Indian Army, Navy Place ₹300-Crore Emergency Orders for Bharat Forge Unmanned Platforms

PUNE : Bharat Forge Limited has secured defence contracts worth approximately ₹300 crore under India’s Emergency Procurement – VI (EP-VI) framework, marking a significant boost to the country’s indigenous unmanned systems programme for both the Indian Army and the Indian Navy.

The contracts, awarded to Bharat Forge’s aerospace and defence division, cover a range of homegrown unmanned platforms, including Intelligence, Surveillance and Reconnaissance (ISR) systems and loitering munitions, developed to meet urgent operational requirements across diverse terrains and mission profiles.

Emergency Procurement Focuses on Unmanned Warfare

According to details released by the company, the EP-VI orders reflect the Indian military’s growing emphasis on rapidly deployable, autonomous and EW-resistant unmanned solutions amid evolving battlefield conditions. Emergency procurement procedures are designed to fast-track acquisitions of critical systems, allowing the armed forces to induct proven technologies without lengthy tender cycles.

The unmanned systems covered under the contracts are intended for frontline operational use, supporting real-time surveillance, target acquisition and precision strike missions. Both the Army and the Navy are expected to deploy these platforms for land and maritime roles, enhancing situational awareness and strike capability while reducing risk to personnel.

Indigenous Platforms: ISR and Loitering Munitions

Bharat Forge confirmed that the contracts include multiple indigenous unmanned platforms, notably:

• ISR systems designed for persistent battlefield surveillance, reconnaissance and intelligence gathering.

• Loitering munitions, capable of remaining airborne for extended periods before engaging high-value targets with precision.

Key systems developed under the programme include Omega One, Omega Nine, Bayonet, and Cleaver, each tailored for specific mission sets ranging from tactical reconnaissance to precision strike at short and medium ranges.

Omega One Showcased at Army Day Parade

The growing prominence of Bharat Forge’s unmanned portfolio was highlighted during the Army Day Parade in Jaipur on 15 January, where the Omega One unmanned system was publicly showcased. The system was displayed mounted on an upgraded BMP-2 infantry fighting vehicle, underlining its integration potential with existing Indian Army platforms.

Defence analysts say the public display served as a validation of the platform’s maturity and readiness for operational deployment, as well as a signal of the Army’s confidence in indigenous unmanned technologies.

Technology, Autonomy and EW Resistance

Bharat Forge stated that its unmanned systems are increasingly incorporating advanced autonomy, artificial intelligence and data-driven decision-making tools. These features are aimed at improving mission endurance, precision, survivability and adaptability in contested and dynamic operational environments.

A key design focus has been resistance to electronic warfare, ensuring reliable performance in environments where jamming and signal interference are expected. The company has also emphasized modular architecture and scalability, allowing rapid upgrades as mission requirements evolve.

Leadership Perspective and Strategic Significance

Commenting on the contracts, Amit Kalyani, Vice Chairman and Joint Managing Director of Bharat Forge Limited, said the twin milestones of securing EP-VI contracts and showcasing Omega One at Army Day reaffirm the company’s commitment to Atmanirbhar Bharat.

He noted that Bharat Forge is focused on delivering India-specific, domestically produced unmanned systems that combine speed of induction with long-term sustainability and quality.

Strengthening India’s Unmanned Ecosystem

With sustained investments in design, manufacturing and next-generation autonomy stacks, Bharat Forge is positioning itself as a key player in India’s unmanned and autonomous systems ecosystem. Defence experts view the ₹300-crore emergency procurement orders as a strong endorsement of private-sector participation in critical defence technologies.

As unmanned systems become central to modern military operations, the latest contracts underline a broader shift in India’s defence strategy—towards indigenous, rapidly deployable and technologically advanced unmanned capabilities for both land and maritime domains.