Bharat Forge and Turgis Gaillard to Collaborate on AAROK UAV Manufacturing in India
Bharat Forge has entered into a memorandum of understanding with the French aerospace company Turgis Gaillard to collaboratively produce the AAROK Medium Altitude Long Endurance (MALE) Unmanned Aerial Vehicle (UAV) in India. This agreement is designed to fulfill the Indian armed forces' increasing need for long-endurance UAVs capable of precision strikes, while also promoting local manufacturing in alignment with India's defense autonomy goals.
The AAROK UAV can operate at altitudes ranging from 10,000 to 30,000 feet and maintain flight for up to 48 hours. It is engineered for extensive surveillance and attack missions, capable of carrying a payload exceeding 1.5 tonnes. With integrated command and control systems, it delivers real-time tactical intelligence and employs electromagnetic sensors and radar to observe enemy positions from safe distances, targeting critical assets such as surface-to-air missile systems.
Bharat Forge, which has significant expertise in the defense, aerospace, and automotive industries, plans to set up a production facility in India for the AAROK UAV. The company highlighted that this partnership will bolster local production capabilities in manufacturing, maintenance, and overhaul, thereby enhancing India's self-reliance in defense.
The AAROK UAV is set to play a role in multi-domain operations, including joint and maritime missions. Its extended endurance and sophisticated sensors make it an essential tool for overseeing territorial waters and monitoring unauthorized activities at sea.
India currently operates Israeli Heron drones as part of its MALE UAV fleet, and is in the process of acquiring MQ-9B UAVs from the United States while developing indigenous TAPAS UAVs. The introduction of the AAROK will enhance these capabilities, offering increased versatility and firepower to India's unmanned systems.
This collaboration further extends Bharat Forge's global presence in high-tech manufacturing. The company operates facilities in five countries, providing comprehensive design-to-delivery solutions across a variety of sectors.
