India’s AI Combat Aircraft Kaal Bhairav to Be Made in Portugal

India’s AI-powered combat aircraft “Kaal Bhairav” will be manufactured in Portugal under “Operation 777.” This project is a major step towards India’s defence exports, global military-technology cooperation, and autonomous warfare capabilities.

Under this agreement, SKETCHPIXEL will provide simulation technology, AI integration, communication systems, and interoperability capabilities for the platform, while Flying Wedge Defence & Aerospace (FWDA) will retain intellectual property rights over the core autonomous systems and airframe design.

It will be developed by Flying Wedge Defence & Aerospace and marks the beginning of overseas production of India’s first autonomous combat aircraft.

This manufacturing facility established in Portugal is part of a broader initiative called “Operation 777.”

SKETCHPIXEL and FWDA

SKETCHPIXEL is a European company known for developing advanced fighter jet simulation systems for combat aircraft such as the F-16 Fighting Falcon.

FWDA (Flying Wedge Defence & Aerospace) will focus on core design, autonomous systems, and intellectual property.

The company stated that it is focused on building an ecosystem centered on autonomous air power, swarm systems, and next-generation air defence solutions, aligned with the global shift toward scalable and low-cost warfare systems.

Features of ‘Kaal Bhairav’

“Kaal Bhairav” is a Medium Altitude Long Endurance (MALE) category autonomous combat aircraft designed according to the needs of modern warfare.

Kaal Bhairav is a medium-altitude, long-endurance autonomous combat aircraft with a strike range of 3,000 km and an endurance of more than 30 hours.

The platform features AI-based target identification, swarm coordination capabilities, and encrypted communication systems.

Unlike traditional aerospace models focused on expensive platforms, this AI warfare company is creating an ecosystem of autonomous air power, swarm systems, and next-generation air defence.

Operation 777

The Portugal-based facility will function as the first international centre under “Operation 777.” It is a long-term strategic initiative conceptualized by FWDA founder and CEO Suhas Tejaskanda.

First introduced during the launch of the “Kaal Bhairav” platform in 2025, this initiative aims to establish partnerships for the manufacturing, integration, and deployment of Indian-origin autonomous warfare systems across seven continents and 77 countries.

It expands Indian defence manufacturing at the global level. It also aims to build partnerships across 7 continents and 77 countries while promoting Indian-origin military technology worldwide.

This partnership with Portugal under “Operation 777” has been established as the first overseas hub, and FWDA plans to further expand its aerospace and defence collaborations across various strategic regions of the world in the coming years.