ICICI says Bharat Forge-GA-ASI partnership is a positive development
Bharat Forge is to manufacture landing gear, subassemblies and assemblies for remotely piloted aircraft (drones) under a partnership with the US-based General Atomics Aeronautics Systems (GA-ASI).
“Bharat Forge’s expertise in the field of forging is known globally, and their outstanding contributions in the aerospace sector has inspired us to work together for building the next generation of the world’s most advanced unmanned aerial vehicles,” said Dr Vivek Lall, Chief Executive, General Atomics Global Corporation.
“GA-ASI is eagerly looking forward to working with Bharat Forge in the critical field of aerostructure manufacturing,” Dr Lall said, announcing the partnership in San Diego on 3 Jan 2023.
GA-ASI said in a statement that it is confident that its collaboration with Bharat Forge will result in significant capability-building for both companies and provide an impetus to the Indian large, unmanned aircraft industry.
“Aerospace is a high ‘Technology Intensive’ domain, which relies on Product Integrity, Reliability, and Zero Defect.’ This is a culture by itself and demands a strong focus on people and processes,” said Baba Kalyani, Chairman and Managing Director, Bharat Forge Limited.
“As part of our Aerospace Growth Strategy, our collaboration with GA-ASI is a strong testimony of our culture in Bharat Forge Aerospace to assimilate and demonstrate the same, as partners to General Atomics, in making India Atmanirbhar.”
“This development is positive for the company as it a testimony to its core competence in the areas of metallurgy and material science with wide applications in the new emerging areas of defence & aerospace,” said ICICI direct.com, a market and company analysts group.
“The company had, in the recent past, also showcased some of its capabilities in the area of UAVs/drones during the last analyst meet held at its R&D centre,” it added.
Part of the Kalyani Group, Bharat Forge is the largest repository of metallurgical know-how, design and engineering expertise, and manufacturing prowess in India.
General Atomics Aeronautical Systems, Inc. (GA-ASI), an affiliate of General Atomics, is a leading designer and manufacturer of proven, reliable Remotely Piloted Aircraft (RPA) systems, radars, and electro-optic and related mission systems, including the Predator® RPA series and the Lynx® Multi-mode Radar. The company also produces a variety of ground control stations and sensor control and image analysis software, offers pilot training and support services, and develops meta-material antennas. fiinews.com