Indian Navy gets first India-made long endurance Drishti 10 Starliner drone

The Indian Navy has recently acquired its first indigenous medium-altitude long-endurance (MALE) drone, the Drishti 10 Starliner unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV). This marks a significant development in enhancing the navy’s intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance capabilities. Manufactured by Adani Defence and Aerospace in collaboration with Israeli defence firm Elbit Systems, the drone offers versatility and advanced features.

Indigenous Innovation: Drishti 10 Starliner Drone

Background:

Adani Defence and Aerospace, in collaboration with Elbit Systems, has delivered the Drishti 10 Starliner drone, showcasing indigenous capabilities in the defence sector. This UAV, a variant of Elbit Systems’ Hermes 900 Starliner drones, is a crucial addition to India’s military assets.

Features and Capabilities:

The Drishti 10 Starliner drone is 70% indigenous, demonstrating a significant leap in India’s defence manufacturing capabilities. With an endurance of 36 hours and the ability to carry a payload of 450 kg, the drone is well-equipped for intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance missions. Notably, the UAV is adaptable to different operational scenarios due to its modularity and mobility of ground support equipment.

Weaponization and Specifications:

The drone, featuring three hard points for carrying loads, can be weaponized if necessary. Operating at 30,000 feet, the Drishti 10 Starliner is an all-weather platform that ensures its usability in various conditions.

Naval Challenges and Rising Threats

Geopolitical Context:

India’s naval challenges include navigating China’s strategic moves, upholding the rules-based international order, and addressing emerging tensions in the Arabian Sea. The region has become a new focal point, with piracy concerns in the Gulf of Aden and escalating tensions in the Red Sea.

Naval Response:

To counter these challenges, the Indian Navy has intensified surveillance in the Arabian Sea, deploying task groups of approximately 10 warships. Various assets, including P-8I maritime surveillance aircraft, Sea Guardian remotely piloted aircraft, Dorniers, helicopters, and Coast Guard ships, are actively involved in strengthening security in the region.

Technological Landscape: Future Prospects

DRDO’s Contribution:

The Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) is actively involved in developing a MALE UAV called Tapas. While the Drishti 10 Starliner adds significant capabilities, ongoing efforts in UAV technology, such as Tapas, contribute to India’s defence preparedness.

Global Collaborations:

India is also exploring international collaborations to bolster its military capabilities. The potential acquisition of 31 MQ-9B remotely piloted aircraft systems (RPAS) from the US could address technological gaps and provide a versatile platform for various military roles.

Important Questions Related to Exams

1. What is the primary purpose of the Drishti 10 Starliner drone recently acquired by the Indian Navy?
a) Combat operations
b) Intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance
c) Cargo transport
d) Search and rescue missions

2. Which companies collaborated in the manufacturing of the Drishti 10 Starliner drone?
a) Adani Defence and Aerospace
b) Elbit Systems
c) Both a and b
d) None of the above

3. The Drishti 10 Starliner drone is a variant of which existing UAV?
a) Hermes 800 Starliner
b) Hermes 900 Starliner
c) Hermes 1000 Starliner
d) Hermes 1100 Starliner

4. What percentage of the Drishti 10 Starliner drone is indigenous, showcasing India’s capabilities in defence manufacturing?
a) 50%
b) 60%
c) 70%
d) 80%

5. What is the endurance of the Drishti 10 Starliner drone?
a) 24 hours
b) 36 hours
c) 48 hours
d) 60 hours

6. How much payload can the Drishti 10 Starliner drone carry?
a) 250 kg
b) 350 kg
c) 450 kg
d) 550 kg

7. What is the primary operational focus of the Drishti 10 Starliner drone in the Indian Navy?
a) Air-to-air combat
b) Ground reconnaissance
c) Electronic warfare
d) Intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance (ISR)

8. How many hard points does the Drishti 10 Starliner drone have for carrying loads?
a) One
b) Two
c) Three
d) Four

9. In response to naval challenges, where has the Indian Navy intensified surveillance efforts?
a) Pacific Ocean
b) Arabian Sea
c) South China Sea
d) Atlantic Ocean

10. What is the name of the MALE UAV developed by the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO)?
a) Hermes 900
b) Drishti 10 Starliner
c) Tapas
d) Sea Guardian

Kindly share your responses in the comment section.