Elbit's Hermes 900 Drone Crashes Again in India, Prompting Naval Inquiry

India's navy has launched an investigation after the Drishti 10 drone, a locally produced version of Elbit Systems' Hermes 900 Starliner, crashed during a training flight near the village of Drampar in Gujarat on March 8. This marks the second crash of the drone within less than two years, with a similar incident occurring in January 2010 near the same area, which hosts an Indian naval airbase. The Hermes 900 Starliner is an enlarged variant of the Hermes 900, capable of flying in civilian air corridors and is currently operated by Switzerland and the Philippines as well. Valued at over $10 million, the drone is significant for India as it is the country's first medium-sized, long-range unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) produced domestically under license by the Adani Group, fulfilling Prime Minister Narendra Modi's directive to procure only locally manufactured defense systems. Approximately 60% of its components are made in India, with the remainder supplied by Israel. The drone can remain airborne for up to 36 hours, carry a payload of 450 kilograms, and reach altitudes of 30,000 feet. While India has not disclosed whether the drone is armed or used solely for surveillance, it plays a crucial role in the country's strategic posture against China and Pakistan. The Adani Group confirmed the drone has been operational with the Indian navy since its initial delivery in 2024 and pledged full cooperation in the ongoing investigation. Separately, Elbit Systems is set to showcase the Hermes 45 drone for the first time at the Paris Air Show.