The Drishti 10 Starliner is an advanced, indigenous unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) manufactured by Adani Defence & Aerospace. Its induction represents a critical step forward in India’s goal to achieve self-reliance in defence technology.
The drone is designed for continuous maritime surveillance, boasting an endurance of over 36 hours and the ability to operate at altitudes up to 30,000 feet.
It carries a versatile payload, including electro-optical sensors, synthetic aperture radar, and signals intelligence equipment, making it highly effective for long-range missions.
According to Admiral Tripathi, the first Drishti 10 RPA has already been fully operationalised. Naval crews have been trained and are actively flying the aircraft to standardise operating procedures and conduct essential Intelligence, Surveillance, and Reconnaissance (ISR) missions.
This initial deployment is helping the Navy integrate the new platform into its strategic operations across key maritime zones.
The decision to induct 10 of these platforms highlights the Navy’s strategic shift towards using robust unmanned systems for ocean monitoring.
These drones will play a vital role 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 is derived from the globally proven Hermes 900 Starliner by Elbit Systems but is manufactured locally in Hyderabad with significant technology transfer, showcasing a successful model of collaborative indigenisation.
As more Drishti 10 units join the fleet, the Indian Navy expects to achieve greater autonomy in its patrol capabilities. The drones will take over routine surveillance tasks, thereby reducing the reliance on expensive manned aircraft and freeing them up for higher-intensity combat roles.
