India’s defence technology sector has achieved a significant milestone as Flying Wedge Defence & Aerospace (FWDA), an Indian AI warfare company, announced the establishment of its first international manufacturing node in Portugal for its flagship autonomous combat aircraft, Kaal Bhairava. The move represents the first instance of an Indian-designed autonomous combat aircraft being manufactured in Europe, signalling India’s growing role in advanced global defence technologies.
The Portugal manufacturing initiative will be executed in collaboration with SKETCHPIXEL LDA, a European technology company recognised for developing advanced fighter jet simulation systems for aircraft platforms including the F-16. The partnership will support the production, integration and deployment of the Kaal Bhairava autonomous combat aircraft for European and allied markets.
The collaboration highlights a broader transformation underway in India’s aerospace and defence ecosystem, where indigenous technologies are increasingly gaining international relevance. While India has traditionally depended on imported fighter aircraft from Russia, France and the United States, the development marks a new chapter in which Indian-origin defence platforms are entering global manufacturing networks.
Under the agreement, SKETCHPIXEL will contribute expertise in simulation technologies, AI integration, secure communications systems and interoperability capabilities. Flying Wedge Defence & Aerospace will retain intellectual property rights related to the aircraft’s autonomous systems, mission architecture and airframe design.
The Portugal hub will become the first overseas node under FWDA’s long-term global initiative titled “Operation 777,” envisioned by the company’s Founder and CEO, Suhas Tejaskanda. The initiative was first introduced during the unveiling of the Kaal Bhairava platform in 2025 and aims to establish international manufacturing and deployment partnerships for Indian-origin autonomous warfare systems across seven continents and seventy-seven countries.
Speaking on the announcement, Suhas Tejaskanda, Founder and CEO, Flying Wedge Defence & Aerospace, said, “This partnership reflects the growing global confidence in Indian-designed autonomous defence systems. Operation 777 is intended to build a globally distributed defence technology ecosystem originating from India. Portugal provides strategic access to the NATO ecosystem and opens opportunities for collaborative defence programmes, interoperability initiatives and future deployment pathways.” He further added that the company’s larger vision is to contribute towards positioning India among the world’s leading defence exporters by building scalable and cost-effective autonomous warfare systems.
Miguel Abrue, CEO of SKETCHPIXEL, said the collaboration would combine advanced engineering, electronics, AI capabilities and simulation technologies from both organisations. He stated that communication systems, interoperability modules and AI software for the Kaal Bhairava programme would be jointly developed between the teams in Portugal and India through continuous knowledge exchange and technical collaboration.
Kaal Bhairava is a Medium Altitude Long Endurance (MALE) autonomous combat aircraft developed for intelligence, surveillance, reconnaissance and precision strike missions. The platform is designed with a flight endurance exceeding 30 hours and an operational range of 3,000 kilometres. The aircraft incorporates AI-driven target recognition, encrypted communication architecture and swarm coordination capabilities designed for modern battlefield requirements.
Flying Wedge Defence & Aerospace is positioning the Kaal Bhairava platform as a scalable and cost-efficient alternative to conventional unmanned combat aircraft. The company’s broader strategy focuses on autonomous airpower systems, swarm warfare technologies and next-generation air defence solutions aligned with the increasing global demand for intelligent and economical combat platforms.
Founded in Bengaluru in 2022, Flying Wedge Defence & Aerospace has rapidly emerged as a key player in India’s indigenous unmanned warfare ecosystem. The company became the first Indian organisation to secure DGCA type certification for an indigenous UAV and later unveiled the FWD-200B unmanned bomber aircraft, which completed its maiden flight in September 2024.
