General Atomics Partners With Bharat Forge To Produce Unmanned Aircrafts In India

There may be a significant capability development and boost to India's sizeable unmanned aircraft industry following the partnership between San Diego-based General Atomics Aeronautical Systems (GA-ASI), a subsidiary of General Atomics and Bharat Forge announced on Wednesday.

It will also assist India in developing a high-end drone manufacturing ecosystem. The move will allow India to produce main landing gear components, sub-assemblies and assemblies for remotely piloted aircraft.

“GA-ASI is excited to collaborate with Bharat Forge in the critical field of aerostructure manufacturing,” said Vivek Lall, Chief Executive Officer of General Atomics Global Corporation, according to a media report.

Bharat Forge, which has over five decades of experience in manufacturing a wide range of high-performance, critical safety components, offers full-service supply capability from concept to product design, engineering, manufacturing, testing and validation, according to a media release.

“Bharat Forge's expertise in the field of forging is well known around the world and their outstanding contributions in the aerospace sector have inspired us to collaborate on the next generation of the world's most advanced unmanned aerial vehicles,” Lall said.

According to Baba Kalyani, Chairman and Managing Director of Bharat Forge Limited, aerospace is a high-tech domain that relies on product integrity, reliability and zero defect.

“This distinct culture necessitates a strong emphasis on people and processes. Our collaboration with GA-ASI, as part of our Aerospace Growth Strategy, is a strong testimony of our culture in Bharat Forge Aerospace to assimilate and demonstrate the same, as partners to General Atomics, in making India Atmanirbhar,” according to Kalyani.