In a significant stride towards enhancing maritime surveillance capabilities, the Indian Navy officially welcomed its inaugural India-made Medium Altitude Long Endurance (MALE) drone, the Drishti 10 StarLiner, on Wednesday. This acquisition, facilitated through the emergency procurement mechanism, is poised to fortify India's vigilance over the expansive waters of the Indian Ocean.
Manufactured as a collaborative effort between Adani Defence and Aerospace and the Israeli firm Elbit, the drone is a product of meticulous craftsmanship at their facility in Hyderabad. Named Drishti 10 StarLiner, this unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) boasts a remarkable endurance of 36 hours, satellite connectivity, and an impressive payload capacity of 450 kg. Essentially, it is the Indian iteration of the original Hermes StarLiner.
Admiral R. Hari Kumar, the Chief of Naval Staff, expressed his satisfaction upon taking delivery of the maiden Drishti 10 StarLiner, noting its swift development within '10 months' post the contract's conclusion. The UAV is slated to embark on its inaugural operational journey, flying from Hyderabad to Porbandar in Gujarat, where it will be deployed for naval maritime operations.
Both the Navy and the Army have seized the opportunity presented by the emergency procurement provision, securing two drones each. These drones boast a service ceiling of 30,000 feet, circumventing bureaucratic delays for deals under Rs 300 crore. Regarding the indigenous content of the drone, sources involved with the project report a commendable 70 percent, with plans in place to further elevate this figure.
The journey of Drishti 10 StarLiner traces back to January 2019 when the Adani Group extended an offer to the defense ministry, proposing its Hermes 900 UAV under the Indigenously Designed Developed and Manufactured (IDDM) category. This category allows equipment with significant indigenous content to be considered for acquisition. While the initial order encompasses only four UAVs, the armed forces are eyeing the acquisition of approximately 150 MALE drones.
Highlighting the pivotal role of drones in contemporary warfare, Admiral Kumar emphasized the global shift towards autonomous systems in the 'order of battle.' Acknowledging the substantial UAV inventory held by neighboring nations, he stressed the importance of India remaining at the forefront by leveraging domestic expertise, agility, and adaptability.
Admiral Kumar lauded Drishti's advanced features, including state-of-the-art sensors, extended endurance, advanced communication capabilities, and cutting-edge technologies like automatic take-off and landing (ATOL). The drone is poised to act as a potent force multiplier, enhancing Intelligence, Surveillance, and Reconnaissance (ISR) missions across the Indian Ocean region.
Moreover, the drone's modularity and mobility of ground support equipment offer versatility and flexibility, enabling operations from various naval air stations across Bharat. Its qualification for flight in civilian non-segregated airspace and its capacity to endure adverse weather conditions, thanks to a unique and unlimited deicing mechanism, further underscore its reliability.
The Drishti 10 StarLiner is equipped with Starliner features, including over-the-horizon capabilities, persistent multi-mission functionality, and a class-leading payload carrying capacity. The Indian Navy, which currently operates tactical drones alongside the High Altitude Long Endurance (HALE) drones known as 'Sea Guardians,' continues to invest in cutting-edge technology to stay ahead in the evolving landscape of defense.
The Army, too, has demonstrated its commitment to bolstering its drone capabilities, having procured Satellite Communication-enabled Israeli Heron Mark-II drones. Plans to upgrade the existing fleet of Heron Mark-I with similar capabilities are underway, promising longer endurance and enhanced operational capabilities.
While earlier contemplations included arming the upgraded drones, recent reports suggest a shift in strategy. Meanwhile, the tri-services—Army, Navy, and Air Force—are actively exploring the acquisition of 31 HALE (MQ-9B) drones over the next three to four years. The Navy is slated to receive 15 MQ-9B drones tailored for maritime and anti-submarine warfare, while the Army and the Indian Air Force will each be allocated eight for land-based operations.
As India continues to bolster its defense capabilities with cutting-edge technology, the induction of the indigenous Drishti 10 StarLiner stands as a testament to the nation's commitment to staying at the forefront of innovation in the realm of unmanned aerial vehicles.
(Edited by Amrtansh Arora)