Defense News ,India :- The Indian Army is gearing up to enhance its surveillance capabilities along the Punjab border with the deployment of cutting-edge Drishti-10 medium-altitude, long-endurance drones. These drones, set to be introduced into the force within the next two to three months by Adani Defence, will play a crucial role in monitoring the region.
Under emergency provisions, the Indian Army has placed orders for two of these indigenous drones from Adani Defence. The mandate requires that over 60% of the systems supplied by vendors should be made in India, aligning with the 'Make in India' initiative in the defense sector.
Military officials shared that the drones will be stationed in the Punjab sector, providing extensive coverage, including the desert sector and areas north of Punjab. This strategic move aims to bolster the Indian Army's surveillance efforts in the region.
Adding to its existing drone fleet, which includes Heron MK-1 and MK-2 drones, the Indian Army has also ordered Drishti-10 or Hermes-900 drones in the latest tranche of emergency procurements. Adani Defence, in collaboration with Israeli firm Elbit, has transferred technology for these drones, emphasizing that 70% of the technology has already been indigenized, with plans to increase this further.
The recent unveiling of the drones took place in Hyderabad, with Indian Navy Chief Admiral R Hari Kumar and Director General Army Aviation Lt Gen Ajay Suri officiating the event. While the Indian Army will deploy these drones in Punjab, the Indian Navy plans to position them in Porbandar to monitor the maritime boundary with Pakistan and the high seas. With an impressive capability to fly for over 30 hours and cover a distance of around 2,000 km in a single mission, these drones mark a significant advancement in border surveillance technology.
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