India-based Bharat Forge has signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with France’s Turgis Gaillard to collaborate on uncrewed aerial autos (UAV).
The Franco-Indian partnership will deal with the co-development and manufacturing of the next-generation medium altitude lengthy endurance (MALE) UAV, Aarok, in India.
The collaboration presents the Indian army with a functionality, meant to boost operational capabilities inside a networked fight atmosphere.
“This strategic alliance displays a shared imaginative and prescient of sovereign defence functionality, superior expertise, and industrial excellence,” Bharat Forge stated in a put up on its official LinkedIn account.
Designed by Turgis & Gaillard, Aarok leverages superior optronic and electromagnetic sensors, to carry out intelligence, surveillance, reconnaissance (ISR) operations in “high-intensity conflicts”. It’s totally developed in France.
Furthermore, the UAV is designed to hold standoff weapons and might execute a spread of fight missions from shut air help to suppression of enemy air defences and air interdiction on excessive worth goal.
As per the phrases of the MoU, Bharat Forge will completely undertake the manufacturing and integration of Aarok drone in India.
This association is in accordance with the nation’s ‘Make in India’ and ‘Atmanirbhar Bharat’ insurance policies, which emphasise home manufacturing and self-sufficiency, stated the Indian firm.
Bharat Forge is about to create an on-site manufacturing line for the Aarok drone.
This native manufacturing capability goals to handle the substantial necessities of the Indian armed forces, guaranteeing full management over upkeep and overhaul processes.
“This collaboration isn’t nearly expertise—it’s about belief, switch of functionality, and constructing a strategic aerospace future collectively. A daring step towards joint innovation, defence autonomy, and a stronger world safety structure,” Bharat Forge stated.
Earlier in June 2025, Turgis Gaillard joined forces with Thales to supply absolutely French MALE drone answer for ISR missions. This partnership will facilitate potential future integration of further Thales sensors onto the Aarok drone platform.
Thales is about to supply the AirMaster S radar, a complicated multirole energetic electronically scanned array system, whereas Turgis Gaillard can be liable for delivering the Aarok MALE drone.
