Bengaluru: In a defining leap for India’s defence landscape, Flying Wedge Defence and Aerospace (FWDA) today announced the readiness of the nation’s first indigenous, export-ready Medium Altitude Long Endurance (MALE) Autonomous Combat Aircraft. The event took place at The Lalit Ashok, Bengaluru.
Inspired by Kaala Bhairav, the eternal guardian of time, the platform is designed, developed and manufactured entirely on our home soil. The aircraft is engineered to deliver an endurance of up to 30 hours and a range of 3000 kms.
After the video screening of the test flight, the company announced that the platform has secured a landmark export order from a South Asian nation of $25 million as a part of a $30 million total strategic deal. This development showcases the world’s growing reliance on Indian innovation to secure their skies and positions India as a leading defence innovator and trusted supplier of advanced AI warfare platforms.
Speaking at the occasion, Suhas Tejaskanda, Founder & CEO of FWDA, said, “For decades, India has relied on foreign systems like Predator and Israeli Searcher models, but at a high strategic cost, from embedded kill-switch vulnerabilities to critical flight data routed through external servers. The global geopolitical landscape is shifting rapidly. India’s strategic relations with the U.S. have taken a new turn this year, given that the much-touted defence deal signed last year should be revisited.”
“With tightening U.S. defence regulations and shifting global policies, India cannot afford digital dependency during wartime. Dependence on foreign systems could limit India’s strategic autonomy, as sensitive operational data may be routed through external networks and remain accessible to overseas agencies,” he added.
