India’s Flying Wedge Defence and Aerospace (FWDA) has secured the country’s first global export order for its FWD 100 ISR (Intelligence, Surveillance, and Reconnaissance) autonomous aircraft from a Sub-Saharan nation.
The FWD 100 ISR is a sub-variant of the FWD 200B and is said to be the first made in India autonomous aircraft to receive a global order. While the value of the deal remains undisclosed, the agreement includes an initial delivery of 35 autonomous aircraft. The aircraft is entirely developed and manufactured in India at FWDA’s state-of-the-art manufacturing facility in Electronic City, Bengaluru. This achievement not only highlights India’s growing manufacturing capabilities but also underscores its shift from being the world’s largest arms importer from last five years to entering into the top 5 exporter of advanced military technology.
Suhas Tejaskanda, Founder and CEO of FWDA, said, “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. This deal is not just an achievement for FWDA but a monumental step for India’s defence ecosystem. It’s a proof that we are shaping the future of global defence,” he added.
FWD 100 ISR features an advanced optical payload for precise surveillance and intelligence gathering, a 6-meter wingspan, 3.8-meter length, and 90 kg maximum takeoff weight and paired with unmatched endurance of 24-hour operational capability, ideal for critical reconnaissance missions.
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