Bengaluru-based Flying Wedge Defence & Aerospace (FWDA) has unveiled its FWD Supreme programme, an initiative to develop an AI-piloted fighter aircraft in India. The company presented a full-scale static prototype at an event held at Le Méridien, New Delhi, outlining its plans to develop a family of autonomous combat aircraft using Indian design, engineering and manufacturing capabilities.
The event was attended by senior defence officials, including A Anbarasu, Director General of Acquisition; Air Marshal Prem Kumar, Director General of Weapon Systems; Lieutenant General Puneet Ahuja, Chief of Staff, Western Command; and Major General Tarun Aggarwal, Additional Director General of Acquisition Technology. Miguel Abreu, CEO of SketchPixel and Director of KEYDEF, also attended.
The FWD Supreme Heavy is specified in the 1,500 kg-plus class, with an intended payload capacity of approximately 350 kg. According to FWDA, the aircraft is being designed around a flying-wing configuration with an internal weapons bay and dimensions of approximately 10 metres by 10 metres. The proposed specifications include a 5 kN propulsion system, a maximum speed of Mach 0.8–0.85, a cruising speed of around 500–600 km/h, a range exceeding 1,500 km and endurance of more than two hours. Satellite communications are also planned.
Suhas Tejaskanda of FWDA said the programme reflects the company’s aim to develop advanced combat aviation capabilities through Indian technology and manufacturing. He added that the company plans to work with international partners through its Operation 777 initiative while strengthening domestic aerospace capabilities.
FWDA is developing the programme in phases. The FWD Supreme Lite variant, described by the company as a 250 kg-class demonstrator, has completed taxi trials and is being prepared for its first flight, which the company expects within the next two months. FWDA said the Lite aircraft is approximately 90% indigenous and uses an engine manufactured by UMS in Coimbatore. The company is also exploring the integration of a DRDO-developed engine into its wider aircraft programme.
The company has assembled a technical team with experience in fighter aircraft development, control systems, propulsion, airframe engineering, avionics and weapons integration. The programme is being led by senior aerospace specialists, including Girish Dixit, alongside scientists associated with India’s military aviation development programmes.
FWDA also outlined its proposed Mobbing Doctrine, which envisages multiple AI-enabled aircraft operating in coordination and sharing information to support mission objectives. The approach aims to explore the use of autonomous aircraft operating as a coordinated group rather than relying solely on a small number of high-value platforms.
Mr Anbarasu welcomed the initiative and said the programme aligns with the government’s emphasis on developing and owning advanced defence technologies in India. The next stages of FWD Supreme will focus on technology development, testing and system integration. Through Operation 777, FWDA also intends to pursue international partnerships to support the development and manufacture of its planned aircraft family. The programme remains under development, with the proposed performance figures and operational capabilities subject to engineering validation, testing and further development.
Flying Wedge Defence & Aerospace (FWDA), headquartered in Bengaluru, is an Indian defence-technology company specialising in AI-driven warfare systems and autonomous combat aircraft. Founded in 2022 by Suhas Tejaskanda, the company was established to reduce reliance on imported air-defence platforms and advance domestic aerospace capabilities.
FWDA became the first Indian company to obtain DGCA type certification for an indigenous unmanned aerial vehicle. It later introduced the FWD-200B unmanned bomber aircraft, which completed its maiden flight on 3 September 2024.
In August 2025, the company announced readiness of the Kaala Bhairava E2A2 programme, described as India’s first AI-powered Medium Altitude Long Endurance autonomous combat aircraft. Developed domestically, the platform is engineered for extended endurance and long-range missions, supporting precision strike, swarm coordination, and ISR operations while maintaining complete data sovereignty.
Beyond defence, the company has developed patented AI and machine learning-enabled drones for agricultural and civilian applications, reflecting its focus on dual-use innovation. Through its expanding portfolio of autonomous systems, Flying Wedge Defence aims to contribute to India’s emergence as a global centre for advanced unmanned defence technologies.
