Adani Defence-Built Drone Crashes During Acceptance Trials

A Drishti 10 Starliner drone, built by Adani Defence and Aerospace, crashed off Gujarat’s Porbandar coast on January 13, 2025. The crash occurred while the drone was undergoing acceptance trials. Informed sources confirmed that the incident occurred while the drone was undergoing testing before the Indian Navy’s delivery. Although the crash resulted in no casualties or collateral damage. It has raised concerns about the operational reliability of the drone. Investigations are ongoing to determine the cause of the malfunction. Investigations are conducted to identify the precise cause of failure, although initial assessments do suggest technical glitches.

What Happened to Drishti 10 Starliner Drone?

Sources revealed that the Drishti 10 Starliner drone lost command in mid-air and plunged into the water. The incident was during operational testing, and it was operated by Adani Defence and Aerospace and not the Indian Navy. Fortunately, no injuries occurred, and the drone was recovered shortly after the incident.

This particular Drishti 10 Starliner is intended for the Indian Navy. No financial effect will be faced by the Navy since the drone was not even delivered. The deal signed for purchasing the Drishti 10 drones, is an agreement that includes emergency procurement provisions. Two units of drones were ordered for each of the Indian Army and Navy. The first Drishti 10 was delivered to the Navy in January 2024. The Army received its drone in June 2024. The crashed Drishti 10 Starliner was scheduled to join the Navy’s fleet. Reports suggest that the crash will not impact the Navy’s operational capabilities, as the drone had not been officially handed over.

Drishti 10 Starliner Drone’s Capabilities

Adani Defence and Aerospace manufactures the Drishti 10 Starliner drone in collaboration with Israeli defense firm Elbit Systems. The advanced unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) is designed for maritime surveillance and reconnaissance. It is a medium-altitude, long-endurance (MALE) platform with a payload capacity of 450 kg and endurance of 36 hours.

With more than over-the-horizon, persistent multi-payload capabilities with full autonomy, the Drishti 10 Starliner is among the leading unmanned military assets in intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance (ISR) operations. The flexibility of drone operation also includes SATCOM-based operations and the possibility of conducting special missions due to four fixed hard points on the wings and a large internal bay. Most importantly, the Indian Defence Forces possess the sole unmanned military platform with STANAG 4671 certification, meaning reliability for the defense systems of the Indian Armed Forces.

Investigations and Future of the Drishti 10

The crash of the Drishti 10 Starliner drone has called for a detailed investigation to determine the exact cause of the malfunction. Preliminary reports indicate that technical issues may have contributed to the incident, but the final assessment will clarify whether it was a system failure or a result of operational factors.

The Drishti 10 drone was still under acceptance trials when this incident happened, which is part of the final phase before its induction into the Indian Navy’s fleet. This leaves us to question what the operational reliability of the drone is, despite all its advanced features and capabilities.

The crash of the Drishti 10 Starliner drone off Gujarat’s Porbandar coast is a reminder of the risks involved in the testing phase of high-tech defense equipment. While the incident has raised concerns, the recovery of the drone and the ongoing investigation will determine if future operations are affected. In the continued development and incorporation of advanced defense technologies, India will continue to focus on the high standards necessary for operational readiness.

As the investigation continues, the Drishti 10 Starliner drone is a significant asset in India’s defense arsenal with its advanced surveillance capabilities making it a critical tool for the Indian Armed Forces.