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Transport Corporation of India has entered into a collaboration with Flying Whales and its services arm to assess the use of heavy-lift airships for logistics operations in India. The partnership will study deployment of the LCA60T rigid airship, designed to transport loads of up to 60 tonnes without the need for runways or fixed ground infrastructure. The initiative targets defence, infrastructure, power projects, remote connectivity and disaster response, with India also being evaluated as a potential manufacturing and operations base.
Transport Corporation of India (TCI) has signed a memorandum of understanding with Flying Whales and Flying Whales Services to jointly evaluate heavy-lift airship-based logistics solutions for the Indian market. The agreement was concluded following bilateral engagements between India and France, highlighting growing cooperation in advanced aviation and infrastructure-linked logistics. Advertisement
The collaboration will focus on the LCA60T rigid cargo airship, which has a payload capacity of up to 60 tonnes. The airship is designed to load and unload cargo while hovering, allowing operations in areas without runways, ports or large material-handling facilities. This capability makes it suitable for transporting oversized and heavy equipment to locations that are currently difficult to access through conventional road, rail or air networks.
Originally developed to support sustainable transport of large timber and industrial components in remote regions, the LCA60T is now being positioned for a wider range of applications. In India, the partners are evaluating its use for defence logistics, strategic connectivity projects, power transmission equipment, renewable energy installations and large infrastructure works in mountainous, forested and island regions. The airship is also expected to play a role in disaster relief and emergency supply movement, where speed and access are critical.
Flying Whales has indicated that India is being considered as a key part of its global expansion strategy, with discussions under way on setting up an operational and production hub in Tamil Nadu. This facility would serve not only domestic requirements but also regional markets. TCI has stated that integrating airship technology with its multimodal logistics network could support lower-emission transport solutions while improving reach into underserved regions.
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