PORBANDAR, Gujarat — An Indian Navy Drishti-10 Uncrewed Aerial Vehicle (UAV) crashed off the Porbandar airfield in Gujarat on Wednesday afternoon during a routine training sortie, the Navy confirmed.
According to the Indian Navy, the drone went down in a coastal area near the airfield. No injuries, loss of life, or damage to civilian infrastructure were reported. Authorities have secured the site, and an investigation has been launched to determine the cause of the incident.
"Uncrewed Aerial Vehicle Drishti-10 crashed off Porbandar airfield during a training sortie this afternoon. No injury or loss of life has been reported on ground. The cause of the incident is being investigated," the Navy said in a statement.
The Drishti-10, India's version of the Hermes 900 Starliner, is a medium-altitude long-endurance (MALE) UAV assembled by Adani Defence and Aerospace in Hyderabad under a technology transfer agreement with Israel's Elbit Systems. The platform is used for intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance (ISR) missions, particularly over maritime areas.
This is the second Drishti-10 crash linked to the Indian Navy. In January 2025, another Drishti-10 crashed into the Arabian Sea off the Porbandar coast during pre-acceptance trials before it was formally inducted into service.
The Drishti-10 can remain airborne for up to 36 hours, operate at altitudes of around 30,000 feet, and carry a payload of up to 450 kilograms. The Indian Army and Indian Navy each ordered two UAVs under emergency procurement to strengthen long-range surveillance capabilities.
Recovery efforts are underway, and the Navy's investigation will examine the circumstances that led to the loss of the aircraft.
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