India’s First Indigenous MALE Drone Secures $30M Order From South Asian Country
India-based Flying Wedge Defence and Aerospace (FWDA) has secured a $30-million export order for its indigenous AI-powered tactical unmanned aerial system from a South Asian country, according to local media.
The deal covers the delivery of Kaala Bhairav, which was unveiled by the Bangalore company as India’s first homegrown medium altitude long endurance (MALE) system this month.
The deal marks a significant milestone in New Delhi’s transition from a defense importer to an exporter of advanced military technology, according to the firm.
The contract also reinforces India’s strategic autonomy by cutting reliance on overseas solutions, such as the American Predator, which costs roughly ten times more to develop.
At its inauguration, FWDA said the Kaala Bhairav will be offered with a maintenance, repair, and overhaul package, enabling faster servicing, lower operating costs, and reliable access to spare parts for sustained operations.
FWDA’s Kaala Bhairav
The Kaala Bhairav combat drone features a 6.5-meter (21-foot) wingspan and offers up to 30 hours of endurance.
It can cover ranges up to 3,000 kilometers (1,864 miles) with satellite communications connectivity, a service ceiling of 6,096 meters (20,000 feet), and cruise speeds of up to 187 kilometers (116 miles) per hour.
The platform supports short take-off and landing and is designed for swarm warfare, capable of coordinated autonomous strikes, saturating enemy air defenses, and executing precision multi-angle attacks.
Fully domestically developed, the aircraft ensures zero foreign dependency, providing a secure, sanctions-proof supply chain.
