The UAVs, manufactured in collaboration with Israel, will be deployed along the western coast
The Indian Navy received its initial batch of four domestically produced Medium Altitude Long Endurance (MALE) drones on Wednesday. This acquisition is expected to bolster the navy’s maritime capabilities, particularly in light of escalating tensions in the Red Sea and the Arabian Sea, marked by attacks from Somali pirates and Houthi rebels targeting passing merchant ships.
The Drishti 10 Starliner drones are manufactured locally by Adani Defense and Aerospace, owned by tycoon Gautam Adani, in partnership with the Israeli firm Elbit. They are considered an Indian equivalent of the Israeli Hermes StarLiner. These India-made drones have around 70% indigenous components, according to media reports.
About ten months ago, the Adani Group secured a contract to supply four advanced drones – two for the army and two for the navy – through an emergency procurement mechanism. Media reports suggest that the Indian military is eyeing the acquisition of an additional 150 MALE drones.
The induction of these new UAVs is anticipated to occur “probably next month” after personnel undergo training on their operation, according to R. Hari Kumar, the chief of naval staff.
#WATCH | On Drishti 10 Starliner drones manufactured by Adani Defence, LT Gen Ajay Kumar Suri, DG, Indian Army Aviation says "Initially, we have ordered two Drishti 10s and we are looking at a time span of 2-3 months when they will be delivered. It will improve the surveillance… pic.twitter.com/kv2Y9AbJgN
— ANI (@ANI) January 10, 2024
Addressing a launching ceremony at the Adani Aerospace Park in Hyderabad, Kumar highlighted the importance of these drones, especially considering the sizable UAV inventory held by India’s immediate neighbors, likely referring to Pakistan and China. Kumar emphasized that the new drones will significantly enhance India’s maritime capabilities at a critical juncture when New Delhi has committed to bolstering security in the Arabian Sea, where merchant ships face threats from Somali pirates and Houthi rebels.