Bharat Forge Partners with Windracers to Deploy ULTRA UAV Across India

In a significant move to bolster India's unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) capabilities, Bharat Forge Limited has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with UK-based Windracers Limited. The agreement, formalized at the DSEI UK 2025 defense exhibition in London, focuses on the deployment, localization, and application of Windracers' ULTRA UAV across India. This collaboration aims to enhance logistics and operational efficiency in both defense and civil sectors.

Specifications of the Windracers ULTRA UAV

The Windracers ULTRA UAV is a robust, self-flying cargo aircraft designed for heavy-lift operations.

• It features a 10-meter wingspan and is powered by two 50 hp Hirth F23 engines, doubling the power output of its predecessor.

• The UAV has a maximum take-off weight of 510 kg and can carry a useful payload of up to 150 kg over distances of up to 1,000 km.

• Its design includes a twin-boom configuration with a high T-tail, allowing easy access to its 700-liter cargo compartment.

• The aircraft operates autonomously using Windracers' Masterless avionics system, which ensures automated takeoff and landing capabilities.

• The system’s dual or triple redundancy design ensures safe operation even in the event of hardware or software failures.

Strategic Implications for India

This partnership aligns with the UK-India Free Trade Agreement (FTA) and supports the goals of the India-UK Vision 2035.
Amit Kalyani, Joint Managing Director of Bharat Forge, emphasized that the Windracers ULTRA UAV enhances India's indigenous UAV capabilities and provides robust solutions for high-stakes logistics across some of the world's most challenging geographies.

The MoU, initially set for a two-year term, allows both companies to advance localization efforts, conduct joint trials, and establish a definitive deployment agreement in India.
The collaboration is expected to address emerging requirements across the Indian military and civil sectors, including Carrier On Board Delivery (COD) operations for the Indian Navy, critical logistics for the Indian Army and Air Force, and other key roles in varied operational environments.

Simon Muderack, CEO of Windracers, noted that collaborating with Bharat Forge represents a major step in expanding the dual-use operation of the Windracers ULTRA. The partnership leverages years of research, development, testing, and operation to deliver strategic benefits and operational autonomy for India's defense and civil stakeholders.

The collaboration between Bharat Forge and Windracers marks a significant advancement in India's UAV capabilities, promising enhanced logistics and operational efficiency across various sectors.