BonV Aero UAV assessed for civilian supply delivery in Ladakh

BonV Aero’s heavy-lift unmanned aerial vehicle, developed for high-altitude defence operations, is being studied for possible civilian use in remote parts of Ladakh. The company’s aircraft, known as the Air Orca, has been operating with the armed forces for high-altitude logistics after setting a world record by lifting a 30-kilogramme payload at 19,024 feet at Umling La Pass.

Officials and community representatives in Ladakh have begun assessing whether the platform can support supply chains in villages that remain cut off during winter. Areas such as Zanskar, Nubra and Changthang face long periods without road access, creating delays in the movement of food, medical supplies and other essentials.

“We engineered the ‘Air Orca’ to operate where traditional logistics cannot,” said Gaurav Achha, co-founder of BonV Aero. “The defence sector adopted it first due to its operational needs, but its potential for healthcare, emergency response, and essential supply delivery for civilians is equally compelling.”

The company said the aircraft can deliver oxygen cylinders, vaccines and rations in conditions where emergencies escalate due to limited access. “Every winter, access to medicines or basic supplies becomes a challenge for the people in Ladakh,” said Satyabrata Satapathy, co-founder and CEO. “If this technology can reach remote military posts, it can also reach families waiting in snowbound villages. It has the power to connect people of Ladakh year-round.”

Discussions are taking place on a dual-use model that would allow the same system to support military and civilian needs. Work is underway on airspace clearances and coordination protocols with regional authorities to enable wider deployment, according to Satapathy.

BonV Aero said it aims to build on its cooperation with the armed forces while extending the technology for humanitarian and developmental purposes across remote regions.