Flying Wedge Defence and Aerospace, a pioneering Indian company specializing in AI-driven warfare and autonomous defence technologies, has earned the Silver Medal at ARCA 2025, the 23rd International Exhibition of Innovation held in Zagreb, Croatia. The award recognizes the company’s breakthrough creation — Kaala Bhairava E2A2, India’s first AI-powered Medium Altitude Long Endurance (MALE) Autonomous Combat Aircraft.
Entirely conceived, designed, and manufactured in India, Kaala Bhairava E2A2 represents a major leap in the nation’s journey toward self-reliance in advanced defence systems. The aircraft, capable of operating for up to 30 hours and covering a range of 3,000 kilometers, is engineered for multi-angle precision strikes, swarm warfare, and real-time intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance (ISR) missions. Offering a cost-effective and scalable alternative to foreign imports, the E2A2 delivers high performance without compromising data security or operational sovereignty.
Speaking on the recognition, Suhas Tejaskanda, Founder and CEO of Flying Wedge Defence and Aerospace, said “This award is not just a win for our company—it’s a symbol of India’s growing technological and defence capabilities. Our mission has always been clear: built in India, for the world. Every milestone strengthens our resolve to make India a global hub for cutting-edge defence manufacturing.” He added, “For decades, our defence ecosystem has relied on costly imports with limited autonomy. It’s time to change that narrative and take full ownership of our technological destiny.”
ARCA 2025, organized by the Croatian Union of Innovators and supported by the International Federation of Inventors’ Associations (IFIA), brought together more than 300 innovations from 35 countries, spotlighting breakthrough ideas shaping the future of global technology and defence. The recognition comes shortly after the Kaala Bhairava E2A2 program was declared operationally ready earlier this year, underscoring India’s expanding capability to design and produce world-class autonomous combat systems. With this achievement, Flying Wedge Defence and Aerospace reinforces its position at the forefront of India’s Atmanirbhar Bharat (self-reliant India) mission, demonstrating that the next era of AI warfare can be built — and led — from India.
Founded in 2022 by Suhas Tejaskanda and headquartered in Bengaluru, Flying Wedge Defence and Aerospace (FWDA) is India’s first company dedicated to developing AI-driven autonomous combat aircraft and advanced defence technologies. The company made history by becoming the first Indian firm to receive DGCA type certification for an indigenous UAV, followed by the successful maiden flight of FWD-200B, India’s first unmanned bomber aircraft, on September 3, 2024 — a landmark in Indian aerospace innovation.
Beyond defence applications, FWDA also develops AI- and ML-embedded drone systems for agricultural and industrial use, reinforcing its commitment to dual-use technology innovation. With a growing portfolio of autonomous strike platforms, killer drones, and scalable unmanned systems, FWDA aims to establish India as a global hub for AI-powered warfare and next-generation UAV manufacturing.
Kaala Bhairava E2A2 is India’s first fully indigenous, AI-enabled Medium Altitude Long Endurance (MALE) Autonomous Combat Aircraft, capable of 30-hour endurance and a 3,000 km operational range. Designed for advanced autonomy, precision targeting, and ISR missions, it ensures complete data sovereignty, zero foreign dependence, and no kill-switch risks. Priced at nearly one-tenth the cost of Predator-class UAVs, the E2A2 blends affordability, resilience, and combat readiness, marking India’s emergence as a developer and exporter of next-generation AI warfare systems.
