Indian Navy Confirms Crash of Drishti-10 UAV During Training Sortie Near Porbandar
The Indian Navy has announced that one of its Uncrewed Aerial Vehicles (UAVs), the Drishti-10, crashed off the Porbandar airfield in Gujarat during a routine training exercise on Wednesday afternoon. According to an official release from Naval Headquarters, the incident occurred without any injuries or loss of life on the ground. The Navy added that an investigation into the cause of the crash is underway.
The Drishti-10 Starliner, used by Indian Naval Air Squadron (INAS) 343 known as the “Frontier Formidables,” is stationed at the Naval Air Enclave in Porbandar. The squadron is responsible for conducting maritime surveillance and reconnaissance operations over the northern Arabian Sea.
This UAV is a licensed-produced Indian version of the Elbit Systems Hermes 900, equipped for intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance (ISR) tasks. It can endure flights of up to 36 hours, carry a payload of approximately 450 kg, and reach a service ceiling of around 9,100 metres (30,000 feet). Its capabilities include supporting anti-submarine warfare, over-the-horizon targeting, and search-and-rescue missions. The UAV is assembled by Adani Defence and Aerospace in partnership with Elbit Systems, with a focus on indigenous content under the Make in India initiative.
Emphasizing the absence of injuries or fatalities, the Navy confirmed that the incident took place during a training sortie and that a formal investigation has been launched to determine the cause. Additional information is anticipated as the inquiry progresses.
This incident represents the second known loss of a Drishti-10 UAV by the Indian Navy. Previously, in January 2025, another unit was lost off the Porbandar coast during pre-acceptance trials by the vendor before its official induction into naval service. Unlike the previous event, the current incident involves an operational asset engaged in training activities.
The Indian Navy is actively working to strengthen its unmanned aerial capabilities to improve maritime domain awareness and lessen the operational load on manned platforms such as the P-8I Poseidon. Plans to induct additional Drishti-10 UAVs have been previously reported.
As of the latest communication, the Navy has not provided further details regarding the crash's specific circumstances, the extent of any damage, or the immediate impact on operations. The Navy has reiterated its dedication to flight safety and the comprehensive investigation of all incidents.
Additional updates are anticipated as the investigation proceeds.
