Flying Wedge Secures International Order For 35 Autonomous Aircraft

Bengaluru-based defence tech startup Flying Wedge Defence and Aerospace has secured an export order for “35 FWD 100 ISR autonomous aircraft” from a sub-Saharan nation. However, the startup didn’t disclose the name of the country. 

In a statement, Flying Wedge said that FWD 100 ISR is a sub-variant of its FWD 200B and is India’s first fully indigenous autonomous aircraft to receive an international order. 

Manufactured at the startup’s facility in Bengaluru, the aircraft is designed for intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance missions. 

The startup claims that FWD 100 ISR features an advanced optical payload for precise surveillance and intelligence gathering. With a 6-metre wingspan, 3.8-metre length, and a maximum takeoff weight of 90 kg, it offers 24-hour operational endurance.

“India has long been the world’s largest importer of arms, often paying ten times the cost for military technology from countries like the US and Israel. This export order marks a pivotal turning point in our nation’s history, elevating us into the exclusive league of the world’s top five defence exporters,” said Suhas Tejaskanda, founder and CEO of Flying Wedge. 

Founded in 2022 by Tejaskanda, the startup focuses on developing precision-guided munitions and autonomous weapon systems for defence forces. Its tech aims to improve targeting accuracy and reduce collateral damage during military operations, with particular use in air defence and counter-terrorism.

The startup claims to be the first private firm in India to secure a DGCA (Directorate General of Civil Aviation) certification for its indigenous unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) technology. 

The development comes at a time when India is seeing a rise in defence tech startups, driven by the government’s push for self-reliance and local defence manufacturing. This has also resulted in a number of investors evincing interest in such startups. 

For instance, deeptech-focused VC firm growX ventures recently launched its second fund to raise INR 400 Cr (around $47.12 Mn) to invest in defence startups.

Last year, Navneet Kaushik, former director at the Technology Development Board (TDB), also set up an angel fund to support early-stage defence tech startups.

Initiatives like the Centre’s Defence Innovation Organisation’s iDEX (Innovations for Defence Excellence) are helping startups work with the armed forces and public-sector defence companies.

Recently, the Karnataka government partnered with the DRDO to support defence startups. Under the partnership, selected startups will get access to DRDO’s testing facilities and other resources.