Indian AI warfare firm to manufacture Kaal Bhairava drone in Europe under Operation 777

Bengaluru firm to build 3000-km range KAAL Bhairava drone in Europe in partnership with a company associated with F-16

A Bengaluru based AI warfare company will manufacture its autonomous combat aircraft in Europe for the first time, with production set to begin in Portugal, a NATO member state. Flying Wedge Defence & Aerospace (FWDA) on Thursday announced its first international manufacturing node in Portugal for its flagship autonomous combat aircraft, Kaal Bhairava. The company said the platform, described as India's first AI combat aircraft, will be produced in partnership with European technology company SKETCHPIXEL LDA, known for developing advanced fighter jet simulation systems for aircraft such as the F-16. The partnership marks the first overseas production node for an Indian-designed autonomous combat aircraft and signals a broader shift in India's defence technology sector. Under the agreement, SKETCHPIXEL will provide simulation technologies, AI integration, communication systems, and interoperability capabilities for the platform. FWDA will retain intellectual property rights for the aircraft's core autonomous systems and airframe design. The Portugal facility will serve as the first international hub under Operation 777, a long-term initiative envisioned by FWDA Founder and CEO Suhas Tejaskanda. The programme, first unveiled during the launch of the Kaal Bhairava platform in 2025, aims to establish manufacturing, integration, and deployment partnerships for Indian-origin autonomous warfare systems across seven continents and seventy-seven countries. Speaking on the collaboration, Tejaskanda said the partnership reflected increasing international interest in Indian-designed autonomous systems and highlighted the potential for Indian warfare technologies to become part of global manufacturing ecosystems. He said Portugal's strategic location and access to the NATO ecosystem would strengthen the company's entry into European defence networks, collaborative opportunities, and global deployment pathways. Kaal Bhairava is a Medium Altitude Long Endurance (MALE) autonomous combat aircraft developed, designed, and manufactured in India for long-endurance missions, precision airstrikes, and ISR operations. The platform has a maximum takeoff weight of 150 kg, a cruise speed of 50 m/s, and a top speed of 100 m/s. It offers a range of 3,000 km and endurance of more than 30 hours, with a payload capacity of 30 kg. The aircraft features a twin-boom tail pusher configuration. FWDA said the platform includes AI-driven target recognition, swarm coordination capabilities, and encrypted communication systems. The company said Kaal Bhairava reflects its focus on building scalable and cost-efficient autonomous warfare systems, including autonomous airpower, swarm systems, and next-generation air defence technologies. With the Portugal partnership becoming the first overseas node under Operation 777, FWDA plans to expand its international aerospace and defence partnerships across strategic regions in the coming years.

Indian autonomous combat aircraft Kaal Bhairava to be manufactured in Europe under Operation 777

Flying Wedge Defence & Aerospace (FWDA), an Indian AI warfare company, on Thursday announced the establishment of its first international manufacturing node in Portugal for its flagship autonomous combat aircraft, Kaal Bhairava. Positioned as India's first AI-powered combat aircraft, Kaal Bhairava will be manufactured in Portugal through a partnership with SKETCHPIXEL LDA, a European technology firm known for developing advanced fighter jet simulation systems for aircraft including the F-16. The company described the facility as the first overseas production node for an Indian-designed autonomous combat aircraft. Under the agreement, SKETCHPIXEL will provide simulation technologies, AI integration, communications systems, and interoperability capabilities for the platform, while FWDA will retain intellectual property rights over the aircraft's core autonomous systems and airframe design. The Portugal facility will serve as the first international node under Operation 777, a long-term strategic initiative conceptualised by Suhas Tejaskanda, Founder and CEO of FWDA. First unveiled during the launch of the Kaal Bhairava platform in 2025, the initiative aims to establish manufacturing, integration, and deployment partnerships for Indian-origin autonomous warfare systems across seven continents and 77 countries. Speaking about the collaboration, Tejaskanda said the partnership reflects growing international interest in Indian-designed autonomous warfare systems and highlights the potential of Indian defence technologies in global manufacturing ecosystems. "Operation 777 is about taking our systems beyond borders while building a globally distributed defence technology network originating from India," he said. He added that Portugal's strategic location and access to the NATO ecosystem would strengthen the company's entry into European defence networks, collaborative opportunities, and global deployment pathways. "The larger vision is to help position India among the world's leading defence exporters," he said. Kaal Bhairava is a MALE (Medium Altitude Long Endurance) autonomous combat aircraft with a range of 3,000 km and endurance exceeding 30 hours. The platform features AI-driven target recognition, swarm coordination capabilities, and encrypted communication systems. The aircraft is part of FWDA's broader strategy to develop scalable and cost-efficient autonomous warfare technologies. The company said it is focused on building an ecosystem centred on autonomous airpower, swarm systems, and next-generation air defence solutions, in line with the global shift toward scalable and lower-cost warfare systems. With the Portugal partnership becoming the first overseas node under Operation 777, FWDA plans to expand its aerospace and defence collaborations across strategic global regions in the coming years.

