Bharat Forge Limited, through its Aerospace Division, has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with FLYING WHALES, a French-Canadian global pioneer in heavy-lift airship technology, to jointly develop, manufacture and field, advanced airships for India’s defence and strategic operational requirements. The MoU was signed by Mr. Guru BISWAL, CEO Aerospace, Bharat Forge Limited, and Mr. Sébastien BOUGON, President, FLYING WHALES, at the Farnborough International Airshow 2026.
The partnership marks a decisive step towards building an indigenous airship ecosystem in India, aligned to the Government's Aatmanirbhar Bharat and Make in India initiatives. The two companies will work towards establishing in India the manufacture, integration and production of FLYING WHALES-Bharat Forge airships for Defence applications, creating sovereign capabilities in a strategically important aerospace segment.
At the core of the collaboration is the LCA60T platform- FLYING WHALES next-generation heavy-lift airship capable of transporting up to 60 tonnes of cargo with vertical take-off and landing capability, minimal ground infrastructure requirements, and hybrid-electric propulsion. Designed for point-to-point operations in challenging and remote environments, the platform opens new possibilities for military logistics, strategic mobility and disaster response.
The partnership will explore defence applications including logistics support to forward operating bases, transportation of oversized equipment and critical military supplies, intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance missions, communication relay systems, humanitarian assistance and disaster relief operations, and rapid deployment in remote border regions and difficult terrains.
"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," said Mr. 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," said Mr. Tanguy Lestienne, Chief Executive Officer, FLYING WHALES SERVICES.
The proposed localisation programme is expected to generate high-technology employment, develop an advanced supply chain and create future export opportunities, further strengthening India's position as a global aerospace manufacturing hub.