An Indian Navy Drishti-10 drone crashed near Porbandar, Gujarat, during a training sortie on July 8, 2026, with no reported injuries or fatalities. Authorities have launched an investigation to determine the cause of the incident, which follows a similar crash in January 2025 during pre-acceptance trials for the Indian Army.
What Is the Drishti-10 Starliner?
The Drishti-10 Starliner is a Medium Altitude Long Endurance (MALE) UAV developed by Adani Defence & Aerospace in partnership with Israel’s Elbit Systems. Indigenized from the Hermes 900 Starliner, it features over 70% local content and is designed for intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance (ISR) missions. The Indian Navy inducted its first Drishti-10 in January 2024 to bolster maritime security.
Operational Capabilities and Role
This advanced surveillance UAV can operate for up to 36 hours at altitudes of 30,000 feet, making it ideal for monitoring vast maritime zones and land borders. Its key functions include:
- Maritime surveillance and early threat detection
- Search-and-rescue operations
- Counter-piracy and anti-smuggling efforts
- Over-the-horizon targeting support
Next Steps After the Porbandar Crash
The Indian Navy has confirmed the incident occurred off Porbandar airfield, with no ground casualties. As the investigation unfolds, defense analysts will watch for potential impacts on the Indian Navy drone program and future deployments of the Drishti-10 fleet. The crash underscores the challenges of integrating high-endurance UAVs into India’s evolving security framework.
