India-based Flying Wedge Defence & Aerospace to manufacture Kaal Bhairava combat aircraft in Portugal

Key facts

• Flying Wedge Defence & Aerospace (FWDA), an Indian artificial intelligence warfare company, announced the establishment of its first international manufacturing node in Portugal for the Kaal Bhairava autonomous combat aircraft.
• The facility is being set up in partnership with SKETCHPIXEL LDA, a European technology firm known for developing advanced fighter jet simulation systems for aircraft including the F-16.
• The Portugal facility serves as the first international node under Operation 777, a strategic initiative aimed at establishing manufacturing and deployment partnerships across seven continents and 77 countries.
• Kaal Bhairava is a Medium Altitude Long Endurance (MALE) autonomous combat aircraft featuring a range of 3,000 km, endurance exceeding 30 hours, and AI-driven target recognition.
• Under the agreement, FWDA will retain intellectual property rights over the aircraft core autonomous systems and airframe design while SKETCHPIXEL LDA provides simulation technologies and AI integration.