Bharat Forge & Windracers Announce Strategic MoU on UAV Operations in India

Bharat Forge Limited (BFL) and Windracers Limited, the UK-based manufacturer of dual-use heavy-lift drone, signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) to collaborate on the deployment, localisation and application of Windracers ULTRA Unmanned Aerial Vehicle (UAV) across India at DSEI 2025.

The partnership builds on the UK-India Free Trade Agreement (FTA), advancing aerospace technology transfer and innovation in both countries, and aligns with the goals of India-UK Vision 2035. The MoU begins with an initial two-year term, offering both companies the opportunity to advance localisation, conduct joint trials and shape a definitive agreement for deployment in India.

Together, Bharat Forge and Windracers expect to address emerging requirements across the Indian military and civil sectors with ULTRA’s capabilities, including Carrier On Board Delivery (COD) operations for the Indian Navy, critical logistics for Indian Army and Indian Airforce, and other key roles in varied operational environments.

“We are delighted to partner with Windracers under the positive climate fostered by the UK-India FTA,” said Amit Kalyani, joint MD of Bharat Forge. “Windracers ULTRA not only enhances India’s indigenous UAV capabilities but also delivers robust solutions for high-stakes logistics across some of the world’s most challenging geographies. With an industry-leading payload capacity and proven performance in high-altitude, maritime, and remote terrains, Windracers ULTRA is uniquely suited to tri-service needs expanding our reach with an offering tailored to all three domains—naval, air and land—and aligning with Indian ministry of defence’s 15-year roadmap that prioritises unmanned logistics, naval operations, high-altitude supply chains, and dual-use technologies.”

Windracers ULTRA has already proven its multi-mission resilience and reliability in international operations, including its ongoing support for Antarctic research missions, and is expected to deliver similar advantages to India by enabling safe and efficient transport over hazardous and inaccessible terrain.

CEO of Windracers, Simon Muderack said: “Collaborating with Bharat Forge represents a major step in expanding the dual-use operation of Windracers ULTRA. Our partnership will leverage the years of ULTRA research, development, testing and operation, and deliver strategic benefits and operational autonomy for India’s defence and civil stakeholders.”

Windracers ULTRA uses proprietary mission control and autopilot systems and is designed for endurance missions of six to seven hours. ULTRA is designed and built to operate across diverse environments, from India’s oceanic and island regions, high-altitude Himalayan terrain, and the remote Northeast of India.

The MoU aligns with Bharat Forge’s and Windracers’ broader aerospace growth strategy of advancing UAV capabilities in India, supporting innovation, technology transfer and strategic aerospace applications across defence.