India’s Kaal Bhairava Autonomous Combat Aircraft Set for Manufacturing in Portugal

In a landmark development for India’s defence technology sector, Bengaluru-based Flying Wedge Defence and Aerospace (FWDA) has announced the manufacturing of its flagship Kaal Bhairava — India’s first indigenous AI-powered Medium Altitude Long Endurance (MALE) autonomous combat aircraft — in Europe. The production will take place in Portugal through a strategic partnership with Portuguese technology firm SKETCHPIXEL LDA. This initiative marks the first time an Indian-designed autonomous combat aircraft will be manufactured on European soil.

FWDA founder and CEO Suhas Tejaskanda and his team with Aerospace and SketchPixel CEO Miguel Abreu. | NDTV

Kaal Bhairava: Capabilities and Design

Kaal Bhairava represents a significant advancement in indigenous unmanned aerial systems. Designed as a twin-boom platform, it is engineered for precision strikes, intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance (ISR), swarm operations, and multi-role missions. The aircraft offers an operational range of up to 3,000 kilometres with SATCOM support and can remain airborne for more than 30 hours during ISR missions. It features a payload capacity of 91 kg, a service ceiling of 20,000 feet, and STOL (Short Take-Off and Landing) capabilities.

Powered by advanced artificial intelligence, the system includes AI-driven target recognition, adaptive targeting, autonomous flight pathing, live combat decision-making, and swarm coordination. Encrypted communication systems further enhance its operational security. Positioned as a cost-effective alternative to high-end foreign platforms like the Predator-class UAVs, Kaal Bhairava aims to deliver comparable performance at roughly one-tenth the cost, enabling scalable and resilient fleet deployments.

The Strategic Partnership with Portugal

The collaboration with SKETCHPIXEL LDA, a company renowned for developing advanced fighter jet simulation systems including those for the F-16, will facilitate production, integration, and adaptation of the Kaal Bhairava for European and NATO markets. Under the agreement, SKETCHPIXEL will contribute expertise in simulation technologies, AI integration, secure communications, and interoperability. Importantly, FWDA will retain full intellectual property rights over the core autonomous systems and airframe design.

Joint teams from both companies will work across facilities in Portugal and India to integrate new technologies. Initial focus will be on meeting requirements for Portugal and NATO member states, leveraging Portugal’s strategic location within the NATO ecosystem.

Operation 777: A Vision for Global Reach

This Portugal facility serves as the inaugural international manufacturing node under FWDA’s ambitious Operation 777 initiative. Conceptualised by FWDA Founder and CEO Suhas Tejaskanda, the program seeks to establish manufacturing, integration, and deployment partnerships for Indian-origin autonomous systems across seven continents and 77 countries. Launched alongside the unveiling of Kaal Bhairava in 2025, Operation 777 aims to create a globally distributed defence technology network originating from India.

Suhas Tejaskanda emphasised the broader significance of the move, stating that it reflects growing international interest in Indian-designed autonomous systems and opens opportunities for Indian technologies to integrate into global manufacturing ecosystems.

Miguel Abreu, CEO of SKETCHPIXEL, expressed confidence in the collaboration, noting that the partnership will strengthen capabilities for both nations and allied markets.

Background and Broader Context

Founded in 2022 by Suhas Tejaskanda, an electronics and communications engineer, FWDA has rapidly established itself as a key innovator in India’s deep-tech defence landscape. The company has achieved notable milestones, including DGCA certifications and successful flight tests of indigenous unmanned platforms. Kaal Bhairava builds on this foundation, aligning with India’s push for self-reliance in defence manufacturing and the promotion of indigenous technologies on the global stage.

By establishing a European footprint, FWDA is not only expanding market access but also positioning Indian autonomous technologies within established Western defence networks. This development highlights India’s evolving role as an innovator and potential exporter in the field of unmanned and AI-driven warfare systems.

The MGMM Outlook 

India’s decision to manufacture the Kaal Bhairava autonomous combat aircraft in Portugal marks a major shift in how indigenous defence technologies are being positioned globally. Developed by Bengaluru-based Flying Wedge Defence and Aerospace (FWDA), the AI-powered MALE combat aircraft demonstrates that Indian defence startups are now moving beyond domestic innovation and entering international production ecosystems. With capabilities such as long-endurance ISR missions, autonomous targeting, swarm coordination, SATCOM-supported operations, and cost-effective deployment, Kaal Bhairava reflects the growing maturity of India’s unmanned warfare technology sector. The collaboration with Portugal-based SKETCHPIXEL LDA also highlights how Indian firms are leveraging global partnerships to strengthen interoperability, simulation integration, and access to NATO-linked markets while still retaining ownership of core technologies.

The Portugal manufacturing initiative under Operation 777 signals a broader ambition to establish Indian-origin autonomous defence systems across multiple international markets. By creating production and integration hubs outside India, FWDA is not only expanding export potential but also enhancing the credibility of Indian-made defence platforms in Western ecosystems. This development reinforces India’s push for self-reliance in advanced defence manufacturing while simultaneously projecting itself as a competitive innovator in AI-driven warfare systems. The partnership further indicates increasing global confidence in Indian deep-tech capabilities and could encourage more international collaborations involving indigenous aerospace and autonomous combat technologies.

(Sources: NDTV, Economic Times)