Global metal forging company Bharat Forge Ltd announced on Tuesday (September 15) a strategic collaboration with Pratt & Whitney Canada to evaluate advanced turboprop engine integration into India's high-altitude, long-endurance (HALE) unmanned aerial vehicle programme. According to reports from CNBC TV18, Business Standard, and PTI, the partnership will assess engine compatibility, performance and installation requirements for India's next-generation HALE UAV programme, which is designed and developed by India's Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO). These HALE drones are designed for long surveillance missions over land and sea, representing smarter, longer-lasting eyes in the sky for India's strategic capabilities. The collaboration aims to support development of a world-class HALE platform that strengthens India's strategic self-reliance and defense preparedness through the combination of Pratt & Whitney's globally proven propulsion technologies with Bharat Forge's engineering and systems integration expertise.
As reported by CNBC TV18, Business Standard, and PTI, Pratt & Whitney Canada, an RTX business, will evaluate the engine's compatibility, performance and installation requirements, while Bharat Forge will lead the engine-airframe integration. Bharat Forge's scope will include installation design and systems interfaces, drawing on its engineering, manufacturing and aerospace systems capabilities. The collaboration supports India's indigenous unmanned aerial systems efforts under the government's Aatmanirbhar Bharat initiative, combining global technology with local expertise to enhance India's defense capabilities. ALE UAVs provide long-endurance surveillance, intelligence and reconnaissance across land and maritime domains, according to Bharat Forge. This builds on their existing aerospace manufacturing partnership and strengthens Bharat Forge's position in India's defence indigenisation landscape.
According to CNBC TV18, Business Standard, and PTI, Amit Kalyani, Vice Chairman and Joint Managing Director of Bharat Forge Ltd, stated that the company's aerospace business is proud to collaborate with Pratt & Whitney Canada to advance India's indigenous aerospace and defense manufacturing capabilities. Ashish Saraf, Vice President and Country Head of Pratt & Whitney, emphasized that the collaboration reflects their continued commitment to supporting India's aerospace and defense ambitions, noting that Pratt & Whitney Canada's turboprop engines have a proven legacy of reliability in demanding operational environments. As Kalyani noted, this partnership represents a big step toward boosting India's defense capabilities with the mix of global technology and local expertise. The initiative to explore turboprop engines with Pratt & Whitney Canada addresses a critical gap in India's defence capabilities—indigenous aircraft propulsion, as most tactical drones in India rely on foreign-sourced powerplants.
According to latest financial reports, Bharat Forge reported a consolidated revenue of ₹4,639.94 crore for Q1 FY27, representing a year-on-year growth of 18.7%. However, the company recorded a consolidated net loss of ₹89.73 crore in Q1 FY27, heavily impacted by an exceptional restructuring provision of ₹330.42 crore for its German subsidiary BF CDP. The company's aerospace business is expected to double in size over the next two years, with management anticipating margin recovery as overseas restructuring expenses subside. In June 2026, Bharat Forge secured a major ₹4,258 crore contract from the Ministry of Defence to supply 12 marine gas turbine generator sets. Additionally, in September 2026, Kalyani Powertrain completed the divestment of its entire 50% equity stake in joint venture REFU Drive GmbH for a cash consideration of EUR 12,500, eliminating a capital-dragging asset that carried a negative net worth of EUR 3.23 million in the preceding fiscal year.
