Kalyani Group Aerospace & Defence Company Signs Strategic MoU with FLYING WHALES to Develop Heavy-Lift Airships in India; Share Price Near 52-Week High

On Wednesday, Indian equity benchmark indices traded lower, with the benchmark Nifty 50 index declining 207.50 points, or 0.86 per cent, to 23,980.20. Amid the broader market weakness,  Bharat Forge share price was trading at Rs 2,189.50, down 0.56 per cent, after the company announced a strategic partnership with global heavy-lift airship developer FLYING WHALES. At the current market price of Rs 2,189.50, Bharat Forge is trading just 2.12 per cent below its 52-week high of Rs 2,236.95. The stock has more than doubled from its 52-week low of Rs 1,100.50

Strategic MoU for Heavy-Lift Airships

Bharat Forge, through its Aerospace Division, has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with FLYING WHALES, a French-Canadian aerospace company specialising in heavy-lift airship technology, to jointly develop, manufacture and deploy advanced airships for India's defence and strategic operational requirements.

The agreement was signed during the Farnborough International Airshow 2026 by Guru Biswal, CEO – Aerospace, Bharat Forge, and Sébastien Bougon, President, FLYING WHALES. The collaboration aims to establish indigenous manufacturing, integration and production of heavy-lift airships in India, in line with the Government's Aatmanirbhar Bharat and Make in India initiatives.
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LCA60T Heavy-Lift Airship

The partnership will focus on the LCA60T, FLYING WHALES' next-generation heavy-lift airship capable of transporting up to 60 tonnes of cargo with vertical take-off and landing (VTOL) capability, hybrid-electric propulsion and minimal ground infrastructure requirements.

According to the company, the platform is designed for operations in remote and challenging terrains and is expected to support military logistics, strategic mobility and disaster response missions.

Defence Applications

The companies will explore multiple defence and strategic applications for the platform, including logistics support for forward operating bases, transportation of oversized military equipment and critical supplies, intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance (ISR) missions, communication relay systems, humanitarian assistance and disaster relief operations, and rapid deployment across remote border regions.

Management Commentary

Commenting on the partnership, Amit Kalyani, Vice Chairman and Joint Managing Director, Bharat Forge Limited, said: "Airships will redefine how nations move, supply and sustain their forces, and India will lead that change. This strategic partnership places India among a select group of nations with the capability to design, build and field heavy-lift airships, bringing together FLYING WHALES' pioneering technology and Bharat Forge's six decades of advanced engineering strength and deep understanding of India's defence needs. Aligned to the spirit of Aatmanirbhar Bharat, we are creating a sovereign capability, a new industrial ecosystem and an entirely new dimension of strategic mobility for the nation."

Tanguy Lestienne, Chief Executive Officer, FLYING WHALES SERVICES, added: "The LCA60T was conceived to reach the world's most remote and demanding locations, and that promise finds its fullest expression in India, with its vast geography, challenging terrain and extraordinary ambition. We are delighted to partner with Bharat Forge, whose engineering depth, defence expertise and shared vision make this a true strategic alliance to take the programme to scale. Together, we will build in India, for India and for the world, laying the foundations of an airship industry that will serve this region for generations."

Localisation and Manufacturing

The proposed localisation programme is expected to generate high-technology employment, develop an advanced domestic aerospace supply chain and create future export opportunities, further strengthening India's position as a global aerospace manufacturing hub.

About Bharat Forge

Bharat Forge Ltd is a Pune-based multinational engineering company engaged in manufacturing high-performance and safety-critical components across the automotive, aerospace, defence, rail, marine, energy and industrial sectors. Through its aerospace business, the company designs and manufactures advanced aerospace, defence and marine systems and components while supporting India's indigenous defence manufacturing capabilities.

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Disclaimer: The article is for informational purposes only and should not be construed as investment advice.