Advanced UAV for Strategic Defence Missions
At the Paris Airshow in Le Bourget, Bharat Forge Ltd. of India and French company Turgis Gaillard signed a memorandum of understanding on the XX of June 2025. This agreement focuses on offering the AAROK unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) to the Indian Ministry of Defence.
AAROK is a Medium Altitude Long Endurance (MALE) UAV built for cost-effective surveillance and combat missions. It combines high-end technology with a low acquisition and deployment cost. Designed to fly at high altitudes for extended periods, AAROK can conduct long-range surveillance using its onboard radar and electromagnetic sensors. These features allow it to monitor threats while maintaining a safe distance.
Enhancing Situational Awareness and Combat Readiness
The AAROK UAV is always connected to command and control systems. This enables real-time communication with other military assets and helps maintain a clear and current tactical overview. With a weapon payload of over 1.5 tonnes, it can launch precise attacks from afar. This capability allows it to support multi-domain operations by hitting targets deep within enemy territory. It plays a vital role in neutralising air defence systems and weakening enemy positions.
Boosting India’s Sovereign Defence Capabilities
AAROK’s endurance exceeds 24 hours, which makes it ideal for patrolling vast areas. It will assist India in asserting control over its territorial waters by detecting intrusions and observing ongoing activity. Bharat Forge, a key player in India’s defence sector and a long-time partner of the Indian armed forces, will set up a local production line for AAROK. This initiative supports India’s drive for self-reliance in defence and ensures full control over maintenance and upgrades.
Together, Bharat Forge and Turgis Gaillard offer India a modern, reliable, and flexible UAV system. The AAROK is set to act as a force multiplier in a networked defence environment.
with inputs from Reuters
