Adani-Elbit Deliver 20 Hermes 900 MALE UAV to Israel ,Assembled in India

Defense News ,India :- In a significant development reported by Shephard Media, Adani-Elbit Advanced Systems India Ltd, India's first private UAV manufacturing facility, has successfully delivered more than 20 Hermes 900 medium-altitude, long-endurance (MALE) UAVs to Israel. The Hyderabad-based joint venture between Adani Defence and Aerospace and Israel’s Elbit Systems has become the first entity to produce these UAVs outside of Israel.

These Hermes 900 UAVs, complete with carbon composite Aerostructures manufactured at the Adani facility in Hyderabad, boast high-performance sensors capable of detecting ground or maritime targets over a wide spectral range. Furthermore, they can be employed for ground target attacks.

Apart from fulfilling orders for Israel, Adani-Elbit has also secured orders for two UAVs each from the Indian Navy and Indian Army.

The Indian Navy recently marked a significant milestone on January 11 with the receipt of its first indigenous medium-altitude long-endurance (MALE) drone, the Drishti-10 Starliner unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV). Manufactured by Adani Defence and Aerospace in Hyderabad, this UAV, developed with technology transfer from Israeli defense firm Elbit Systems, is a variant of Elbit Systems’ Hermes-900 Starliner drones.

Navy chief Admiral R Hari Kumar, present for the drone’s unveiling and delivery, emphasized the strategic importance of the Drishti-10 Starliner in boosting intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance capabilities in the Indian Ocean region. The drone is set to play a crucial role as a force multiplier, addressing the array of security challenges faced by the region.

Admiral Kumar highlighted the advanced features of Drishti-10 Starliner, including state-of-the-art sensors, enhanced endurance of 36 hours, advanced communication capabilities, and new-age technologies such as automatic take-off and landing. With a payload capacity of 450 kg, the drone is 70% indigenous and will significantly contribute to ISR (intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance) operations across the Indian Ocean region.

The Indian Navy, facing challenges such as China’s calculated power play for influence and tensions in the Arabian Sea, has intensified surveillance efforts, deploying task groups of approximately 10 warships. The modularity and mobility of ground support equipment provided by Drishti-10 Starliner offer versatility and flexibility, enabling the navy to operate the drones from various naval air stations across the country.

As a testament to its commitment to strengthening national defense capabilities, Adani Defence and Aerospace will transport the Drishti-10 Starliner from Hyderabad to Porbandar for integration into naval operations, with the remaining systems set to be delivered in the coming months. The armed forces have expressed a requirement for approximately 100 such drones, showcasing the increasing significance of UAVs in modern defense strategies.