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.