National, July 23, 2026: 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 willredefine how nations move,supply and sustain theirforces, and India will lead that change. Thisstrategic partnership placesIndia 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 ofstrategic mobility forthe 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.
About Bharat Forge
Bharat Forge Limited (BFL), a Pune-based Indian multinational company, is a technology-driven global leader in providing innovative, high performance and safety-critical components and solutions across automotive, aerospace, defence, rail, marine, energy and industrial sectors. With a global manufacturing footprint and world-class engineering capabilities, BFL is atthe forefront ofsupporting India’sstrategic industrial and defence ambitions.
About Bharat Forge Aerospace
Bharat Forge Aerospace focuses on the design, development and manufacture of critical aerospace, defence and marine systems, structures and components. Leveraging advanced manufacturing technologies and strategic collaborations with global aerospace leaders, the business is committed to positioning India as a trusted centre for aerospace innovation and production.
About FLYING WHALES
FLYING WHALES is a French-Canadian aerospace company developing the LCA60T, a next-generation heavy-liftrigid airship capable of carrying 60 tonnes of cargo directly to locations without conventional airport infrastructure. Designed to deliver sustainable, efficient and versatile logistics solutions, the LCA60T is expected to transform cargo transportation, strategic mobility and remote-area operations worldwide. FLYING WHALES SERVICES is FLYING WHALES’ operation company of the LCA60T solution.
