Flying Wedge Defence & Aerospace (FWDA), an Indian defence technology and AI warfare company, signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the Government of Andhra Pradesh to establish a 500 acre state-of-the-art Autonomous Combat Aircraft Manufacturing and Testing Facility in the state. 

FWD represents a capital commitment of approximately Rs. 1,169 crore and is expected to generate over 1,000 employment opportunities including 800 direct and 200 indirect jobs across research and development, advanced manufacturing and allied industries. 

The agreement was formalised in the presence of Hon’ble Chief Minister Shri N. Chandrababu Naidu along with the other senior state officials and FWDA leadership. 

Set to become the nation's first full spectrum autonomous combat aircraft hub, the upcoming facility will enable end to end research and development, design, assembly, testing and systems integration. Aligned with the vision of Aatmanirbhar Bharat and Make in India initiative, the program aims to accelerate indigenous manufacturing and technological self-reliance in critical military platforms and reduce the dependence on foreign systems. 

Speaking on the occasion, Suhas Tejaskanda, Founder and CEO of Flying Wedge Defence and Aerospace, said, “We are honoured to partner with the government of Andhra Pradesh to establish India’s first dedicated manufacturing and testing facility for autonomous combat aircraft. This understanding will not only create high value employment but will also catalyse an entire ecosystem of skilled talent, component suppliers, and academic collaborations in the region.” 

This MoU strengthens Andhra Pradesh’s emergence as a strategic centre for next-generation defence and aerospace manufacturing and reaffirms India’s growing capability in developing AI-led defence systems, swarm intelligence platforms, and advanced unmanned aerial vehicles.  

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The announcement also aligns with the defence reforms introduced earlier this year, which placed emphasis on deeper Government-Private partnerships in strengthening India’s defence industrial base. It stands as a timely demonstration of that vision, translating policy into on-ground capability and long-term national advantage.