Bharat Forge Ltd and Pratt & Whitney Canada, an RTX business, have announced a collaboration to evaluate the integration of advanced turboprop engines into a high-altitude, long-endurance (HALE) unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) programme being designed and developed by the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO). The collaboration will examine the use of turboprop propulsion for India’s next-generation indigenous HALE UAV programme and supports the country’s efforts to strengthen domestic capabilities in unmanned aerial systems under the Aatmanirbhar Bharat initiative.
Under the collaboration, Pratt & Whitney Canada will evaluate engine compatibility, performance and installation requirements for the UAV platform. Bharat Forge will lead the engine-airframe integration activities, including installation design and systems interfaces, drawing on its engineering, manufacturing and aerospace systems capabilities.
“Bharat Forge Aerospace business is proud to collaborate with Pratt & Whitney Canada to advance India’s indigenous aerospace and defense manufacturing capabilities,” said Amit Kalyani, Vice Chairman and Joint Managing Director, Bharat Forge Ltd. “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.”
The evaluation will focus on the technical requirements involved in integrating the propulsion system with the UAV airframe. Engine compatibility and performance will be assessed alongside installation and interface requirements to determine the suitability of the propulsion solution for the platform.
“This collaboration with Bharat Forge reflects our continued commitment to supporting India’s aerospace and defense ambitions,” said Ashish Saraf, Vice President and Country Head, Pratt & Whitney. “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.”
HALE UAVs are designed to operate at high altitudes for extended periods and can support surveillance, intelligence and reconnaissance missions across land and maritime domains. Their long endurance and operational range make propulsion performance and reliability important elements of platform development.
The collaboration brings together Pratt & Whitney Canada’s experience in turboprop propulsion with Bharat Forge’s capabilities in aerospace engineering, manufacturing and systems integration. The companies will work together to assess the requirements for incorporating the propulsion system into the indigenous HALE platform.
The initiative forms part of Bharat Forge Aerospace’s efforts to develop capabilities in aerospace and defence systems and support partnerships with global aerospace companies. It also aligns with India’s broader focus on developing domestic aerospace and defence manufacturing capabilities.
Bharat Forge Limited (BFL), headquartered in Pune, is a technology-driven manufacturer of components and solutions for the automotive, aerospace, defence, rail, marine, energy and industrial sectors. The company has a global manufacturing footprint and engineering capabilities supporting a range of safety-critical applications.
Bharat Forge Aerospace designs, develops and manufactures aerospace, defence and marine systems, structures and components. The business uses advanced manufacturing technologies and collaborations with global aerospace companies to develop aerospace engineering and production capabilities in India.
