The Drishti-10 Starliner is an Indian medium-altitude long-endurance UAV based on the Israeli Elbit Hermes 900, manufactured by Adani Defence and Aerospace for the Indian Armed Forces.[2]
| Drishti-10 UAV | |
|---|---|
| |
| A Drishti-10 UAV of the Indian Navy | |
| Role | Unmanned aerial vehicle |
| National origin | India |
| Manufacturer | Adani Aerospace and Defence |
| First flight | 9 February 2024[1] |
| Introduction | 2024 |
| Status | In Service |
| Primary user | Indian Navy |
| Produced | 2024-present |
| Number built | 22+ |
| Developed from | Elbit Hermes 900 |
The UAV reportedly has an indigenous content of over 70%.[3][4]
Development
editThe medium-altitude long-endurance (MALE) unmanned aerial vehicle Drishti-10 Starliner is a 70 percent indigenously built version of Israel's Hermes 900—manufactured by Elbit Systems. The carbon composite aerostructures for Hermes 900 and Hermes 450 are manufactured at Adani Elbit UAV Complex at Hyderabad. The Hermes 900 is an advanced intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance (ISR) platform with 36 hours endurance and 450 kilogram payload capacity. It is an all-weather platform with NATO STANAG 4671 certification, which can be used to fly in both segregated and unsegregated airspace.[5] It has the capacity to fly over a distance of around 2,000 kilometres in one deployment. It was indigenously made in India with over 70 percent content after Adani Defence and Aerospace signed a deal with Elbit Systems for transfer of technology for drones from Israel to India.[6]
Operational history
edit
In December 2018, Adani-Elbit Advanced Systems India Ltd., a joint venture company between Adani Defence and Aerospace and Israel's Elbit Systems was formed.[7] A defense manufacturing facility was built in Hyderabad.[8] It was the only Hermes 900 production facility outside Israel. It was also India's first private UAV manufacturing facility.[9]
The inaugural Drishti-10 Starliner was flagged off by the Chief of Naval Staff, Admiral R. Hari Kumar for the Navy in January 2024. The first UAV left from Hyderabad to Porbandar to be inducted into naval maritime operations.[10][11] In February 2024, India exported 20 Hermes 900 UAVs to Israel.[7][12]
The Indian Army's orders were expected to arrive within two to three months.[5] An Army official confirmed that they plan to deploy it in Bathinda Air Force Station of Punjab, to carry out missions in the desert sector and northern Punjab.[6][13] The first of the two drones ordered by the Army would arrive on 18 June 2024.[14]
As of 31 August 2024, the drone was not delivered to the Indian Army. However, an image revealed by OSINT sources hinted that the first UAV, registered IA 901, would be delivered soon.[15][16]
Operators
edit
- Indian Navy - 2 delivered[17][18]
- Indian Army - 2 on order[19][11]
- Indian Air Force (planned)
- 20 delivered[9]
Specifications
editGeneral characteristics
- Crew: 2 on ground
- Capacity: 450 kg (990 lb) payload[10]
- Length: 8.3 m (27 ft 3 in)
- Wingspan: 15 m (49 ft 3 in)
- Gross weight: 1,100 kg (2,425 lb)
- Powerplant: 1 × Rotax 916, 160 kW (210 hp)
Performance
- Maximum speed: 220 km/h (140 mph, 120 kn)
- Cruise speed: 112 km/h (70 mph, 60 kn)
- Endurance: 36 hours[10]
- Service ceiling: 9,100 m (30,000 ft)
References
edit- ^ "Indian Navy's Drishti 10 Drone Undertakes Maiden Flight". Western Naval Command. 9 February 2024.
- ^ "India's first indigenously manufactured UAV 'Drishti 10 Starliner' flagged off". Hindustan Times. 2024-01-10. Retrieved 2024-01-10.
- ^ https://www.adani.com/Newsroom/Media-Release/Navy-chief-unveils-first-indigenously-manufactured--Drishti-10-UAV-of-Adani-Defence-and-Aerospace
- ^ Philip, Snehesh Alex (2019-02-22). "Adani enters the UAV race with a 60% made-in-India drone". ThePrint. Retrieved 2024-01-14.
- ^ a b Peri, Dinakar (2024-01-10). "Autonomous systems becoming preferred choice in Order of Battle for nations across the globe: Navy Chief". The Hindu. ISSN 0971-751X. Retrieved 2024-01-10.
- ^ a b "Drishti-10 drones: Indian Army to deploy Drishti-10 drones near Pakistan border in Punjab". The Economic Times. 15 January 2024. Retrieved 2024-01-15.
- ^ a b Ramachandran, R (17 April 2024). "India's Refusal to Back UN Arms Embargo on Israel May Be Linked to Adani Drone Exports". The Wire. Retrieved 17 April 2024.
- ^ "India sends Adani-made drones to Israel; 5 things to know". Deccan Herald. Retrieved 11 May 2024.
- ^ a b "In A First, India Delivers Made-In-Hyderabad Hermes Drones To Israel". NDTV. 9 February 2024. Retrieved 11 May 2024.
- ^ a b c Livemint (2024-01-10). "Adani Group unveils first indigenously manufactured Drishti 10 UAV". www.livemint.com. Retrieved 2024-01-10.
- ^ a b "Adani Group Unveils India's First Medium Altitude, Long Endurance Drone". NDTV.com. Retrieved 2024-01-10.
- ^ "Amidst war in Gaza, Adani-Elbit exporting drones to Israel: Reports". The New Indian Express. 2024-04-09. Retrieved 2024-04-17.
- ^ "Enhancing Surveillance Capabilities: Indian Army's New Drone Inductions". currentaffairs.adda247.com. Retrieved 2024-06-13.
- ^ "Army To Get Drishti-10 Drones To Boost Surveillance On Pak Border: Report". NDTV.com. Retrieved 2024-05-11.
- ^ "Drishti-10 MALE UAVs Spotted in Final Preparation Stages, Anticipate Deployment to Indian Army Soon". Defence.in. 2024-08-31. Retrieved 2024-08-31.
- ^ @alpha_defense (2024-08-28). "NASM-SR, Hermes-900 and Gaurav LGB from Adani Defence" (Tweet). Retrieved 2024-08-31 – via Twitter.
- ^ "Navy gets first India-made long endurance Drishti 10 Starliner drone". India Today. 10 January 2024. Retrieved 2024-01-11.
- ^ "India's first indigenously manufactured UAV 'Drishti 10 Starliner' flagged off". Hindustan Times. 2024-01-10. Retrieved 2024-01-11.
- ^ "India orders Hermes 900 for army, navy". Janes.com. Retrieved 2024-01-11.