Flying Wedge Defence & Aerospace (FWDA), a homegrown defence and AI-led aviation company, has entered into an MoU with the Government of Andhra Pradesh to set up a 500-acre advanced facility dedicated to manufacturing and testing autonomous combat aircraft. This landmark project will be the first of its kind in the country.
The investment planned under FWD amounts to roughly ₹1,169 crore and is expected to create more than 1,000 jobs, including 800 direct roles in R&D and precision manufacturing, along with 200 indirect opportunities across supporting sectors. The agreement was signed in the presence of Hon’ble Chief Minister Shri N. Chandrababu Naidu, senior government representatives, and FWDA leadership.
Envisioned as India’s first comprehensive autonomous combat aircraft ecosystem, the proposed centre will support the full lifecycle—from research, design, prototyping, and assembly to trials and system integration. The initiative complements national objectives under Aatmanirbhar Bharat and Make in India by strengthening domestic capabilities in advanced defence aviation and reducing dependence on foreign platforms.
Suhas Tejaskanda, Founder and CEO of Flying Wedge Defence & Aerospace, stated that the partnership marks a major step forward for India’s aerospace ambitions. He noted that the facility will stimulate high-value employment and foster a regional ecosystem of suppliers, innovators, and academic partners working on next-generation military aviation.
This collaboration reinforces Andhra Pradesh’s growing role as a nucleus for cutting-edge defence and aerospace production. It also reflects India’s accelerating progress in AI-led combat systems, swarm-enabled platforms, and unmanned aerial technologies—supporting broader policy reforms aimed at boosting private-sector participation in defence manufacturing.
FWDA, headquartered in Bengaluru, is a pioneering force in AI-driven military aviation. Founded in 2022, the company has already achieved several milestones, including securing India’s first DGCA type certification for an indigenous UAV and unveiling the country’s first unmanned bomber aircraft, the FWD-200B, which completed its maiden flight on 3 September 2024. The firm further advanced India’s aerospace achievements with the Kaal Bhairava E2A2 program—an AI-powered unmanned aircraft that received acclaim and a silver medal at ARCA 2025 in Croatia.
In addition to defence platforms, the company has created patented AI-ML–enabled agricultural drones capable of real-time analytics, demonstrating its dual-use innovation. With a strong lineup of autonomous strike systems, advanced UAVs, and scalable unmanned solutions, FWDA aims to position India as a global centre for next-generation AI warfare and combat aviation technologies.
