An unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) of the Indian Navy, identified as 'Drishti-10', crashed into an open field near Porbandar city in Gujarat on Wednesday afternoon during a training sortie. The incident occurred shortly after the drone took off from the Naval Air Enclave in Porbandar, but no casualties or injuries were reported, according to officials.
Crash Details and Location
The UAV crash-landed in an open field at Dharampur village, approximately 6 kilometers from the coastal city in the Saurashtra region, confirmed Porbandar District Collector S D Dhanani. He stated that the cause of the crash was yet to be ascertained and that Navy personnel had already arrived at the spot to begin an investigation.
“A UAV of the Indian Navy crash-landed near Dharampur village. No one was killed or injured in the incident. Navy personnel already reached the spot and started further investigation,” Dhanani told reporters.
Official Confirmation by Indian Navy
Later in the evening, the Indian Navy officially confirmed the crash of the Drishti-10 UAV via a statement on its official X handle. The statement read: “Indian Navy confirms the crash of Uncrewed Aerial Vehicle Drishti-10, 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 emphasized that there were no injuries or loss of life on the ground, and a thorough investigation into the incident is underway.
Implications and Safety Measures
The Drishti-10 UAV is a medium-altitude, long-endurance unmanned aerial system used by the Indian Navy for surveillance and reconnaissance missions. The crash raises questions about the operational reliability of such platforms, though the Navy has not disclosed any prior technical issues. The investigation will likely focus on mechanical failure, pilot error, or environmental factors.
Local authorities and Navy personnel have secured the crash site to prevent any potential hazards and to facilitate the investigation. The incident did not result in any damage to civilian property or infrastructure, as the UAV landed in an unpopulated agricultural field.
The Indian Navy continues to operate a fleet of UAVs for maritime patrol and intelligence gathering, and such incidents are rare but underscore the risks associated with unmanned aviation. Further updates are expected once the investigation concludes.
