The Indian Navy's recently acquired Hermes 900 drone crashed during test flights in Porbandar, Gujarat, military sources confirmed. The unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV), valued at approximately ₹145 crore, was undergoing routine trials when the incident occurred.
The Hermes 900, manufactured through a collaboration between Adani Defense and Aerospace and Israeli defense firm Elbit Systems, was procured to enhance the Indian Navy's surveillance and reconnaissance capabilities.
The drone was part of India's military modernization efforts and was designed to augment the navy's intelligence-gathering operations. Sources familiar with the program indicated that an investigation into the cause of the crash would be conducted.
This incident follows several other technical challenges faced by the Indian Navy in recent months. In September 2024, the submarine INS Arighat was decommissioned following technical difficulties, while the warship INS Brahmaputra experienced a fire incident in July 2024.
The Indian Navy currently maintains a fleet of naval assets including submarines and surveillance aircraft. The Hermes 900 drone system was intended to strengthen its maritime patrol and reconnaissance capabilities along India's coastal regions.
Military analysts note that the integration of advanced defense technology requires sophisticated maintenance protocols and operational expertise. The investigation into this incident is expected to provide insights that could inform future deployments of similar systems.
The Indian defense establishment continues to invest in modernizing its military capabilities, with a particular focus on maritime security and surveillance systems.
