Game-changer from Bengaluru: Nation’s first MALE autonomous combat aircraft unveiled

Bengaluru-based defence technology startup Flying Wedge Defence and Aerospace (FWDA) has introduced India’s first Medium Altitude Long Endurance (MALE) autonomous combat aircraft, positioning the country among global leaders in AI-driven warfare systems.

The newly launched platform, named Kaala Bhairav after the guardian of time, has been fully designed, developed, and manufactured in India. With an endurance of up to 30 hours and a range of nearly 3,000 km, the aircraft is tailored for advanced reconnaissance and combat missions.

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USD 30 million defence partnership

The unveiling was accompanied by the announcement of a landmark export order worth USD 25 million from a South Asian nation, forming part of a broader USD 30 million defence partnership. The order marks a major milestone for India’s aerospace sector, signaling growing international confidence in indigenous defence innovation.

The initiative comes amid rising concerns over dependence on foreign defence systems, which often carry high acquisition costs and risks linked to data security and operational autonomy. By introducing an entirely indigenous solution, FWDA aims to strengthen India’s strategic independence while offering cost-effective alternatives to established platforms such as the Predator.

Industry experts highlight that the Kaala Bhairav fleet offers a significant value advantage, with the potential to match the reconnaissance capability of global peers at a fraction of the price. This advancement underscores India’s emerging role as both a developer and exporter of next-generation combat technologies.