Bharat Forge Limited has announced a collaboration with Pratt & Whitney Canada to explore the integration of advanced turboprop engines into India’s indigenous High-Altitude, Long-Endurance (HALE) Unmanned Aerial Vehicle (UAV) program. This partnership aims to enhance India’s aerospace and defense manufacturing capabilities, supporting the government’s ‘Aatmanirbhar Bharat’ initiative. The collaboration will focus on engine compatibility, performance, and airframe integration for a critical defense platform.
Strategic Aerospace Collaboration Announced
Bharat Forge Limited, a Pune-based multinational company, has entered into a strategic collaboration with Pratt & Whitney Canada to explore the integration of advanced turboprop engines for India’s indigenous High-Altitude, Long-Endurance (HALE) Unmanned Aerial Vehicle (UAV) program. The announcement, dated September 15, 2026, marks a significant step in advancing India’s aerospace and defense manufacturing sector.
Focus on Indigenous UAV Development
This collaboration directly supports India’s efforts under the ‘Aatmanirbhar Bharat’ initiative, aiming to bolster indigenous defense capabilities. Pratt & Whitney Canada will assess engine compatibility, performance, and installation requirements, while Bharat Forge will lead the crucial engine-airframe integration. This includes detailed installation design and system interfaces, leveraging Bharat Forge’s extensive engineering and aerospace systems expertise.
Strengthening Defense Preparedness
Amit Kalyani, Vice Chairman and Joint Managing Director of Bharat Forge Ltd., expressed pride in the collaboration, stating, “By combining Pratt & Whitney’s globally proven propulsion technologies with Bharat Forge’s engineering and systems integration expertise, we aim to support development of a world-class HALE platform that strengthens India’s strategic self-reliance and defense preparedness.”
Ashish Saraf, Vice President and Country Head, Pratt & Whitney, highlighted the alignment with India’s defense ambitions. “Pratt & Whitney Canada’s turboprop engines have a proven legacy of reliability in demanding operational environments, which is exactly what’s needed for India’s HALE program,” he noted. HALE UAVs are vital for long-endurance surveillance, intelligence, and reconnaissance across both land and maritime domains.
Source: BSE
