CNS Address at the Unveiling CEREMONY OF DRISHTI-10 UAV at M/s ADSTL, Hyderabad
10 JAN 24
It is indeed an honour and proud privilege to be here amongst you this pleasant morning of 10th January, to take stock and review progress of our first indigenous Medium Altitude Long Endurance (MALE) UAV. The Drishti-10 – true to its name, has ‘seen’ the light of the day in just ’10 months’ post conclusion of contract.
At the outset my compliments to Adani Defence Systems and Technologies, and its team of brilliant and motivated minds for continuing to determinedly develop this sophisticated platform, despite challenges posed by your industry partner’s preoccupations due to the ongoing conflict in West Asia.
Ladies and gentlemen, the importance of autonomous systems in the rapidly evolving and dynamic tech-infused wars of the contemporary world needs no emphasis. Sitting in our homes, we continue to witness their disproportionate impact in the ongoing conflicts in Europe and West Asia. Further, the recent incidents in Northern Arabian Sea amply demonstrates the challenges posed by such systems when they fall in the hands of non-state actors and terrorists.
Today, autonomous systems are becoming a preferred choice in the Order of Battle for nations across the globe. Both our immediate neighbours collectively hold a very large inventory of UAVs. Therefore, it is only prudent that we, as a Nation, and as armed forces, continue to harness our resident expertise in this domain, by remaining agile, adaptable and ahead of the curve.
While Bharatiya Nausena has been operating UAVs over the last two decades, the development of Drishti symbolises the Navy’s ‘Vision’ to be an Aatmanirbhar and ‘Future-Proof’ force. Our commitment to indigenisation of such sophisticated and niche platforms also cements our stature as a trailblazer amongst the Armed Forces in adopting and integrating pole- vaulting technologies.
With state-of-the art sensors, enhanced endurance, advanced communication capabilities as well as new-age technologies like Automatic Take Off and Landing (ATOL), Drishti would be a potent force multiplier, adding capability and credibility in undertaking Intelligence, Surveillance and Reconnaissance (ISR) across the Indian Ocean Region. Additionally, the versatility and flexibility offered through modularity and mobility of ground support equipment would enable us to operate Drishti from naval air stations across Bharat.
I am confident that Drishti, once fully developed, would play a pivotal role in shaping our future naval operations towards safeguarding India’s national maritime interests in the ocean named after her, and ensure maritime security in collaboration with our friends and partners in this region.
Today’s ceremony represents Bharatiya Nausena’s unwavering commitment to Rashtra Nirman to achieve our Armaan to be a fully Aatmanirbhar Force by 2047.
Supporting us in our endeavour is Team Bharat’s promising indigenous defence manufacturing community comprising public and private sector entities, academia, innovators and dreamers.
And, it is industries like you – Adani Defence Systems and Technologies Limited, that play a crucial role in contributing to our collective effort to realise, a Viksit and Aatmanirbhar Bharat in our Amrit Kaal, I am sure that you will continue with the same enthusiasm, eagerness, and energy in meeting all the expectations of the Navy’s vision for Drishti; fulfilling all other contractual obligations; and working shoulder-to-shoulder with the Navy in ensuring that these platforms retain their operational edge throughout their life cycle. Going forward, I urge you to give flight to your imaginations, to soar beyond conventional boundaries and to dream of frontiers yet to be conquered. This quest will invariably require not just ‘leapfrogging’, but ‘pole-vaulting’ technological advancements. I assure you that the Navy will partner you all the way.
Before concluding a word to the men and women in whites present here today I firmly believe that, irrespective of the scope and scale of military technological advancements, it is us, the human element in uniform, who remain the principal guarantors of our nation’s safety and security. While every effort is being made by the country to enable and equip the Armed Forces, it is our onerous responsibility to make every rupee count by ensuring highest levels of system performance and combat-readiness.
The enthusiasm and josh that I see in your faces, gives me every confidence that each one of you will ‘do your duty and do it well’. Demand the Best of Team Adani and I am sure Drishti will deliver.
Ladies and gentlemen, may Drishti be our third-eye in the sky, providing us battlefield transparency with incisive clarity, enabling the Bharatiya Nausena to score a bulls-eye on anyone who dares cast an evil-eye at the Nation and our citizens.
I wish you all, every success in this and future endeavours.
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