Indian Autonomous Combat Aircraft Kaal Bhairava to Be Manufactured in Europe Under Operation 777

The Portugal hub marks the first international step under Operation 777, envisioned by Suhas Tejaskanda, Founder and CEO, Flying Wedge Defence as a long-term vision to build Indian-origin autonomous warfare systems across seven continents and seventy-seven countries. 14th May 2026: For seven decades, India bought fighter jets from Russia, France, and America. Today, an Indian AI warfare company is set to manufacture its autonomous combat aircraft in Europe for the first time, and it's happening in a NATO member state. Flying Wedge Defence & Aerospace (FWDA), an Indian AI warfare company, today announced its first international manufacturing node in Portugal for its flagship autonomous combat aircraft, Kaal Bhairava. Known as India's first AI combat aircraft, Kaal Bhairava will be manufactured in Portugal in partnership with SKETCHPIXEL LDA, a European technology company known for building advanced fighter jet simulation systems for aircraft such as the F-16. Signaling a broader shift in the country's defence technology landscape, the partnership marks a historic milestone when an Indian-designed military aircraft will be manufactured on European soil, representing the first overseas production node for an Indian-designed autonomous combat aircraft. Under the agreement, SKETCHPIXEL will contribute simulation technologies, AI integration, communications systems, and interoperability capabilities for the platform while FWDA retains intellectual property rights to the core autonomous systems and airframe design. The Portugal hub is said to represent the first international node under Operation 777, a long-term strategic initiative envisioned by Suhas Tejaskanda, Founder and CEO of Flying Wedge Defence & Aerospace. First announced during the unveiling of the Kaal Bhairava platform in 2025, the initiative aims to establish international manufacturing, integration, and deployment partnerships for Indian-origin autonomous warfare systems across seven continents and seventy-seven countries. While speaking on the partnership, he said, "This collaboration reflects growing international interest in Indian-designed autonomous systems and demonstrates the potential for Indian warfare technologies to participate in global manufacturing ecosystems. Operation 777 is about taking our systems beyond borders with an aim to build a globally distributed defence technology network originating from India. "Portugal's strategic location and access to the NATO ecosystem strengthen our access into European defence networks, collaborative opportunities, and global deployment pathways. The larger vision is to help position India among the world's top defence exporters", he further added. Miguel Abrue, CEO, SKETCHPIXEL, mentioned, "Each step of FWD's deep engineering, cutting-edge electronics, AI and chip analysis will be brought together with KEYDEF's simulation, AI, interoperability, and military integration capabilities. from the structural design, board design, and construction, firmware development, communications, control, and validation are performed under complete control, ensuring maximum standards of safety, resilience, and technological sovereignty. The new communication systems, LVC interoperability, and AI modules will be coded together in KEYDEF's laboratories in Portugal and FWD's in India. The key to this development is a regular exchange of teams and knowledge. We will start with the FWD Kaalabheirav project for Portugal and NATO countries." Kaal Bhairava is a MALE (Medium Altitude Long Endurance) autonomous combat aircraft with 3000 kms range and 30+ hrs endurance. The platform features AI-driven target recognition, swarm coordination capabilities, and encrypted communication systems. Kaal Bhairava represents FWDA's broader focus on combining intelligence, scalability, and cost-efficiency in defence systems. Unlike traditional aerospace models centred on high-cost platforms, the AI warfare company is building an ecosystem of autonomous airpower, swarm systems, and next-generation air defence, aligned with the global shift toward scalable, cost-efficient warfare systems. With the Portugal partnership serving as the first overseas node under Operation 777, the company aims to expand its international aerospace and defence partnerships across strategic global regions in the coming years.