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In a major boost to India’s ambitions of becoming a global defence manufacturing hub, Indian AI warfare company FWDA on Friday announced that its autonomous combat aircraft ‘Kaal Bhairava’ will now be manufactured in Europe through a strategic partnership with Portuguese defence technology firm SKETCHPIXEL.
The collaboration marks a significant milestone for India’s indigenous defence technology ecosystem, as Kaal Bhairava becomes one of the first Indian-designed AI combat aircraft platforms to enter the European manufacturing and defence network.
SKETCHPIXEL is known for developing advanced fighter jet simulation systems for aircraft such as the F-16 Fighting Falcon.
Under the agreement, the European company will contribute simulation technologies, AI integration systems, communications infrastructure and interoperability capabilities for the aircraft platform.
FWDA, however, will continue to retain intellectual property rights related to the aircraft’s autonomous systems and airframe design.
Kaal Bhairava has been designed as a medium-altitude long-endurance autonomous combat aircraft with a range of 3,000 kilometres and an operational endurance of more than 30 hours.
The aircraft is equipped with AI-driven target recognition systems, encrypted communications and swarm coordination capabilities, positioning it among next-generation autonomous warfare platforms.
Unlike traditional aerospace programmes that focus heavily on expensive manned platforms, FWDA is building an ecosystem centred around autonomous airpower, swarm technologies and advanced air defence systems.
Commenting on the development, FWDA founder and CEO Suhas Tejaskanda said the partnership reflects increasing global interest in Indian-designed autonomous warfare technologies and demonstrates how Indian defence innovation is beginning to integrate into global manufacturing ecosystems.
He added that Portugal’s strategic location and access to NATO-linked defence networks would help the company expand collaborative opportunities across Europe and support future global deployment pathways for its technologies.
“The larger objective is to help position India among the world’s leading defence exporters,” he stated.
SKETCHPIXEL CEO Miguel Abrue said the collaboration would combine FWDA’s expertise in engineering, electronics, AI systems and chip analysis with SKETCHPIXEL’s capabilities in simulation, interoperability and military integration.
He said that critical aspects of the aircraft programme -- including structural design, firmware development, communication systems, control mechanisms and validation processes -- would be jointly developed under strict technological and safety standards.
