Bengaluru: Signalling a decisive step in the nation’s journey towards indigenous and advanced defence capabilities, Flying Wedge Defence & Aerospace has launched its Centre for Autonomous Defence Research in Bengaluru.
Spread across 25,000 square feet, the facility is dedicated to the research, design, and development of next-generation autonomous defence systems, with a sharp focus on rapid prototyping, system integration, and technology validation. Conceived as a non-manufacturing R&D and prototyping hub, the centre enables experimental development, internal testing, and accelerated technology maturation.
The centre will support a portfolio of advanced programmes, including autonomous combat aircraft such as the Kaalabhairav UCAV, AI-enabled fighter-jet technologies, and autonomous air-defence and interceptor systems. By integrating capabilities across advanced aerostructures, composites, propulsion integration, autonomy and AI software, and rapid prototyping, the facility is designed to significantly compress design-to-demonstrator timelines.
Speaking on the strategic intent behind the initiative, Suhas Tejaskanda, Founder and CEO, Flying Wedge Defence, said:
“With the Centre for Autonomous Defence Research, our aim is to place India firmly on the global map of critical autonomous defence technologies, a space currently dominated by a small group of nations. Our focus is on building deep, indigenous expertise in autonomous combat aviation and networked air-defence systems, contributing to India’s transition from a manufacturing-led defence ecosystem to a source nation for high-end defence technologies.”
Aligned with India’s long-term defence self-reliance and export ambitions, the Centre for Autonomous Defence Research will support the development of sovereign, scalable technologies for both domestic deployment and global markets.
Flying Wedge Defence also noted that the facility is expected to serve as a platform for future collaboration with the Indian Armed Forces, strategic partners, and international defence ecosystems working on next-generation autonomous defence systems.