Bharat Forge Ltd announced on Tuesday that it has signed an agreement with French aerospace company Turgis Gaillard to offer the AAROK unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) to India’s Ministry of Defence. The AAROK is a Medium-Altitude Long-Endurance (MALE) drone, designed to provide advanced surveillance capabilities at a lower cost of acquisition and deployment. It is equipped to operate at high altitudes for extended periods, carrying out long-range reconnaissance missions.
According to the company, the UAV uses onboard radar and electromagnetic sensors to track enemy activity while remaining at a safe distance from threats. “With AAROK, Bharat Forge and Turgis Gaillard aim to provide India’s armed forces with a durable, advanced UAV system that can be scaled and integrated into a modern battlefield environment,” the statement said.
Bharat Forge also plans to set up a local production line for the AAROK platform. The company noted that domestic manufacturing will help meet the military’s growing requirements while ensuring full control over maintenance and upgrades. The AAROK drone can carry over 1.5 tonnes of payload and is permanently linked to command and control networks, relaying real-time data to support tactical decision-making. It is capable of remaining airborne for more than 24 hours.
Bharat Forge Limited (BFL), headquartered in Pune, is a globally recognized Indian multinational known for its technology-driven approach and leadership in high-performance, safety-critical components and solutions. Serving a diverse range of sectors—including automotive, power, oil & gas, construction and mining, rail, marine, defence, and aerospace—BFL is trusted by leading global customers for its engineering excellence and innovation.
With manufacturing operations spanning five countries, BFL boasts one of the world’s most extensive repositories of metallurgical expertise. The company provides comprehensive, end-to-end capabilities—from concept development and product design to engineering, manufacturing, testing, and validation—ensuring seamless service delivery to its global customer base.
