Bharat Forge, Flying Whales Partner To Develop Heavy-Lift Airships For India
Bharat Forge has signed a strategic agreement with French-Canadian aerospace firm Flying Whales to jointly develop and manufacture 60-tonne heavy-lift airships in India. The partnership, announced at the Farnborough International Air Show 2026, aims to establish sovereign heavy-lift airship capabilities while strengthening India's aerospace and defence manufacturing ecosystem.
The collaboration will focus on the LCA60T heavy-lift airship, which features vertical take-off and landing (VTOL), hybrid-electric propulsion, and the ability to transport up to 60 tonnes of cargo without requiring extensive ground infrastructure. The platform is expected to support military logistics, supply missions to remote border areas, humanitarian assistance, disaster relief, and potentially intelligence, surveillance, and communication roles.On Date: