Bharat Forge and Flying Whales Partner to Build Airships in India

FARNBOROUGH, United Kingdom — Pune-based multinational engineering firm Bharat Forge Limited announced on July 22, 2026, that its Aerospace Division has signed a strategic Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with French-Canadian aerospace pioneer FLYING WHALES. The partnership aims to jointly develop, manufacture, and deploy advanced heavy-lift airships in India to meet national defense and sovereign operational needs.

The agreement, executed at the Farnborough International Airshow 2026, supports the Indian government’s Aatmanirbhar Bharat (Self-Reliant India) and Make in India initiatives by laying the groundwork for an indigenous airship industrial ecosystem.

Technical Specifications and Strategic Scope

The collaboration centers on the LCA60T, a next-generation heavy-lift rigid airship developed by FLYING WHALES. Designed for point-to-point transport in remote and hostile environments, the platform features:

• Payload Capacity: Up to 60 tonnes of cargo.

• Take-Off & Landing: Vertical Take-Off and Landing (VTOL) capability requiring minimal ground infrastructure.

• Propulsion: Hybrid-electric powertrain designed to lower emissions and operating costs.

Data sourced from official press disclosures filed with BSE Limited and the National Stock Exchange of India Limited.

Under the terms of the agreement, the companies will explore specific defense applications:

• Heavy-lift logistics support to forward operating military bases.

• Transportation of oversized equipment and critical military supplies.

• Intelligence, Surveillance, and Reconnaissance (ISR) missions.

• Airborne communication relay systems.

• Humanitarian Assistance and Disaster Relief (HADR) operations in difficult border terrains.

Official Sources Section

The agreement was signed by Guru Biswal, CEO of Aerospace at Bharat Forge Limited, and Sébastien Bougon, President of FLYING WHALES, at the Farnborough International Airshow 2026 in the United Kingdom.

Regulatory disclosures regarding the MoU were formally filed with BSE Limited (Scrip Code: 500493) and the National Stock Exchange of India Limited (Symbol: BHARATFORG) by Tejaswini Chaudhari, Company Secretary and Compliance Officer at Bharat Forge Limited, on July 22, 2026.

Executive Statements

"Airships will redefine how nations move, supply and sustain their forces, and India will lead that change. This strategic partnership places India among a select group of nations with the capability to design, build and field heavy-lift airships, bringing together FLYING WHALES' pioneering technology and Bharat Forge's six decades of advanced engineering strength and deep understanding of India's defence needs. Aligned to the spirit of Aatmanirbhar Bharat, we are creating a sovereign capability, a new industrial ecosystem and an entirely new dimension of strategic mobility for the nation."

— Amit Kalyani, Vice Chairman & Joint Managing Director, Bharat Forge Limited

"The LCA60T was conceived to reach the world's most remote and demanding locations, and that promise finds its fullest expression in India, with its vast geography, challenging terrain and extraordinary ambition. We are delighted to partner with Bharat Forge, whose engineering depth, defence expertise and shared vision make this a true strategic alliance to take the programme to scale. Together, we will build in India, for India and for the world, laying the foundations of an airship industry that will serve this region for generations."

— Tanguy Lestienne, Chief Executive Officer, FLYING WHALES SERVICES

Why It Matters

Establishing a local manufacturing footprint for heavy-lift airships offers concrete advantages for national defense and civil infrastructure:

• Strategic Border Logistics: The ability to move 60-tonne loads directly to high-altitude or mountainous border regions without runways addresses terrain limitations in difficult geographic zones.

• Disaster Response & Relief: Rapid deployment capabilities allow emergency supplies and heavy machinery to reach areas isolated by natural disasters.

• Aerospace Supply Chain Expansion: Localized production, integration, and assembly are expected to generate high-technology engineering jobs, foster specialized supply chains, and position India as a future exporter of airship platforms.

Key Facts at a Glance

• Agreement Date: Signed on July 22, 2026, at the Farnborough International Airshow.

• Primary Platform: FLYING WHALES LCA60T rigid airship with a 60-tonne payload capacity.

• Key Features: VTOL capabilities, minimal ground infrastructure requirements, and hybrid-electric propulsion.

• Strategic Focus: Defense logistics, forward base support, ISR, communication relay, and disaster relief.

• Industrial Goal: Localized manufacturing and assembly under India's Make in India initiative.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the payload capacity of the LCA60T airship?

The LCA60T platform is designed to transport up to 60 tonnes of heavy or oversized cargo.

Does the LCA60T airship require conventional airport runways?

No. The platform utilizes Vertical Take-Off and Landing (VTOL) technology and requires minimal ground infrastructure, allowing it to operate in remote regions lacking airport facilities.

Where will these airships be manufactured?

Under the MoU, Bharat Forge Aerospace and FLYING WHALES plan to establish local manufacturing, integration, and assembly facilities within India.

Source: Official regulatory disclosures and press releases filed by Bharat Forge Limited with BSE Limited and the National Stock Exchange of India Limited.