India’s AI-Powered Combat Aircraft Kaal Bhairava to Be Manufactured in Portugal

India achieved the major milestone in defense innovation as AI powered combat aircraft ‘Kaal Bhairava’ wll now be manufactured in Europe. It will be developed by Flying Wedge Defence & Aerospace and it marks the India’s first overseas production of an autonomous combat aircraft. This manufacturing hub in the Portugal is part of the broader initiative called Operation 777.

Kaal Bhairava: India’s First AI-Powered Combat Aircraft

The ‘Kaal Bhairava’ is the Medium Altitude Long Endurance (MALE) autonomous combat aircraft designed for the modern warfare.

Key Features Are

• Range: Around 3,000 km
• Endurance: Over 30 hours
• AI-based target recognition systems
• Swarm coordination capability
• Secure encrypted communication systems

It represents the India’s entry into next-generation autonomous warfare systems.

Manufacturing in Portugal:

The aircraft will be produced in the Portugal through a partnership with SKETCHPIXEL LDA.

Role of Each Partner

FWDA will put focus on core design, autonomous systems and the intellectual property

SKETCHPIXEL will provide the simulation systems, AI integration and communication technologies

Also the strategic location of the Portugal will offers access to European and NATO defense networks and strengthen the India’ s global defense presence.

What is Operation 777?

The Portugal facility is the first international node under the Operation 777 which is a long-term strategy launched in the year 2025.

Objectives of Operation 777

• It expands the Indian defense manufacturing globally.
• Also to build partnerships across 7 continents and 77 countries.
• And promote the Indian-origin military technology worldwide.

The initiative reflects the India’s ambition to become a leading defense exporter.

Leadership Behind the Project

The initiative is led by Suhas Tejaskanda, founder of the FWDA.

He emphasized that this project shows the growing global interest in Indian defense tech.

With this India can become a key player in global military manufacturing.

What Is a MALE Combat Aircraft?

A MALE (Medium Altitude Long Endurance) drone is designed for the,

• Long-duration missions
• Surveillance and combat operations
• Operating at medium altitudes

Such drones are widely used for the,

• Intelligence gathering
• Target tracking
• Precision strikes

This aircraft acts as a central part in the modern warfare.